Bernardo
Come here for men's trousers, cashmere sweaters, and shirts with details like mother-of-pearl buttons.
15 Best Places to Shop in Florence, Italy
Window-shopping in Florence is like visiting an enormous contemporary art gallery. Many of today's greatest Italian artists are fashion designers, and most keep shops in Florence. Discerning shoppers may find bargains in the street markets. Do not buy any knockoff goods from any of the hawkers plying their fake Prada (or any other high-end designer) on the streets. It's illegal, and fines are astronomical if the police happen to catch you. (You pay the fine, not the vendor.)
Shops are generally open 9 to 1 and 3:30 to 7:30, and are closed Sunday and Monday mornings most of the year. Summer (June to September) hours are usually 9 to 1 and 4 to 8, and some shops close Saturday afternoon instead of Monday morning. When looking for addresses, you'll see two color-coded numbering systems on each street. The red numbers are commercial addresses and are indicated, for example, as 31/r. The blue or black numbers are residential addresses. Most shops take major credit cards and ship purchases, but because of possible delays it's wise to take your purchases with you.
The usual fashion suspects—Prada, Gucci, Versace, to name but a few—all have shops in Florence. But if you want to buy Florentine in Florence, stick to Gucci, Pucci, and Ferragamo.
Bargains on Italian designer clothing can be found outside the city.
Loretta Caponi
Synonymous with Florentine embroidery, this shop sells luxury lace, linens, and lingerie that have earned the eponymous signora worldwide renown. There's also beautiful (and expensive) clothing for children.
Diesel
Trendy Diesel started in Vicenza; its gear is on the "must-have" list of many Italian teens.
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Emilio Pucci
The aristocratic Marchese di Barsento, Emilio Pucci, became an international name in the late 1950s when the stretch ski clothes he designed for himself caught on with the dolce vita ("sweet life") crowd—his pseudopsychedelic prints and "palazzo pajamas" became all the rage.
Emporio Armani
The sister store of the Giorgio Armani boutique has slightly more affordable nightclub- and office-friendly garb.
G.B. Frugone 1885
This Genoese-based company has been making elegant cashmere scarves, dresses, and sweaters (among other things) for men and women since 1885.
Giorgio Armani
The sleek, classic boutique Giorgio Armani is a centerpiece of the dazzling high-end shops clustered in this part of town.
Gucci
Florentine perennial Gucci puts its famous initials on just about everything it sells.
Liu-Jo
For something to wear for a night out, check out Liu-Jo.
Luisa Via Roma
The surreal window displays hint at the trendy yet tasteful clothing inside this fascinating alta moda (high-style) boutique, which first opened in 1929 and stocks the world's top designers. Its atrium restaurant, Floret, is an oasis for vegans and vegetarians with bowls, salads, and cold-pressed juices.
Maçel
Browse collections by lesser-known Italian designers, many of whom use the same factories as the A-list, at this women's clothing shop.
Missoni Boutique
Shop for knitwear at the Florence outpost of the Italian brand known for its bold pieces.
Patrizia Pepe
The Florentine designer has clothes for those with a tiny streak of rebelliousness. Sizes run small.
Prada
Known to mix schoolmarmish sensibility with sexy cuts and funky fabrics, Prada appeals to an exclusive clientele.
Tiziana Alemanni
This dressmaker creates beautiful bespoke clothing.
