Anything I need in Italy?

[Polkapjs]

Off there next week. Any good beauty or clothes buys? Thinking Benetton in Verona for nice knit wear if they still exist

Ohh Italy. There is a shop called Manila Grace which is brilliant , lovely quality, natural fibres, quite classic with a twist. Great scarves and shoes . It’s worth going to a Italy for that. Campomamggi handbags are lovely too but expensive. Enjoy!

Porcini stock cubes.

Olive oil, sun dried tomatoes, oregano.

Not what you asked for, I know

Oh sorry, this is S&B.

Underwear is good in Italy :)
Also stylish shoes you can actually walk in.
I’m not a fashion follower, I’m quite a classic dresser. I also go to Italy at least once a year, so not a lot stands out to me iyswim.

I dress in block mute colours but add a very very bright orange scarf/bag for example, Italy is good for accessories. Pick one thing that stands out and the rest can be as plain as you like, that one thing can make the outfit come together.

Sunglasses are good too.

Have a look around when you’re there and see what takes your fancy.

Ooh, I can never buy shoes in Italy. They are all designed for the slim Mediterranean foot. Mine are more....err....Germanic.

Truffle sauce

I never see anything in Italy. Clothes are better here. Some of their shampoos and toiletries are very nicely scented.

I do like to cook so maybe I’ll focus on the food!

I brought back olive oil!!!! But then one my family have a small olive grove and they gave it to me!

That Rosewater in a really pretty blue bottle and black and white label.

Shoes & leather jackets, can be really good quality.

I like to bring back soaps, lovely to store in my drawer with woollens, they scent everything beautifully.

My DD lived in Italy for 6 months and was a bit under-whelmed. Top end is fabulous and lower end can be fun if you hunt around but middle price can be difficult. Intimissimi are good for undies, but they are in the uk. There is a chain store similar to New Look but I’m struggling to remember the name of it. I’ll try and ask DD.

OVS. There is also Sisley and Steffanel. A market in the Piazza del Erbes too. (Check spelling!)

Sephora!!!

Food and wine (obviously), house accessories (Alessi, Fornasetti etc), leather goods.

And if you are going to Venice Murano glass.

I’ve never been overwhelmed with joy when shopping in Italy. The high end stuff is, of course, lovely but mid market labels like Benetton, Sisley and Stefanel went down the wretched polyester and acrylic route long ago.

The best clothes opportunities are from the MaxMara group diffusion labels since there is much more choice available in Italian department stores. You’ll get the full range of Penny Black, MaxMara weekend, Marella etc instead of the subset chosen by British buyers.

As others have mentioned, they also have great shower gel. I had a lovely cucumber one that I can’t get online.

Yes to porcini stock cubes, they're amazing! Also walnut sauce (salsa di noci I think?) if you're around Liguria.

As others have mentioned, Santa Maria Novella rose water, the orange blossom is nice too. Stefanel and the Max Mara group brands (more affordable there too) are all worth checking out. Tights are worth looking out for too.

Check the McArthur Glen website if you're moving around by car as there are several really good outlet villages in the Veneto region and there's a giant high end one with all the lux Italian brands by the Marco Polo airport (think that isn't a McArthur Glen one). I've always found really good deals in the Italian outlets.

If you're into skincare, RetinA is called Airol in Italy.

Definitely shoes. I got two gorgeous pairs last time I was there: one pair of navy loafers and one pair of wedge sandals in grey/taupe. Both are really stylish but also seriously comfortable. I've always felt the need to choose between style and practicality with sandals before. Not any more!

Take lots of mossi spray, and sun cream/ after sun with mossi repellant.
We were there couple of weeks ago and were bitten quite a bit.

Oh me too. My dh was eaten the most. My poor dc really suffered also. PITA tbh. Nothing seemed to work.