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Florence: Where to shop

  • Story Highlights
  • Florence's shopping isn't cheap: think high-end luxury goods
  • Italian designers can be found on Via Tornabuoni -- and also at the outlet mall
  • Florence is famous for its quality leather goods, like silk-lined gloves
  • Made-to-measure suits and vintage fashions can also be found
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Florence's best buys tend to be leather goods, designer wear and food.

Roberto Cavalli's Florence store

Roberto Cavalli's Florence store, just one of the city's many high-end boutiques

If money is no object, head to Via Tornabuoni, Florence's answer to 5th Avenue, and snap up Prada, Gucci, and local-born designers Cavalli, Ferragamo and Pucci.

If your budget doesn't stretch that far, head south to the city outskirts by car or taxi to the designer outlets where you can pick up luxury goods from Dolce and Gabbana and more at bargain prices (www.outlet-firenze.com.)

For hand-made cashmere or silk-lined leather gloves, try Madora ( Via Guicciardini 1/R; +39 055 239 6526). Some people travel all the way to Florence just to shop here.

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If you have ever admired Sting's suits, you can buy one of your own from Piero and Franco Cisternino (Via del Purgatorio 22/R; +39 055 280 118) who make men's suits to measure.

One of the most beautiful shops in Florence is an ancient herbal pharmacy or apothecary, Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella (Via della Scala 16; +39 055 216 276), set in a 13th-century frescoed chapel. Its world renowned products include pomegranate perfume, orange blossom water and carnation milk soap.

Italians have typically been late adopters of vintage fashion but Elio Ferraro (Via del Parione 47/R; +39 055 290 425; www.elioferraro.com) was ahead of the game. A visit to his gallery/shop will unearth vintage Yves Saint Laurent, Dior and Chanel from the 1930s onwards.

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Florence City Guide:

Where to stay | What to see | Where to be seen | Where to eat | Where to shop

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