Shopping in Florence
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A Piedi Nudi nel Parco
Specialising in high-end avant-garde designers, this riverside shop may cause price-tag shock with its industrial-chic duds for both men and women. However, you’re certain to take away something no one else at the office is wearing.
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Maestri di Fabbrica
Ranged over four large rooms in the Renaissance Palazzo Albizzi, this high-end factory outlet offers up some of the most stylish goods available from Tuscan artisans, from blown glass and alabaster to sleek contemporary furnishings.
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Ditta Marchiano Augusto
Geppetto had nothing on this woodworker, who offers up Pinocchios for a few euro, plus more unique miniature wood statuary, in this pleasantly dusty and crowded little shop. However, his real business is beautiful, handmade frames.
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Bulgari
Italy's most prestigious jeweller is famous for large colourful stones in antique and slick modern settings, as well as for their glamorous celebrity customers. They also have a huge range of adornments from watches to perfume.
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Bartolini
If you're smitten with Italian food and are packing your bags with Italian cookbooks, save some room for the goodies in here: everything you need for the Italian kitchen, from polenta-stirring spoons to artisan ceramics.
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Giulio Giannini e Figlio
Easy to miss, this quaint old shopfront has watched Palazzo Pitti turn pink with the evening sun since 1856. One of Florence's oldest artisan families, the Gianninis - bookbinders by trade - make and sell marbled paper, beautifully bound books, stationery and so on. Don't miss the workshop upstairs.
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Prada
This century-old family business is best known for its simplicity in design and colour as well as the distinctive red stripe on the back heel of its shoes. Cutting-edge silhouettes and fabrics adopted by design junkies.
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Mercato dei Pulci
While prices are much higher than the name implies (mercato dei pulci means flea market), this outdoor market is nevertheless still worth a gander for patient pickers game to bring home a piece of Old Tuscany.
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Arte Creta
Elisabetta di Costanzo turns out some original work, breaking with tradition in her use of predominantly green floral scenes on the majority of the objects for sale. They make a refreshing change from the usual stuff.
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Loretta Caponi
An old family name dressing the aristocracy for ions, this utterly gorgeous shop sells hand-embroidered sleepwear, bed and table linen, as well as slippers, bathrobes and exquisitely smocked children's clothes.
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La Galleria del Chianti
Despite the name, the shelves of this store are stacked with goodies from all over Tuscany and even a few from other regions, such as Poli Grappa from Bassano del Grappa in the Veneto (if your insides need a clean).
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Assunta Anichini
Founded in 1912, this is the oldest children's clothing shop in Florence. The styles of their exquisite suits and dresses have changed little since - all the clothes are still made by hand and with the best fabrics.
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Artpell Coke
No, this place has nothing to do with beverages. Since 1938 they have been crafting handmade leather bags and other accessories in this unassuming little shop. It is well worth casting your eyes over the goods here.
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Il Bisonte
Quality craftsmanship is a byword at 'The Bison', particularly strong on accessories that range from elegant bags in natural leather to distinguished desktop items, leather-bound notebooks, briefcases and the like.
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Angela Caputi
Caputi’s jewellery workshop is in the Oltrarno, but here she also sells one-of-a-kind women’s clothes gathered during her travels around the world, from avant-garde German hoodies to artisanal Japanese silks.
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Il Gatto Bianco
At the White Cat, an attractive back-street jewellery workshop, you can pick up all sorts of wonderful and affordable jewellery. Fresh contemporary designs incorporate gold, silver and semiprecious stones.
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Old England Stores
This wonderful Edwardian relic still lines its mahogany shelves with fixings for high tea and afternoon sherry, plus there are bolts of tartans as well as hand-cobbled footwear for gentlemen and ladies.
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Aprosio
From tiny glass and crystal beads, Ornella Aprosio fashions her multi-coloured magic – tiny animal-shaped brooches to shawls of glass-flecked cashmere – all gracefully displayed in an Oltrarno palazzo.
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Bojola
Classic belts, wallets and luggage are offered at this venerable establishment, one of Florence's top shops for hide, where the same family have been turning out quality items for more than a century.
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Roberto Cavalli
Cavalli is riding a fashion-world wave with his rock-and-roll wardrobe. This is real-impact statement fashion with wild and wonderful creations from shoes and underwear to over-the-top overcoats.
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La Bottega di Leonardo
This compact shop sells odds and ends aimed at the passing tourist trade, but the kids might be interested in the Leokits - unique wooden models of some of Leonardo da Vinci's wacky inventions.
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Luisa
This alta moda boutique, a Florentine institution, is a one-stop shop for many of the world's top designers. It has its own small line and the haughtiest sales assistants in Florence.
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Peruzzi
A huge emporium containing all the things you can make from animal hide, this shop also sells designer clothing and accessories, has an alterations service and can personalise your purchases.
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Calzoleria Bologna
Starring hometown shoemakers as well as Bolognese and foreign competitors, Florentines come here for eye-catching kicks at earth-bound (not bargain) prices. Even Converse comes with a twist.
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Chebà
For a light and sunny Tuscan slant on ceramics, pop in for plates of poppies or grapevine-decorated saucers. Hand-painted pottery with cheery country and, in some cases, impressionist scenes.
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