Where to buy designer clothes in Florence? Discounted
Does anyone know where I might look for designer clothes (Pucci, Cavalli, Missoni) at discounted prices in Florence? Are the outlets ("Mall"?) worth trekking out to? Are there boutiques in town that might have nice designer clothes (let's take Missoni as an example) at discounted or "sale" prices? When I am in Florence I will be looking for a special dress for a special occasion in December. Thank you.
Teresa
San Diego 10/3/12
Send Private Message
I have found the outlets in Europe incl Italy to be very spotty as far as deals and ion. Most are on major roadways away from cities. In fact many of the big outlet centers have many major american designers, they are trying to attract european shoppers in gen. The airports have some designers also but I frankly see little discounting eventtho they say duty free(Hermes, Ferragamo etc..Since you are in SD. I would think you would have much better luck and ion/returns at Nordstrom Rack Stores for designer wear clearances uncertain about Pucci,Cav or Missoni.Maybe even a sale at Saks Fifth or Neiman Marcus.
You can contact Tourist office Florence via email to see if a discounter of your choice is avail in Florence. gd luck in your search. while in lorenc eyou may enjoy the Salavatore Ferragamo flagship retail store and upstair shoe museum.
Oh! You've moved on to winter wear. I guess you've figured out already what to wear in Florence in October possibly with rain.
There is nothing discounted in terms of designers' clothes anywhere in Florence. The shopping street is Via Tornabuoni (the Florentine equivalent of Rodeo Dr. in LA, 5th Ave. in NYC, via Montenapoleoni in Milan and via Condotti in Rome). Although you'll find Valentino in via della Vigna Nuova, which is a perpendicular to via Tornabuoni. Gucci's headquarters is in via Tornabuoni as well, and so is Ferragamo, closer to the river.
For discounted stuff, I suggest a 40 min. to one hr. drive to the outlets. There are several not far from Florence. You just need to find some transportation to them if you don't have a car (your hotel will certainly point you to several organizations that take tourists to those outlets).
Below are some where I usually take my wife when we go to Florence. I don't know the type of stores they have since I usually wait for her in the car or at a bar while she shops.
http://www.valdichianaoutlet.it/index2.php
http://www.themall.it/
http://www.to-tuscany.com/local-tuscany/shopping/outlet-shopping/#423
http://www.mcarthurglen.com/it/barberino-designer-outlet/en/
Alternatively, while in Florence, you might decide to skip the outlets altogether and see some of the beautiful sites and museums instead. For shopping you can always go to the outlets in San Ysidro or Carlsbad when you come back.
Sorry I forgot Cavalli's outlet, since you seem interested in his stuff.
It's the closest to Florence, just near the Airport at the Osmannoro district of Sesto.
Outlet Roberto Cavalli - Sesto Fiorentino, Osmannoro (FI) - Via Volturno, 3/3 - tel. +39 055-317754
The Mall, www.themall.it, as Roberto posted above has some good shopping. I have been there a couple of times but I find with the conversion rates it really isn't any better than I get from a sale at Saks (still bought stuff though!) but if you are looking for a discount in Italy, it works great. Nice mall too. The gem of shopping in Italy is all of the lesser known labels that are high quality. Florence is a hotbed of those places. But if that's what the heart desires, go for it. Hope you post a trip report :)
http://www.discovertuscany.com/what-to-do-in-tuscany/shopping/outlet-in-tuscany.html
You can take a public bus to the Mall for a reasonable price instead of taking a tour. The McCartherglen Barbarino outlet also runs a shuttle bus service to the mall. Check the websites of both for more info or go to the tourist info office in Florence.
http://www.mcarthurglen.com/it/barberino-designer-outlet/en/
http://www.themall.it/
In central Florence, there's a new designer outlet store called Sotto Sotto. No idea what brands they carry, but it's only about a 10 minute walk from the Duomo. Their website www.sottosotto.it has a map showing the location.
Thank you everyone for this detailed information. I"m off and running!