RT2015

Hi all,
Have just arrived in Firenze and love it! I'm wondering if I should do most of my shopping here or wait for Rome? I think here for leather bags. But I want to buy my 19 year old son some clothes. Can you please suggest for me? I don't want to spend all my money here as I still have Rome, But Paris and London to go. I will be in Paris from August 1 and London from August 7.

Thanks,
RT

kja

Last place out -- keep your luggage light!

f1racegirl

Over the years I've been more disappointed that I didn't buy something early on, because I couldn't find something similar later.

bilboburgler

It depends... if you want Branded goods then wait for Rome, London or travel to Bicester.

If you want the best leather goods then buy in Florence, but not on the bridge, walk away from the duomo, over the bridge and look in the shops on the far side, some wonderful quality in the very small shops that open there. Don't get picked up by a man in the street whose cousin runs a shop

Remember, having a brand in leather means you have to pay for the marketing, so the quality/value is destroyed.

sandralist

Leather is not sold on the Ponte Vecchio (jewelry is). If you are thinking of buying serious quality Italian leather goods, spend a few minutes online looking up the options. Just do a google search for "shopping quality leather stores Florence Firenze" and you should be able to find a list of the top stores and makers, some of whom are not internationally known but are very high quality. If you are looking for bargains, you should be aware that most lower-priced leather in Firenze and Rome is not Italian made and is of much lower quality. That might not be important if you like the style, but you may discover that dyes bleed, seams split, etc.

I happen to think shopping is lot more fun and easier than in London, but if your 19 year old son has some specific tastes in designer-label clothes, you might find those are cheaper in London.

Overall I agree that if you see something you want to buy, then it is often hard to find it elsewhere later.

RT2015

Will the sales still be on in London mid August?

sandralist

Sorry I don't know the answer to that question (no doubt somebody does) but wanted to be clearer about something that I wrote, which is that I think it is more fun to shop in Florence than it is in London -- but I've never gone looking for clothes for a 19 year old guy. Also, if your son wears larger sizes, they are going to much easier to find in London than in Italy or France.

nytraveler

Where to shop depends completely on what you want to buy. For leather I would definitely do Florence or Rome - unless you want to buy uber expensive top designers then go for Paris. Do not even look at leather in London - but if looking for sweaters or tweeds or British specifics (Burberry) shop there.

For silk scarves you can try Italy but France usually has more interesting options - but many at higher price points.

And if size matters do check on what is usual - Italian and french sizes are mostly for the slender and not specially tall (my 6'2" brother had a hell of a time finding a leather jacket in Florence).

RT2015

Thanks all. Definitely leather in Florence. I'd like some clothes for my son so am thinking London or Rome. He is into skater wear. I also wouldn't mind some superdry if on sale in London still.

Cathinjoetown

Bilbo is steering you in the right direction, there are some nice, small shops over the bridge on the way to the Pitti Palace. Wish I could be more specific. The shop where I bought two bags didn't have knock-offs but good quality bags in "the style of" Botega Venata, for example.

denisea

If you something you love, buy it where you see it. You may not be able to get in later and waiting for something better to come along usually ends in disappointment. Enjoy!

RT2015

Thanks so much everyone! I agree to buy what you love when you find it. We are near Borgo Pinti and haven't been able to find a better leather store than one near but only walked as far as the ponte vecchio last night so will check out the Pitti Palace. Couldn't agree more on paying for branding - not interested in labels most of the time!

You're right kja about shopping in last place to keep luggage light but I ruined that in San Sebastián - my second of 10 stops! Glad I travelled light in the first place!

annhig

Will the sales still be on in London mid August?>>

oh yes. the best stuff may be gone of course but if you aren't too picky [or aren't shopping for someone who is] you should be able to pick up a bargain or two.

but I agree that that shouldn't stop you looking for something as you travel. As others have already said, in Florence the "Oltrarno" area [south of the Arno] is a good place to look [i bought my son a very smart shirt in a shop opposite the Pitti Palace] and I recall a very nice leather shop at the top of that road on the right just as you come over the bridge. Another possibility is in the locals' shops along the via del Croce/ via Pietrapiana [the further you go away from the centre, the less touristy it gets].

generally my advice would be - if you see something you like and can afford it, get it - you may not see anything like it again!

flpab

You can find superdry in Rome, will be cheaper than London.

NewbE

< The shop where I bought two bags didn't have knock-offs but good quality bags in "the style of" Botega Venata, for example.>
LOL. "In the style of" IS a knockoff! You're into labels, you just don't want to pay what they cost. (Not to mention that Bottega Veneta is famous for no visible name branding.)

Cathinjoetown

I totally disagree.

Botega Venata, the example I used, does not have a patent on woven leather which was the style of the bag I purchased. If you consider THAT a knock off then everything you are wearing is a knock off because somewhere, at some time, someone designed it for the first time.

I'm not particularly "in to" labels but when I've wanted a Hermès scarf or a Louis Vuitton bag, I've bought originials. I'm "in to" woven leather, or was at the time.

Quit making stupid assumptions.

aliced

Agree with Cathinjotown, I purchased a gorgeous black and brown woven leather bag few years ago in Venice at a small leather shop -- it was a similar style to the small woven of Bottega Venetta. No, it wasn't a knock off at all. I love it. You, NewbE are perhaps not a handbag affectionado as am I. Going to France shortly. Planning to purchase Louis Vuitton at substantial savings of same styles here in States. If you read the papers at all, with the Euro so low, and with VAT refund at 21%, lines are forming at luxury retailers. What I suggest RT2015 is look up a brand your son likes and check the European websites, say in Harrods and at Galeries Lafayette to check prices in euros; if they are lower, buy them there; if they're lower here in the states, buy something else. You would probably do best buying French brands in France, Italian brands in Italy, etc. Do your research before you go and have a blast. We bring a LeSportsac folded-up tote to drag home our souvenirs.

WeisserTee

I've seen a few brands make bags in the style of BV, and they're quite attractive, I don't consider them a knock-off of the brand (Abro is one good brand that springs to mind and they're not a knock-off brand. Popular in Switzerland: http://www.abro.de/en/Collection/Bags/). Not cheap, but considerably less expensive than BV.

That said, I still think BV woven bags are superior to the "in the style of" makers. I haven't come across one that really matches the BV quality. Just my opinion.

Cathinjoetown

Of course BV is superior, as is their price.

All you have to do is google "woven leather handbags" and hundreds of examples appear. To me, a knock-off is something that deliberately copies or closely imitates an item's logo, signaure monogram, etc. with the intention to deceive.

Calling the bag I purchased a knock off is like saying my "little black dress" is a Chanel knock-off. Just silly.

WeisserTee

"Of course BV is superior, as is their price." Yes, I know, I was tempted by an Abro bag this year, but decided to splurge and get the large BV Olimpia with the new, longer double chain instead. I didn't consider the Abro a knock-off.

I do think there can be a fine line between an "hommage" to or "in the style of" a designer label and a knock-off. I can walk through a department store and almost immediately tell which designer the store brands are imitating (Balenciaga City bag imitations are popular at the moment in the Manor department stores. They're not fakes, they don't carry a faux Balenciaga label, but it's very obvious what bag they're trying to be.). And Michael Kors skates on thin ice when you compare some of "his" saffiano totes to Prada's.