SST

Just got back from Rome last night, thought I might just give all fashion conscious ladies a tip. <BR> <BR>Every shop windows are displaying dresses, blouses or jackets in all shades of purple. The Italian women wore only dresses, suits, tops with pants or skirts, sometime with jackets; younger women wore jeans or capri pants, with T shirt or tops; not a single pairs of shorts in sight. Accessories like scarves, belts, shoes and handbags were beautifully co-ordinated. They all managed to look elegant and stylish. <BR> <BR>Pack only your walking shoes and buy those beautiful made shoes there. I bought three pairs; mules, sandals and heels, I could have bought more. One not too expensive shop called Ballons near Piazza Spanga(spanish steps) is just wonderful. Bought two silk knitted tops(one lilac and the other silvery blue) , a pair of white linen pants and a navy blue slip dress, all for 160,000 lires. <BR> <BR>One note of caution, pick pockets are well and alive in Rome. I saw two attempts on the metro. The first incident involved three gypsy women blocked the intended victim's way to get out of the metro and using the babies in arm as shield to open the purse, fortunately, the victim's companion saw it and screamed and pushed them away. This woman from Iowa was rather shaken by the experience. The other incident involved two neatly dressed men blocked a tourist from getting off the metro , amid the pushings, one of the pick pockets went through the intended victim's pocket(pants). Fortunately too, there was nothing in the pocket other than a soiled hanky. So, be alert. <BR> <BR>We were in the line for one and half hours before gained entrance to Vatican museo. It's last Sunday of the month(the musuem usually closes on Sunday), the entrance to the musuem was free so there was a long line. We arrived at the end of the line around 8.45 am. Once we got through the security, the line moved quite quickly. We came out the musuem around twelve, the line wasn't that long then. <BR> <BR>We went to the standard touristy places like Forum, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Colosseo, villa Borghese, Capitol hill and Trastevere. Enjoyed them all. <BR>

Brian in Atlanta

We noticed a lot of shades of violet in store windows in Belgium and Paris last week too. I imagine that this will be all the rage in the states in a year or so.

chrissy

I wonder now, contrary to early postings the newest thing I see posted is the Sistine Chapel is less crowded after noon.

Lynne

Darn! I have to unpack and go and buy <BR>mauve! Let's get real here - are the <BR>shoes worth carrying an extra suitcase <BR>for - and what are the prices like? <BR> <BR>Color me non-purple, <BR>Thanks!

alta

Ahhh... now this is useful information. It sounds like you had a great teip. I'm thinking of going to Italy with my suitcase half-empty. Where did you go shoe-shopping in Rome?

Purple Haze

Lucky for me. I saved all my clothes from the sixties and my purple pant suit is ready to go. Strange thing is, it was already packed.

angel

Hey, some of us have always lived in purple!! <BR>

SST

Lynne <BR> <BR>Yes, yes, yes. The shoes are slightly expensive compared to clothings. But they are beautifully made. The design, don't get me start on this one, is out of this world. I went slightly over the top for one pair and paid 300,000. <BR>You can get a nice pair for around 90,000. <BR> <BR>Alta <BR>I shopped around the Spanish Steps area and Via Veneto. Window shop at Via Frattina and Via Condutti. Saturday afternoon is good for watching the locals doing their shopping.

Lynne

SST: <BR>My toes are curling in anticipation! <BR>Thanks!