Shopping in Rome?

[FromGirders]

OK, I'm not a usual in this section - in fact I find it more than a little intimidating! But I'm sure you're all lovely, as well as being impeccably groomed and outfitted unlike me.
I'm going to Rome for a long weekend in March. Lots of my time will be taken up with watching rugby, getting drunk, seeing important art and architecture, but I'm hoping to do a bit of shopping too.
Where should I go? I can't afford serious designer stuff, but possibly a nice handbag, or shoes / boots if I can find them in a size 34 / 35. All suggestions would be appreciated!

The Via Condotti is nice, IIRC, all designer etc. However, I don't wish to burst your bubble, but I did find that the styles of the more high street stuff were very, erm European. I can't think of another way of putting it, but I just felt that it would all look odd if I tried to wear it back home.

I'm sure you will have a lovely time - and Italians tend to be quite small, so small size shoes shouldn't be a problem

My sister lives in Rome and although she's picked up some lovely bits and pieces over the years she generally finds shopping better (and cheaper) in the UK. She often gets lovely bags and scarves from outdoor markets.
The one place we do really love for shoes/boots is www.diegozoroddu.it/home.html. It's near where she lives so may not be convenient for you, but if you fancy a visit it's about a 5-10min walk from Garbatella metro station on linea B.
I'll ask her though and see if she's got any recommendations/suggestions.

I found it strangely hard to drop cash in Rome, there aren't many chain stores as such, and the stuff was a bit weird (like a beautiful cashmere jumper with the world's tackiest logo/picture on the front - totally ruined by it). As mentioned Via Condotti is all Prada, Armani etc, Furla is there for bags. But apart from that I struggled. There were some nice vintage shops around the flower market area..

I won't be gutted if I don't get much, but I've been saving so that if I see something gorgeous, then I can buy it with a clear conscience. Thanks for the suggestions!

A lovely bag from a market sounds ideal :o

Will i have to haggle?

Can't speak Italian . . .
(although I'll obviously learn to say please and thank you and stuff like that)

Just spoken to my sis and she agrees with what I've said. For markets and nice little shops she said Monti is a good district to go to (either colosseum or cavour metro stops)
She said "i can't remember the names of the roads, i think via del boschetto and also some things on via dei serpenti, and then towards the end of via urbana near a piazza with fountain, and by beginning of via del boschetto"
Also they are normally shut between 13:00 and 16:00 there.
But basically don't go to Rome expecting to get anything great there and while you're pottering around you may find something lovely.
Have a great time.

p.s. Don't recall having to haggle when I've shopped in markets before. I don't think it's frowned upon if you don't.

Phew!
yes, that's more my thinking, it's just if I see something when we're wandering rather than "I must find a statement handbag in Rome".
Ta!

Just got back from a girls' weekend there. We had a great time. Via del Corso is good. There are plenty of shops around the Spanish Steps and The Trevi Fountain. There are also a few nice shops in Termini station should you have time before going back to the airport! Have fun.

Agree about nice shops near the Spanish steps. Sephora is nearby too.

i love fausto santini stuff, they're on the via frattina, down off the spanish steps but to the left of condotti.

Aitch, those bags are gorgeous!
No prices on the website, is that a bad sign?

I live in Rome and agree with Monti being a good area for independent boutiques. Via del Governo Vecchio near Piazza Navona is good for vintage and also are some funky boutiques there. Via del Corso is typical main street shopping, lot of chains, cheaper prices. Bonus there is the shops are open all day. Avoid it from 5 onwards on a Saturday as it becomes shopping hell and is absolutely packed. Condotti I tend to just use as a cut through on my way elsewhere as is all designer out of my price range stuff. Via Cola di Rienzo is a long avenue packed with a mix of chain shops, independents and there is also Coin department store. Also open all day and is a good place to go if you are that side of the river seeing the Vatican and Castel Sant Angelo. They also have quite a few market stalls on street corners there. Re markets the most well known is on a Sunday morning in Trastevere- Porta Portese. It's huge and is a mix of antiques, new clothes, vintage, bags, shoes and a lot of junk! Definitely haggle there and you will find a lot of the stall owners will speak a few words of English as they get a lot of tourists there. Haggle if you buy bags off the market stalls anywhere.
Have a great time

i'm afraid it's a really bad sign, yes. and the leather IS as soft as it looks. let's just say that it's somewhere i went in my pre-kids days...
mind you, i speak as someone who would never spend the money on mulberry and that level of shite, so it's probably cheaper than there. either cheaper or equivalent.