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What would you buy in Italy?

38 replies

Beaverfeaver · 11/10/2013 02:34

Small enough to fit in luggage, Verona area.

OP posts:
Chipstick10 · 11/10/2013 07:51

Shoes, shoes and shoes, Italian made shoes are to die for.

Timpetill · 11/10/2013 07:53

I second the shoes. Anything leather really. Also food/wine.

wiltingfast · 11/10/2013 08:56

A bag

And perfume

Maybe shoes...

cardamomginger · 11/10/2013 08:56

Leather.

CitrusyOne · 11/10/2013 08:58

I bought lovely perfume in Verona. The markets are fab- in Florence and Venice. Pretty bracelets, leather goods, lambs wool scarves.

Ujjayi · 11/10/2013 08:58

Agree with anything leather - shoes, gloves, bags etc

On a visit to Milan I found a MaxMara outlet store which proved very fruitful. Apparently the Italians like their outlet stores as they love a good label at a good price. Might be worth seeing if there are any in the area you are visiting.

spaghettina · 11/10/2013 09:09

yes to leather goods, especially beautiful shoes and gloves. And the bags... Furla... Coccinelle...not cheap, but a bit cheaper over here than in the UK
Also perfume and makeup as the perfume shops here always offer about 20% off the full price.

Food, of course. Little pots of pesto, truffle oil, parmesan cheese (if vacuum packed). And traditional ceramics too, if you like that kind of thing.

helzapoppin2 · 11/10/2013 11:03

Just back from Verona myself. It's really good for shopping.
Yes handbag(s ). Scarves. Fabulous knitwear.
Two chains of great hosiery/lingerie shops I noticed were Intimissimo and Calzedonia. High street type prices. Oh,yes, and there is also an Italian cosmetic company, Kiko which sells MAC like products at a fraction of the price. Lovely eye shadows for €2.90.

MissDD1971 · 11/10/2013 11:12

Money no object would have to be designer don't know if Joseph sell there. My aunt who goes a lot says Parmesan but unsure if you can take in carry on.

Kiko are good. if you're after stuff for yourself or teenage DS/DD, then Replay/Miss Sixty etc.

I am trying but failing to think of shops in Verona... if you can go on T&S website or wait for me to look at their handbook I'll find out their shopping tips for you they say Venice but bound to be in Verona. My SIL I think came back with nice bright blue plastic square earrings (trendy) but I think from market in Verona/Venice.

spaghettina · 11/10/2013 12:00

You can take parmesan in carry-on no problem IME, but I'd get it vacuum packed (most little delis here would do that for you or at least wrap it properly in film/foil).
Kiko is great! Sooo cheap. Nail polish esp. is very good, they copy the lates designer shades and it costs about 3 euros a bottle.

MissDD1971 · 11/10/2013 12:31

spaghettina - damn - my auntie went to Verona recently for work (last week) should've got her to get me some stuff...

she's retired now (early retirement) so no more trips to Italy!

MissDD1971 · 11/10/2013 12:34

OP - there IS a Joseph there...

must be Pinko too. I know both are more expensive but I just would.... treat myself. LOL

Allalonenow · 11/10/2013 12:40

Silk scarves, dried mushrooms, costume jewelery, lucky you to be going to Verona!

nicename · 11/10/2013 12:43

I'm usually buy kitchenwear (table cloths, settings, etc) and food (porcini, parmesan, dried herbs, lemoncello)

MirandaGoshawk · 11/10/2013 12:49

There's a fabulous toiletries range made by a company called Perlier. I think it's actually Spanish but I've never found it here so was thrilled to find it in a Coin (Debenhams equivalent) in Italy. The honey bath & shower stuff is divine.

I would also have a look at Christmas decorations. They tend to have less than us but it's tasteful & different from our tat.

Decameron · 11/10/2013 15:03

Miranda, M&S sell Perlier. Lovely products.

womma · 11/10/2013 15:19

Ooh, you lucky thing. Have a check online to see if you will be near any outlet stores as well, they would be well worth a visit. Good hunting.

Beaverfeaver · 11/10/2013 16:00

Thanks for all the help.

Il be there tomorrow after spending all day today 2000mtres up a mountain on lake garda!

Retail therapy here I come!
(Its a birthday holiday so I need some treats! )

OP posts:
MissDD1971 · 11/10/2013 16:20

Joseph do do ADORABLE stuff!

I love Lake Garda too! Smile

nicename · 11/10/2013 17:42

There's a Coin in Garda.

I hates you, OP!

JustBecauseICan · 11/10/2013 17:46

Perlier toiletries I think are made by jolly old Woods of Windsor!

My Mum loves the honey range. Gorgeous stuff.

Byblos perfume is cheap as chips and Cielo smells exactly the same as Thierry Mugler Angel. My local chemist is currently flogging 100ml for 9 euro.

MaggieW · 11/10/2013 17:47

Cashmere. Also porcini mushroom stock cubes.

Bunbaker · 11/10/2013 17:48

A bottle of Aperol in the duty free shop on the way home. ££ cheaper than here.

ElizabethBathory · 11/10/2013 17:50

Boots. I saw SO many nice boots when I was in Rome in March. Every other shop seemed to be a shoe shop or a lingerie shop. So, lingerie too, if you like that sort of thing :)

LaFataTurchina · 11/10/2013 17:53

I love Coin. Jelous!

If you fancy trying a very normal Italian highstreet shop I really like 'upim'.

Ooh I know (you'd have to wear it on the way home though) - a warm waterproof winter coat that is reasonably priced and doesn't look too 'mountain climbery'. We feel the cold us Italians!