Italy is a favorite country of fashionistas from around the world and, without exaggeration, is called the capital of fashion. Every day, crowds of tourists come to this sunny country to wander around fashion boutiques and update their wardrobe. About where to go better, where to buy and what to bring from shopping in Italy, read our article.
Benefits of Shopping in Italy
Choosing a place for budget shopping in a warm country, many immediately remember about Italy. And not in vain, because it is the Italian boutiques that are famous for their excellent quality and style. And the best part is that even in the most famous stores, clothing prices differ markedly from prices in several European countries. In general, this difference is quite impressive, in Italy the cost of things is 20-25% lower. The country is famous for its huge number of outlets, where prices, depending on the time of year, are an order of magnitude lower. In the sales season there are incredible discounts reaching up to 80% of the total cost of the products. And all this with a huge assortment, which is in Italian stores. Just a shopaholic's paradise!
Tours to Italy
Not so long ago, travel agencies began to organize shopping tours to Italy. Their essence is that everyone can organizedly visit this wonderful country in order to replenish the wardrobe and have a good time. This approach allows people who do not have the skills to organize travel to shop in comfort. Typically, shopping tours in Italy include: flight, insurance, hotel accommodation, a shopping program with visits to boutiques, a Russian-speaking guide. Which city to go to? How to choose a shopping tour in Italy? Read about it later.
Self-guided tours
Those who have a little command of travel skills can be recommended to go on independent shopping tours to Italy. This is also suitable if you know exactly which boutiques you want to visit. To organize a tour on your own, you need to get a visa, book a hotel closer to the place where you intend to shop, purchase a plane ticket. After identifying all the boutiques you need, create the exact route on the map. So it will be easier for you to navigate and not to forget anything.
Opening hours of boutiques in Italy
In Italy, there is a time for rest in the middle of the working day, namely from 13 to 15 hours. At this time, all shops and shops are closed, so that people can gain strength to finalize until the evening. Most stores open quite early, at 8 or 9 in the morning. However, they also close early, at 19.00. Such a measured and relaxed lifestyle is inherent in all cities of Italy. This slightly surprises the inhabitants of other countries who find themselves in sunny Italy. Italians categorically do not work on Sunday. On this day, absolutely all outlets are closed. Therefore, if you plan to go shopping in Italy for 3 days, then be careful and choose weekdays.
Also, two weeks before September, that is, in mid-August, Italy seemed to turn off. At this time, not only shops and offices, but also other institutions do not work. This is because Italians go on vacation to the sea.
Sales: large and small
Before buying a shopping tour to Italy, thoroughly study the time when the largest sales take place. Their time does not differ from that in other European countries. Summer: July 1 - August 15, winter: January 1 - February 28. Specific dates may vary slightly, but not significantly. First, mass-market stores discount prices for clothes and shoes by 15-20%, and at the end of sales the discount reaches 80%. Unfortunately, expensive boutiques do not reduce the cost of products by more than 20%, and they simply send all the leftovers to outlets. And already in outlet centers, these things are sold at half the price. The most expensive of branded boutiques often do not arrange sales at all.
For those who like to bargain and “get a discount”, Italy is not the best option. It is not customary to bargain here. If only in small private shops.
Going on a shopping tour to Italy, be prepared for the fact that in the seasons of sales there are always a large number of people. Therefore, be patient in advance with patience and a light snack, anticipating huge lines at the cash desk and fitting rooms.
Shopping in Rome
The capital of Italy is ideal for those who do not expect to spend a huge amount of money in this country. Because people go to this city not for luxury clothes, but for the mass market.
Be sure to pay attention to leather products: bags, shoes and belts. It is not at all necessary to go after them to shopping centers. It will be much more exciting and cheaper to go for leather goods to the local market. There you can bargain and find unique products. The cost of a bag or pair of genuine leather shoes starts from 50 euros.
People often go to Rome for fur coats. For example, for 1000 euros you can buy a decent fur coat from a little-known designer. For a price of 10,000 euros or more, you can already claim a fur coat from a famous fashion house.
Cheese, jerky, wine and olive oil are brought from Rome. You can buy them at any local store or in the same market.
Shopping in Milan
More often, lovers of well-dressed clothes go to the very heart of the fashion industry - Milan. People come here who want to buy clothes of higher standards: Armani, Versace, Gucci, Prada, etc. And the assortment of such stores as Mango, HM, Zara, simply amazes with its variety, unlike the same stores in Russia. Therefore, for those who arrive on a shopping tour to Italy from Moscow and St. Petersburg, already familiar shops open on a completely different side.
In fact, shopping in Milan can be very, very diverse. It all depends on your financial capabilities and love for brands. It is worth buying leather goods, shoes, evening and wedding dresses, hats in Milan.
A great gift for yourself or a loved one will be a scarf bought in Milan. The Italians know a lot about wearing this accessory and wear it with pleasure. You can go to any market to buy a scarf, there you will see a huge selection and you can save a little.
For a branded and super-fashionable fur coat, also come to Milan. It is best to bypass the boutiques, since the prices there will only suit the wives of millionaires. But in the outlet you can buy a branded designer fur coat for quite reasonable money. Prices generally start from 2,000 euros for faux fur, from 3,000 for natural fur. Mink or fox coat will cost you 4000-6000 euros. The most popular outlet centers in Milan are Dmagazine and Serravalle Design.
Shops are located at every step. Therefore, you are unlikely to wander for a long time in search of the right thing for shopping in Milan. All tours to Italy cover the most popular tourist streets with boutiques.
Shopping in Florence
According to the Italians themselves, Florence is the most beautiful city in their country. Therefore, combining walks in this beautiful place of the planet and shopping is a good decision.
But Florence itself is not very profitable in terms of shopping. Prices here are slightly higher than in Milan and Rome. Mostly people come here for jewelry, delicious wine and cheese, large leather goods.
Luxury shops with jewelry are assembled on Tornabuoni Street. And just an hour away from the city you can enjoy beautiful views and buy clothes made of genuine leather of very large sizes (60-64 size). The Facimp factory is located in Empoli and is considered one of the best in Florence.
Florence has a large number of antique shops. Antique vases, dishes, watches, personal items and more, will be a wonderful gift for mom or lovers of antiques.
Going to Florence, pay attention to cosmetic stores. They run promotions and often have big discounts. If you want to buy Versace or Prada toilet water, then it is wiser to do it in the country of its manufacturer, i.e. in Italy. Thus, you protect yourself from fakes and delight yourself with a wonderful aroma from Italian designers.
Speaking of fakes. Be careful and do not buy fakes of famous brands from street vendors. According to the laws of Italy, for the desire to save, you can pay a pretty impressive fine. Miser pays twice.