Should I shop in Firenze or Roma? Or Paris or London?!
Jul 26th, 2015, 02:57 PM
#21
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My, such passionate defenses! Methinks I hit a nerve.
Simple test: ask Bottega Veneta's designer (is it still Maier?) or its corporate owner , Gucci Group, if that bag you bought--you know, the one that looks just like BV but isn't--is a knockoff.
The reality of the fashion industry is that these high quality knockoffs threaten luxury brands' bottom lines far more than street vendors do.
Simple test: ask Bottega Veneta's designer (is it still Maier?) or its corporate owner , Gucci Group, if that bag you bought--you know, the one that looks just like BV but isn't--is a knockoff.
The reality of the fashion industry is that these high quality knockoffs threaten luxury brands' bottom lines far more than street vendors do.
Jul 26th, 2015, 03:11 PM
#23
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"Oh, here's another test: would you have wanted that look alike woven leather tote were it not for BV's cache? Doubtful."
I wouldn't jump to that assumption about anybody's choice. I admired the woven look in bags long before I even knew what BV was. Maybe it traces back to all that lanyard weaving in summer camp ;-)
I wouldn't jump to that assumption about anybody's choice. I admired the woven look in bags long before I even knew what BV was. Maybe it traces back to all that lanyard weaving in summer camp ;-)
Jul 26th, 2015, 05:33 PM
#24
Agreeing with cathie, alice, weisser.
I bought a gorgeous woven Furla tote bag in Florence's Furla shop: cobalt and black, reversible. Does anyone really think Furla is copying BV? Does no other manufacturer get to use woven leather? Is Furla making knockoffs?
To the OP, I agree-->over to the other side of the Arno for the local shops. I bought a couple of leather items over there, one Boho style woven for my young DIL, and a multicolor wallet.
I bought a gorgeous woven Furla tote bag in Florence's Furla shop: cobalt and black, reversible. Does anyone really think Furla is copying BV? Does no other manufacturer get to use woven leather? Is Furla making knockoffs?
To the OP, I agree-->over to the other side of the Arno for the local shops. I bought a couple of leather items over there, one Boho style woven for my young DIL, and a multicolor wallet.
Jul 26th, 2015, 07:23 PM
#25
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<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.>
That is a very self-serving definition.
While it's true that the line can be grey within the fashion industry itself, anyone who leaves the beaten path for the purpose of spending less money to buy a bag that looks *exactly* like a designer bag, but isn't, is seeking a knockoff.
Not that there's anything wrong with that. It's the hypocrisy I object to.
That is a very self-serving definition.
While it's true that the line can be grey within the fashion industry itself, anyone who leaves the beaten path for the purpose of spending less money to buy a bag that looks *exactly* like a designer bag, but isn't, is seeking a knockoff.
Not that there's anything wrong with that. It's the hypocrisy I object to.
Jul 26th, 2015, 09:23 PM
#26
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"You can find superdry in Rome, will be cheaper than London."
Can't imagine why. Italian VAT's higher than British, and even buying through self-styled "duty free" deals, the admin cost of these programmes almost always makes buying globalised brands in Europe still pricier than buying in the US anyway.
Why ask us anyway? Just check Superdry.it against superdry.com set for a UK address - then set Superdry.com for a US address, and compare all three sets of prices against Superdry prices on the US version of Amazon Fashion. Though why bother, when your 19 yo is likely to be far more nimble at it than you are?
What you can't buy for your son in the US - or in Italy - though, is Primark or the full Topshop for Men range (most quickly accessed along Oxford St if you can stand it), the extraordinary range of oddities in street fashion clusters like Carnaby St or Spitalfields Market or the chainified versions of mass-market "English" tailoring along Jermyn St .
If you're over 25, shopping for trend-following young men in London can't possibly be described as fun: the world's youth fashion capital is just too crowded with youth chasing fashion. It's highly unlikely you've got the foggiest idea what a 19 yo will want anyway, and if you want to give him your idea of "European" clothes, your friendly neighbourhood mall will have a Polo Ralph Lauren shop offering it faster, cheaper and with far fewer other people competing for sales staff attention.
Most of the good youth-oriented stuff in Britain can't be found online or outside the British Isles. Try experiencing the dubious pleasures of shopping for it with the other millions and you'll probably decide to pay for your kid to do it himself next time. But, as we once put it: London's where it's at.
Can't imagine why. Italian VAT's higher than British, and even buying through self-styled "duty free" deals, the admin cost of these programmes almost always makes buying globalised brands in Europe still pricier than buying in the US anyway.
Why ask us anyway? Just check Superdry.it against superdry.com set for a UK address - then set Superdry.com for a US address, and compare all three sets of prices against Superdry prices on the US version of Amazon Fashion. Though why bother, when your 19 yo is likely to be far more nimble at it than you are?
What you can't buy for your son in the US - or in Italy - though, is Primark or the full Topshop for Men range (most quickly accessed along Oxford St if you can stand it), the extraordinary range of oddities in street fashion clusters like Carnaby St or Spitalfields Market or the chainified versions of mass-market "English" tailoring along Jermyn St .
If you're over 25, shopping for trend-following young men in London can't possibly be described as fun: the world's youth fashion capital is just too crowded with youth chasing fashion. It's highly unlikely you've got the foggiest idea what a 19 yo will want anyway, and if you want to give him your idea of "European" clothes, your friendly neighbourhood mall will have a Polo Ralph Lauren shop offering it faster, cheaper and with far fewer other people competing for sales staff attention.
Most of the good youth-oriented stuff in Britain can't be found online or outside the British Isles. Try experiencing the dubious pleasures of shopping for it with the other millions and you'll probably decide to pay for your kid to do it himself next time. But, as we once put it: London's where it's at.
Jul 26th, 2015, 11:40 PM
#27
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Thanks everyone.
I appreciate everyone is passionate on here but let's keep it nice! I merely asked if people have opinions on shopping and am glad for the responses, so thank you.
However, I'm not from the USA, I'm Australian.
Many thanks again,
RT
I appreciate everyone is passionate on here but let's keep it nice! I merely asked if people have opinions on shopping and am glad for the responses, so thank you.
However, I'm not from the USA, I'm Australian.
Many thanks again,
RT
Jul 27th, 2015, 12:48 AM
#28
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What do you mean "the beaten path"? This shop is lovely, on the main road leading to the Pitti Palace. Much better quality that the open-air markets in Florence.
I repeat, BV does not have an exclusive on woven leather. i also had a higher-end woven leather bag from Saks. Must be sure to get on to Get on that maker's and Saks' case right away for knocking off BV.
But, I'm done defending myself. God forbid, newB, that anyone uses the phrase "looks like or in the style of" around you. Retract your claws.
Oh, and it was Dior who first designed the little black dress, my mistake. I love Chanel-style collar-less jackets but guess I should, according to newB, no longer buy those unless they are really Chanel.
I repeat, BV does not have an exclusive on woven leather. i also had a higher-end woven leather bag from Saks. Must be sure to get on to Get on that maker's and Saks' case right away for knocking off BV.
But, I'm done defending myself. God forbid, newB, that anyone uses the phrase "looks like or in the style of" around you. Retract your claws.
Oh, and it was Dior who first designed the little black dress, my mistake. I love Chanel-style collar-less jackets but guess I should, according to newB, no longer buy those unless they are really Chanel.
Jul 27th, 2015, 01:08 AM
#29
Moving on from the passion...
This whole area, as suggested, is full of little workshops leading up to the roman gate, well worth a walk around when the shutters are up (so 7 to 12 am or 4 to 8pm) see little gilders, book binders, stone carvers, hat makers, you can also pop into the odd church. If you find the walking to far, there are even very narrow buses (not kidding) that seem to just... fit through the narrow street.
This whole area, as suggested, is full of little workshops leading up to the roman gate, well worth a walk around when the shutters are up (so 7 to 12 am or 4 to 8pm) see little gilders, book binders, stone carvers, hat makers, you can also pop into the odd church. If you find the walking to far, there are even very narrow buses (not kidding) that seem to just... fit through the narrow street.
Jul 27th, 2015, 06:59 AM
#30
NewBe, you are misunderstanding what Cathinjoetown said.
Her woven bag reminds her of BV not that she's buying a copycat. My Sonia Rykiel dress reminds me of a Chanel.
Does my quilted Balenciaga handbag copying Chanel.
Some posters drive away the good guys.
Her woven bag reminds her of BV not that she's buying a copycat. My Sonia Rykiel dress reminds me of a Chanel.
Does my quilted Balenciaga handbag copying Chanel.
Some posters drive away the good guys.
Jul 27th, 2015, 11:04 PM
#31
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I love Fodorites for their helpfulness and I understand people get passionate about ideas and opinions but it is kind of funny that people get caught up about such little things. And feel the need to cut others down. I will ignore those! Particularly when the best experiences of my trip are of hearing the stories of locals ... Locals whose lives are far removed from the issues of branding and style. Yes I asked about shopping. And yep I've shopped. But let's not think it is such an important thing that we need to take others apart over it. It's only a handbag! And again, yes I bought several and I started this post, so obviously I care and wanted opinions.
Anyway, so I found the most divine boutiques down Via Del Croce and a street over from it, on the extension of it basically. Bizarrely we stumbled upon a gorgeous coffee shop there and I was sitting there - drinking coffee as good as I find in Melbourne - when I read the post here mentioning the street. A lovely coincidence. So we window shopped at first and went to Forte Belvedere, so when we got to the Pitti Palace area everything was closed. We planned to come back after we went back to Via del Croce but we ended up spending too much money there so I never made it back! I bought four pairs of shoes and a jacket and pants for my son. We found a leather shop one street back from Borgo Pinti - I will find the name of it later.
Many thanks everyone! Roma is next!
Anyway, so I found the most divine boutiques down Via Del Croce and a street over from it, on the extension of it basically. Bizarrely we stumbled upon a gorgeous coffee shop there and I was sitting there - drinking coffee as good as I find in Melbourne - when I read the post here mentioning the street. A lovely coincidence. So we window shopped at first and went to Forte Belvedere, so when we got to the Pitti Palace area everything was closed. We planned to come back after we went back to Via del Croce but we ended up spending too much money there so I never made it back! I bought four pairs of shoes and a jacket and pants for my son. We found a leather shop one street back from Borgo Pinti - I will find the name of it later.
Many thanks everyone! Roma is next!
Jul 28th, 2015, 10:24 AM
#36
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And just found the la Rinascente on Corsa d'Italia near Borghese gardens! My friend and I bought sunglasses with a second pair for €50 deal! Any local tips would be welcome, especially for bargains!
Thanks,
RT
Thanks,
RT
Jul 28th, 2015, 08:28 PM
#37
There's a shop kitty corner from the train station that sells seed packets at quite reasonable prices -- they make nice (and very light weight) gifts for herb/kitchen gardeners back home.
My friend and I liked shopping at Pylones -- actually a French chain but good cheap fun.
My friend and I liked shopping at Pylones -- actually a French chain but good cheap fun.
Jul 28th, 2015, 09:23 PM
#38
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RT2015 - love your comment about Melbourne coffee - so true !!!
anw- Australians and New Zealanders would not be allowed to bring seeds into their countries .
Pylones are fab stores - however they are in Melbourne .
anw- Australians and New Zealanders would not be allowed to bring seeds into their countries .
Pylones are fab stores - however they are in Melbourne .
Jul 29th, 2015, 04:40 AM
#40
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There are still some sales in London shops - more and more new season stuff now, not so much left from summer stock.
Your 19-year old may like Jack Wills. Or Topman as mentioned earlier.
If you have time to go to Bicester Village, there's Jack Wills there. And a Bottega Veneta outlet - with some bags as well, still expensive though.
Your 19-year old may like Jack Wills. Or Topman as mentioned earlier.
If you have time to go to Bicester Village, there's Jack Wills there. And a Bottega Veneta outlet - with some bags as well, still expensive though.
