French and Italian Clothes Shops

[MidLifeCrisis2017]

I'm intrigued - I've followed the various threads over the years about stylish French and Italian women, but I'm nearly at the end of three months in the two countries and I've seen very few decent clothes shops!

I'd certainly agree that they are well groomed, great haircuts, subtle makeup and flattering glasses, but the clothes in the shops are much blingier, sequinned, patterned and baggier than I think is flattering.

Any suggestions of brands/stores to look out for? I'm not looking for edgy - I'm a big Massimo Dutti fan if that helps.

I know what you mean. I was in Milan the other week (my family are from there) looking for summer dresses and everything I could find was like something you'd go out clubbing in.

I can't remember the names of the shops but if you are ever In Milan my favourite shopping streets are Via Torino and Corso Buenos Aires.

Getting stuff tailored is much more common there, if something is a bit too big or small, even my mid 20s cousins would get it fixed.

Italy doesn't tend to have what I'd call a mid-level price point stores. So no equivalent (that I've seen) of Jigsaw, Reiss etc. Their higher-end (for U.K.) stores like Max Mara and Emporio Armani are cheaper than the U.K. Their lower end stuff like Pinko etc is horrible imho. Seems to be a liking for lots of cheap bling and fabrics. They love diamanté.

Max & Co isn't bad - but I absolutely hate the sizing. I'm a UK 14 but have to take the equivalent of a 16 there and I hate shopping in places that make me feel bad. They also have awful returns policies where we are - as in no returns, only exchanges.

The only stuff I buy in Italy is an occasional piece of Max Mara or Max & Co, and because in-laws like to buy me clothes for Christmas etc.

Luckily I live in U.K. - otherwise I'd just be buying stuff online if I lived there. Interestingly my MIl loves M&S - there's just no equivalent in Italy - and always stocks up when she's over here.

Btw - sure you know, but Massimo Dutti is actually Spanish (part of Zara group).

Yes, I was trying to give an indication of my very middle of the road taste! Funny that they chose an Italian name, it's as if that's the image they're going for but it doesn't really exist at my price point.

I like Max & Co etc but even at Italian prices they're out if reach!

*of

Also seen some shocking shoes in both countries.

I live in Spain and wear mostly Zara and Mango and a bit of Massimo Ditto plus H&M for cheap every day bits. I am 36 and probably dress a tad "mutton" for want of a better expression. Not blingy, though!

From France or online, I like these French brands:
Ba&she, Claudie Pierlot, Rouje (bit hippy), Sandro (also hit and miss...some stuff reminds me of Per Una ), Sézane

I also like The Kooples, Maje, Zadig and Voltaire, and Eres underwear (all French). Paul and Joe is French too although I'm not such a fan myself and it's quite pricey.

If you like Massimo Dutti, OP, you might like shirts from Marie Marot.

Thanks - I'm old enough to be your mother so def don't want bling either!

DDs like The Kooples. Admired some Z and V in Galeries Lafayette yesterday but still expensive in the sale.

I'll check out the others.

And yet we think the grass is greener when we talk about the decline of our high street.

Another Zadig & Voltaire fan here, although it's at the very top end of my price range.

Italian brands I love Luisa Spagnoli, Marella and Max Mara. I find that Emporio Armani and Max & Co. tend to be a bit hit and miss in terms of quality. I'm 32, btw.

Timefortea my biggest issue with our High St is seeing the same shops everywhere. I'm lucky enough to live in a market town with a lovely shop that does a mixture of well known brands like Great Plains and some German stuff which is good quality but overpriced.

The two biggest shopping areas nearest me are identikit H & M, Zara, TK Maxx etc.

It's depressing.

I don't think I'm difficult to please - I wear a fairly classic colour palette, avoid patterns and prefer natural fabrics. A lot of the stuff I've seen on my travels is downright gaudy!

I know what you mean about identikit shops. Even if you go to New York you see a lot of the same shops as here - it is a global thing!

I wear quite a bit of French label clothing as the cut and style suit me better than most US/UK labels.

lots of Zadig&Voltaire, Vanessa Bruno, APC, and Isabel Marant. I also find things at Comptoire des Cottonieres, Maje, and the occasional Agnes B.