Can I get upscale Italian fashions cheaper in Florence?
Jan 25th, 2004, 04:16 PM
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Can I get upscale Italian fashions cheaper in Florence?
I will be in Florence in April and I have a huge desire to purchase a couple special designers Prada, Dolce, etc. and I am wondering if the prices are more reasonable in Italy? Please any advice. Thanks.
Jan 25th, 2004, 05:13 PM
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A friend I was with dragged me into the Prada store in Rome as she wanted to buy another pair of shoes and also a bag similar to ones she had bought a few weeks before at Prada in New York. She was shocked as both items and others she compared were nearly double in cost from the Prada store in New York!
Jan 25th, 2004, 05:29 PM
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Thanks to the Euro, nothing is cheaper in Italy. The Italians desperately want the Lira back as they are really suffering from the Euro economy. We run into Italians and all Europeans at the outlets here in So. Cal. They can get a polo shirt here for $35 that is $150 in Italy. Sorry...it used to be cheaper!
Jan 25th, 2004, 05:46 PM
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You need a little "insider" info here if you want to continue to wear great designer duds at acceptable prices. There is a store outside of Florence (about 12 miles) called Clara going towards Bagno a Ripoli. You will find it in the Florence Yellow Pages. Clara is an 83 year old woman who owns the Max Mara stores and Marina Rinaldi stores in Florence amongst other things. She is a completely self made woman who started selling bits and bobs from an outdoor stand in a market spuare. Her store - Clara is like her own personal outlet. Don't be fooled, it is huge and very very nice. She offers a fantastic selection of ALL designers, lots of samples, some shoes & bags too. The sales staff will insist on helping you, but only a few speak English and they are not on comission by the way. The name may have been changed to Lori, her last name, after the big remodel. This is insider info and this is where all the Florentine men and women go in order to be able to look so stylish. I can provide you with the address next time I talk to my MIL in Florence. There is something for everyone, but I have found that as in all of ITaly, smaller sizes rule.
Feb 21st, 2006, 04:12 AM
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Feb 21st, 2006, 04:27 AM
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Feb 21st, 2006, 04:39 AM
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Steve,
What a wealth of information!!! It is already printed and packed to go...I will pass along that we visited the Valdichiana Village last fall on our way to Sinalunga and found it to be disappointing...glad we had not made a special trip...Thank you again !!
What a wealth of information!!! It is already printed and packed to go...I will pass along that we visited the Valdichiana Village last fall on our way to Sinalunga and found it to be disappointing...glad we had not made a special trip...Thank you again !!
Feb 21st, 2006, 05:28 AM
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I shopped in Florence in January, 2006 and prices are definitely lower than in New York City at the designer stores. Not by all that much, but certainly lower than NYC. You also will pay no tax in Florence and will get back the VAT if you spend enough. The clothing is still very expensive, obviously.
Aug 19th, 2006, 07:23 PM
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Yes, Steve listed the correct website for Lori (it used to be called Clara's) As I said before, it is where all the local Florentines buy all the latest fashions at a fraction of the cost that you will pay in the center of town.
