Where to Shop in Italy
Italy is a haven for fashion lovers. The birthplace of Gucci, Prada, Fendi, Bottega Veneta, Dolce & Gabbana and more, it’s streets, culture, and people are infused with fashion and style. Fran spent a little over two months in Italy studying abroad this past Summer, and Braf and E went to visit her — we’ve rounded up our favorite finds by city — brands, stores and all the inspiration! Make sure to comment if you have a recommendation. We’d love to add it to our guide!
Baci! Xx
Poema Clothiers
ROME
Trastevere
Trastevere is an area known for it’s more bohemian, ‘Old Rome’ feel. There aren’t a ton of individual stores that we would recommend going out of your way to go to here, but it’s a very charming area to walk around and grab a coffee or gelato and window shop if you’re close by!
Alcazar Market
A follower recommended Alcazar to us! It’s in Trastevere and was very cute thrifted items, jewelry, makeup bags, and more.
Via Cardinale Merry del Val, 14, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
Miroli
Cute brand with heart jewelry that had a pop up at Alcazar Market! You could DM them to see where they’re popping up next or if they will be at Alcazar when you’re in Rome
Fofo Somani
‘Cool girl’ jewelry!
Via Vittoria 35, Roma
Nous
Nous is a Swedish-Italian jewelry brand with two locations in Rome. We stopped by both, but like the one in Monti better because that’s where Fran lived during her internship!
Via del Boschetto, 109, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
Silly Closet Room
Via della Scrofa, 111, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
PRINCIPESSA GLAM
Cute jewelry brand carried by Silly Closet Room and probably other boutique stores.
RINASCENTE
Rinascente is the mall and it’s fabulous, and there’s a free rooftop that you can visit! You have to pass a hostess stand, but just ask them if you want to go to see the rooftop and they will let you by.
Piazza Fiume, 00198 Roma RM, Italy
CoOrto
The son of the founder of Bottega Veneta recently founded Corto and opened his first store in Rome. Corto’s aunt, Marina manages the store and she is so precious. Tell her you know us!
Piazza Capranica, 94, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
LISA CORTI
Colorful placemats, blankets, and some clothes. Funky, colorful feel!
Via dei Coronari, 197, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Casa Elfrida
Tiny store with a small collection of fabulous clothes.
Via dei Coronari, 192, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
CANDLESTORE
These are the coolest candles we have ever seen! They are made in store and are bowl candles and tapered candles in all colors and scents. The perfect Italian souvenir to take home with you.
BENE
While Bene doesn’t have a storefront yet, you know it’s one of our favorite brands and close to our hearts since Fran interned for Ellie, the founder, this Summer! The bags are so well made with Italian leather and feature fabric on the inside with different prints from New Orleans-based artists, an ode to Ellie’s hometown. The brand is a mix of all the things we love, chic + unique fashion, travel, and the South. Click on the images below to shop BENE.
Gio Marrazzo
Vintage looking jewelry made in Italy — we don’t think they have a storefront, so follow them on Instagram to see where they are popping up!
NIKI NIKA
Cute store close to the Spanish steps. Laid out by color and has some funky finds.
Via del Corso, 75, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
MANGO, ZARA, MASSIMO DUTTI, H&M, TEZENIS, INTIMISSIMI
The classics with multiple locations throughout Rome and Italy! Affordable and always better in Europe.
KIKO
Last but not least is KIKO! Like the Maybelline of Italy - it’s great quality makeup for amazing prices. There are several locations in almost every city, train station, and airport you’ll go to! You can also shop online — our favorite lip gloss is the 3D Hydra Gloss in shade 35, but they are very sheer so any shade will be gorgeous.
FLORENCE
Elisabetta Panerai
This one is first for a reason. Must visit if you’re in Florence!
Via della Vigna Nuova, 97, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
Try Me
Fran’s favorite boutique in Florence!
Via Porta Rossa, 42, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
D.A.T.E.
The perfect alternative to Golden Goose! Much more affordable, but incredible quality. There is a location in Milan, too!
Via del Parione, 53/55 R, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
GUCCI GARDEN
Gucci Museum and store that is 100% worth it to go! The Gucci Garden store carries items exclusive to the Florence store. You cannot take photos or buy these styles anywhere else. They aren’t online either. There is a museum, too and you have to buy your tickets in person!
P.za della Signoria, 10, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Gianni Chiarini
Gorgeous purses. The brand isn’t as well known, but it is a hidden gem — fabulous pieces for better than designer prices.
Via della Vigna Nuova, 52/R, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Afandi
Family owned leather goods brand! Our mom bought a beautiful cream bag from them.
Via del Proconsolo, 41, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
MILAN
PRADA MUSEUM
Have heard the Prada Museum is wonderful, but didn’t have the chance to go!
L.go Isarco, 2, 20139 Milano MI, Italy
WAIT AND SEE
Didn’t get the chance to go here, but it looks stunning! Unique clothes and accessories that are somewhat affordable — recommended by Ellie, the founder of BENE.
Via Santa Marta, 14, 20123 Milano MI, Italy
SANTA MARTA BROTHERS
Fun concept store with colorful bags, shoes, and accessories!
Via Santa Marta, 14, 20123 Milano MI, Italy
GALA ON MARS
Bought a super cute outfit for work here! Pretty reasonable prices and really trendy items!
Corso di Porta Ticinese, 84, 20123 Milano MI, Italy
POSITANO
CB POSITANO
Different prints of cloth makeup bags.
Viale Pasitea, 44, 84017 Positano SA, Italy
Luisa Positano
Beautiful, but expensive dresses and sets. Mainly in classic Italian prints colorful and airy fabrics!
Viale Pasitea, 78, 84017 Positano SA, Italy
This may be an unpopular opinion, but honestly, the shopping in Positano was not our favorite! It was all super expensive. Definitely fun to splurge if you want, but we didn’t find as much here as we did in other cities. If you had a different experience please let us know! We would love to know if there was anything we missed.
CAPRI
Luisa Beccaria
The Italian LoveShackFancy. The designer was in the store when we went in and she was very chic and cool.
Piazza Umberto I, 21, 80076 Capri NA, Italy
Il Capri Hotel
Pink hotel with a fab gift shop! Bought a sweatshirt and coffee table book here.
Via Roma, 71, 80073 Capri NA, Italy
Carthusia I profumi
Via Camerelle, 10, 80076 Capri NA, Italy
Via Camarelle
Capri has a gorgeous street full of designer stores one after another! Just head to this street and you’ll find Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel, Saint Laurent, Pucci, and more.
And if you can’t make it to Italy any time soon, here are some gorgeous Italian-inspired chic gifts that will make you feel like you’re living la dolce vita from afar.
OTHER THINGS TO NOTE…
VAT REFUNDS: HOW TO
In Italy, you can get a tax refund on purchases over €175. If your primary residence is a non-EU country and you’ve purchased an item over €175 from a single store, you are eligible to receive money back on your purchase.
When you check out at the store the person helping you will give you documentation that you’ll need to keep up with to submit at the airport.
The final step is that you’ll scan your documentation and passport at the VAT kiosk at the airport from which you depart. Your refund will be issued to the credit card that you used to purchase your new items and yay! Money back for you.
WHERE TO EAT
Of course you can’t shop all day without being fueled by amazing food — especially in Italy! For reservations and recommendations on where to eat, we worked with @laurahg who is working to launch an Italy travel agency called Il Posto Travel. She lived in Italy for several years and provided wonderful recommendations — we loved every single reservation she made for us! You can head to her website with inquiries.
We hope you enjoy our guide to the best shopping in Italy! We plan to update this guide as we hear recommendations from you all so please email us at sisters@poemaclothiers.com or send us a DM on Instagram if you have a recommendation we should add!
Xx,
Poema Clothiers
