I'll be in Rome and Venice with my 16 and 13 year-old daughters later this month and am looking for affordable clothing, jewelry, and souvenir shops that would be of interests to teenage girls.

Any recommendations?

In Venice there are some bead stores where they can buy individual glass beads and make their own jewelry. There are also a ton of stores catering to clothes for their age group. You can also try the larger department stores like Coin that are not as expensive as the smaller boutique shops. Also shop around the Strada Nuova that caters more to venetians and the prices are way better!
Have fun!

In Rome, there are alot of trendy clothing shops between the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain.

In Rome, take them to Via del Corso where there are many shops they will like including Miss Sixty Jeans.

Hi newestraveler,

If you go to Murano there's a shop to the left of the Museo vaporetto stop that has lots of inexpensive beads. You can buy the beads and a leather rope to put them on and the woman in the shop will make up a necklace or earings while you wait.

Be sure to take them to Lush in Venice. It is on the main street on the way to train station on the right.

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I especially appreciate the recommendations for specific shops and stores. Keep 'em comming.

I have read that there are a lot of trendy (and expensive) stores around the Spanish Steps in Rome. The guide books make it sound like this is a good area for window shopping but not necessarily for buying. Are there other areas that my daughters might enjoy, and where their (or more accurately - their dad's) hard earned euros may go a little further?

I have read that the Campo dei Fiori area caters more to locals than tourists, and may be more affordable. Anybody have a favorite shop in this area?

I am going to Rome on Friday and compiled this list of stores, which I got from a different website.

Also, There is an outlet-type store selling leather, located just NE of the Vatican. It's listed in the Lonely Planet Rome guide, but I don't have it with me now in the office to get the address. Maybe someone can post it for you.

Discount Stores:

RomeDi Nicola, Viale Mazzini 159, open 9-13, 15:30-19:30, closed Sunday and Monday morning You'll find clothes discounted up to 40% by Cerruti, Loro Piana, Laura Biagiotti, Istante (Versace) and others, as well as a good assortment of clothes for children up to 12 years. Baby jeans are outlined in suede, the latest ski outfits and infant clothes from last season are 50% off.
Discount System, Via del Viminale 35, tel: 39-06-4746545 This shop probably has the best selection of last season's name-brand clothes (Azedine Alaia, Ralph Lauren, Rifat Ozbek, Prada) as well as shoes, belts, scarves, hats, and sweaters. "I got that great Ralph Lauren striped Mexican jacket for $160," (Barbara Lessona). Readers have sent us good reports about this shop.

Il Discount delle Firme, Via dei Serviti 27 Pretty good assortment but again, it's the luck of the draw. Discount of 50% off the original retail price for famous designers as well as handbags, luggage, shoes, gloves, umbrellas, perfume, and lingerie.

Discount dell'Alta Moda, Via di Gesu e Maria 16, tel: 39-06-3613796 Again, it's the luck of the draw, you may find something you can't live without at an incredible price, but then again, you may not.

Leoni Limentani, Via Portico d'Ottavia 47, tel: 39-06-6540686 Is located in the heart of Rome's Jewish quarter. This warehouse of crystal, china (including Richard Ginori), and other housewares is incredible, where Roman matrons go to replace broken plates or indulge in new ones at up to 30% discount from the fancy downtown shops. You take a number and wait for somebody to escort you through the caverns which are a veritable treasure trove. They also have crystal, stainless steel, flatware, and pots and pans. Across the street they have an elegant shop where brides can choose their marriage lists, it's worth taking a look for the beautifuly set tables.

Messi Una Volta, Via Salaria 92 (Piazza Fiume near La Rinascente), tel: 39-06-8411374 Sells "gently" used children's clothes, and since Italians spend a lot of money dressing their children, and kids grow fast many of the garments look like new. Some names you'll find are Gap, Next, Levi's, Ralph Lauren, and Osh Kosh.

Moda DocSocieta' Bezabea, Via B. Gosio 116, 00191, tel: 39-06-3338207 Only women's clothes Genny, Versace, Complice, Iceberg, Prada, Anna Sui (whose line is made in Italy). There's a good variety of sizes including up to 18, clothes available from the current seasons, and those from previous season are even more heavily discounted. Men's and women's shoes from Casadei, Samsonite, Sergio and Rossi.


Vesti a Stock, Via Germanico 170/A Last seasons' fashion names at 50% off in most sizes including 16, selections from this season's samples only in size 10-12. Women's designer names include Armani, Mani, Krizia, Trussardi, Moschino, Dolce e Gabbana, and Max Mara. Men's clothes (samples are Italia size 48) include Ugo Boss, Ungaro Classic, Versace, Trussardi, Moschino, and Dolce & Gabbana. From time to time they carry accessories and shoes for men and women.

The shops around the Spanish Steps are indeed mostly expensive and good window shopping. In the Via Babbuino, there are two amazing shops; do go in to have a look. One is Leonora (coming from the Steps, on your right) and the other is Tad (on the left, coming from the Steps). There are some less expensive shops in the area as well, such as the Expensive shops (NOT expensive!). There is another one called Onyx (via del Corso 132). Sometimes the shops in that area are not as expensive as you might think. I went into a shop just off the Via Frattina (road I think is called Via Gambero) and bought some things in a small shop called Catenella; very good value, skirts around 39 euros. Some nice hip mini dresses, leather jackets too. And have a look for gloves; lots of places selling them, and quite good value too.

I am interested in this thread too so keep the ideas coming.

Your teenagers might enjoy the Flea Markets in either city. In Venice, there is one after you cross the Rialto Bridge coming from San Marco. Lots of fun stuff and not expensive. I'm not sure if it is everyday, but you can check at your hotel. There is one right next to Saint John Lateran in Rome, I think only on Saturday, and one on Sunday at the Porto Portese. You are not going to find Versace, but you might have fun and see lots of local color.

I live near Rome and I usually go to Rome to do my fashion shopping. I find the area around Via del Corso pretty expensive (via Condotti, Via del Babbuino, Via Frattina) being this the place of designers like Gucci, Armani, Cartier, Bulgari etc. On Via del Corso you will be able to find more affordable shops of any kind, from Disney store to Ricordi Media store (for cds), from Energy (fashion) to Rinascente (a large dept. store). And then Body shop, Limoni perfume shop, and lots of shoe shops and fashion shops. The Termini Station Forum is also ok, having it Benetton fashion shop (at the upper level), Calzedonia (for trendy socks and panty hoses), Edam, Bottega verde and Sephora (for perfumes and cosmetics), and bijoux shops....

When I was in Rome 2 years ago I had my 14 and 12 year old daughters with me. We stayed at a hotel near the Vatican. There was a street called Via Candia which had a lot of clothing shops that they found plenty of styles they liked at great prices. When I went back there last March with my 24 year old daughter I took her there and she loved it also.

My children are 16 and 14 and they didn't find anything to buy. The clothes are better here in the States. Linen is very big in Italy, so if you like linen, you will be able to find something. Everything is very expensive. My daughter (14) did buy a pair of capris for a mere $65 (ridiculous).

Tagging this thread for later use.

ttt

clothing in Italy is cut very short. The larger the pants size, the bigger the waist but no extra length. I'm 5'9" and usually a size 8 in the US. All the pants were capris on me!

I'm following this thread with great interest. Though I don't have teenage daughters, I do have a young wife who likes fashionable yet affordable clothing. All the information provided so far has been great. Any more suggestions for Venice & Rome? Any tips for shopping in Florence?

I'm 32 and just returned from Rome, Florence and Siena and didn't find a single piece of clothing in an Italian store despite trying very hard. However, I like the French chain, Etam, which is in the Termini station in Rome. I think they have another location but I don't know where. I did find quite a few high end things but passed. Slander, I loved the leather market in Florence, if your wife is an accessories person, be like my husband, grab a USA today and park yourself in a cafe until she's done shopping!

Thanks for the tip on the leather market in Florence swalter. I'll plan to make myself comfortable.