janemc

Have any of you ventured into Como to the factory outlets to shop for silk and other finds? Was it worthwhile? Any bargains?

Eloise

I stayed on Lake Como and went to Como in 2001. Only one of a long list of silk outlets listed in my guidebooks was still in operation, and as far as I could see, sold as much polyester as silk and the silk it did sell was nothing I would have wanted...

BTilke

The Frey company in Como makes absolutely beautiful silk jackets. They have a factory store. I think the quality of their jackets merits the price, so I'd find them "worthwhile" if not a "bargain." Their list of shops is at:
http://www.frey.it/ita/freyshops.html

Note: the good info on the site is in Italian. The English language section is basically an intro to the company. But check under "prodotti" to see their current selection.

I will be in Bellagio at the begining of October and will be making a special trip down to Como to get a Frey jacket.

HowardR

A little bit of trivia: When we were there a few years, we were told that the Lake Como area is the second biggest producer of silk in the world, second only to China.

janemc

Thanks BTilke, the Frey site is over the top!!

BTilke

Good luck with your quest! Re Frey, I don't understand their obsession with horses or tigers, but...at any rate, I plan to get a jacket (probably black, but maybe a color) lined with either the map or flower pattern.