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Agau
Brightly coloured precious and semiprecious stones from India are used by Italian designers to form the dazzling modern jewellery at this reasonably priced shop. There's another branch at Via della Vite 57 (06 693 80 699).
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Alberta Gloves
As snug as, well, a glove, this tiny, crammed shop meets every occasion: elbow-length silk gloves for that special evening; crochet for your first communion; tan-coloured driving gloves for touring the Alps in your roadster; black kid-leather gloves for icy morning commutes; black fingerless numbers for kinky nights out. Gentlemen will also find a good range of braces.
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Baullà
Baullà sells classic women's clothes and some accessories - all understated, informal chic of exceptional quality. Expect beautiful knitwear, linen jackets, jewel-bright chenille scarves and a selection of original bags and shoes.
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Bulgari
If you have to ask the price, you can't afford it. Luckily, the sumptuous window displays mean you can admire the world's finest jewellery without spending a centesimo .
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Carry-On
Carry-On is the place to upgrade your luggage, with a good selection of designer bags. Classics include tan-leather satchels by The Bridge and map-printed Alviero Martini handbags; for more rugged needs there are tough Samsonite suitcases. To fill them, you can also buy leather slippers, boxes and hip flasks.
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Claudio Sanò
Fancy a fish-shaped handbag or a moustached briefcase? San Lorenzo artisan Claudio Sanò is the Salvador Dalí of leather, transforming mundane everyday accessories into quirky life-like creations. They're not cheap, but masterpieces seldom are.
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Ferrari Store
If you can't afford a Ferrari, at least you can stretch to a key ring. At this Ferrari Store you'll find everything from flaming-red coats to scale models; there's even a real F1 car.
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Francesco Biasia
If you want an 'it' bag without the 'it' price tag, try slipping a Francesco Biasia over your shoulder. His designs are superb quality, in bright colours, blacks and browns, with original detailing that sets them apart.
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Furla
Furla makes all sorts of accessories, from sunglasses to shoes, but is best known for its handbags. Practical, chic, classic and affordable, they use a brilliant array of colours and finishes to add sparkle to their simple designs. If you can't afford Fendi, head here. The many other branches include Via Tomacelli 136 (06 687 82 30), Via Nazionale 54-55 (06 487 01 27), and Via Cola di Rienzo 226 (06 687 45 05).
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Ibiz - Artigianato In Cuoio
Elisa Nepi and her father make exquisite, good-quality leather goods, including bags, belts and sandals, in simple but classy designs and myriad colours. You can sometimes see Elisa working in the shop. If you take a sketch along, they can create something to your own design.
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La Coppola Storta Hats
No one actually wears these flat caps (think Robert de Niro in the flashback bits of The Godfather ) in Sicily anymore, but damn are they cool, and here you can get them in every imaginable colour and variety. You can even get them for your dog. There's another branch at Via del Piè di Marmo 4 (06 679 58 01).
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La Corona
A tie-filled, cupboard-sized emporium, La Corona can be relied on for classic sober designs, the latest fads, and colourful numbers ranging from garish to great.
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La Cravatta Su Misura
With ties draped over the wooden furniture, this inviting shop resembles the study of an absent-minded professor. But don't be fooled: these guys know their ties. Only the finest Italian silks and English wools are used in the neckwear they make to their customers' specifications. At a push they'll have a tie ready in a few hours.
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La Grande Officina
Under dusty workshop lamps, husband-and-wife team Giancarlo Genco and Daniela Ronchetti turn everything from old clock parts and Japanese fans into edgy geometric jewellery.
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Louis Vuitton
Forget handbags. The star turn at Rome's latest Louis Vuitton store is a show-stopping, plasma-screen staircase. Based on a concept by New York-based architect Peter Marino (and looking like it's straight off a Madonna concert set),this visual tour de force transforms itself from psychedelic snake to technicolour torrent in seconds. For the full effect, head in after hours when the stairs are free of clutter and at their hi-tech best.
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Mandarina Duck
Chic, ergonomic, witty and made from high-tech materials in colours ranging from dove-grey to mustard, Bolognese company Mandarina Duck's bags strike a mean balance between usability and style. Whether you're after some sleek shoulder candy or a futuristic briefcase, this is the place.
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Marcoaurelio
The extraordinary handmade pieces at this small jeweller's often take organic forms: lizards, sea shells, even dogs inspire the shapes and styles. Beaten gold, silver and copper bracelets look like ancient treasures that you might find in a museum.
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Mcqueen 72
Pimp up your feet with one of Rome's coolest collections of sneakers, including limited edition Diadora Deluxe, Reebok and New Balance, Dutch brand Patta and New York label A-live. Head upstairs for street-smart threads or flash your student card for a little discount.
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Mondello Ottica
If you're in Rome, you need shades. To fit in with the in-crowd, head here for the hippest brands. A sparkling white temple of sunglasses, Mondello Ottica has frames by leading designers, including Anne et Valentin, l.a.Eyeworks, Cutler and Gross, and the Belgian designer Theo. Prescription glasses can be ready the same day.
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Moresco Ottica
Blink and you'll miss Moresco, a tiny optician's stocking frames by many major labels - Gucci, Chanel, Persol, Web and Luxottica to name a few. You can have your eyes tested and the friendly proprietor will organise prescriptions in a couple of hours.
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Nuyorica
Worship at this shrine to contemporary chic, with its Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs and Chloë clothes, shoes and handbags. It namechecks all the hippest mainstream designers and is worth a browse to sigh over, if not to buy. Nuyorica Roots (06 997 00 829; Via del Pellegrino 15) is around the corner, with a fine array of 'it' bags and too-hip-to-smile sales assistants.
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Omero & Cecilia
Another splendid example in this street of vintage shops. A tunnel of a place, stashed full of a great array of leather bags, shoes, cool scarves, coats and dresses, this is a browser's heaven.
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Only Hearts
Only Hearts sells sexy whispers of underwear in delicate shades, with some retro styling, and some clothes and shoes to complement the fluttery smalls. There's a branch at Via Vittoria 76.
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Pollicina
If you like to announce your arrival from a distance, the jewellery at Pollicina is for you. The big, brash costume jewellery is beautifully handcrafted using coloured crystals, resin and coral. To get into the small shop-cum-showroom, ring the buzzer by the side of the door.
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Rainbow Belts
Whether your style is rhinestone-studded, python-skinned, large and black or chainlinked, this small shop - a forest of leather straps, all made in Florence - will have a cintura (belt) to suit you.
