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A.P.E.
Partners-in-style Eleonora and Andrea turn vintage fabrics into fresh, idiosyncratic creations - think '70s punk art sewn onto T-shirts; denim bags pimped with Liz Taylor prints; and woollen tube necklaces adorned with bits from Parisian lamps.
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Angelo di Nepi
This Roman designer combines Italian cut and style with rich Indian fabrics and colours: sumptuous reds, burnished gold, intricate embroidery and heavy silk create wonderfully eye-catching clobber. You'll find a second branch at Via dei Giubbonari 28 (06 689 30 06).
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Antichi Kimono
Not only does local designer Gloria Gobbi turn vintage Japanese obis into corsets and bags, she's known to transform Uzbekistani carpets into coats, selling them alongside her eclectic handmade jewellery and other fetching accessories by Euro artisans. There's even a small selection of silk scarves and quirky accessories for male individualists.
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Arsenale
Female fashionistas revere Arsenale's understated cool, where you'll find svelte, structuralist creations by Roman designer Patrizia Pieroni. Fabrics are heavenly and the look is just right for that art show opening.
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Artemide
For lamps that light up the world of interior design, head to Artemide. Whether moonlike white globes or so minimalist you hardly notice them til you clock the price tag, this is light as art.
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AS Roma Store
The financial and on-field fortunes of AS Roma, one of Rome's two football teams, have made sorry reading in recent years. Boost the team's coffers by buying a replica shirt or a Roma key ring at this, one of their official club shops, which also sells game tickets.
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AVC by Adriana V Campanile
Roman designer Campanile's shoes and boots are wearable, stunningly chic and practical - and not insanely priced. There are several other branches, including one in Galleria Alberto Sordi (06 678 34 84).
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Bomba
Discerning Romans worship Cristina Bomba's sartorial creations. Here they're mixed with Metradamo and Liviana Conti gowns, Nafi De Luca millinery, Donatella Pellini jewellery and idiosyncratic footwear from Fiorentini & Baker. There's a small selection of modish ties and shoes for men, while bespoke fans can book a Monday appointment with the in-house tailor (a basic dress or suit takes about a week to complete).
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Borini
City girls in the know pile into this unglitzy shop to try on the cool, candy-coloured shoes. Whatever is fashionable this season, be it wedge heels or winklepickers, Borini will have it, at reasonable prices and in a cover-every-eventuality rainbow palette.
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Botega Di Commercio Equo E Solide
Inside the enlightened Città dell'Altra Economia (City of the Other Economy), Bottega di Commercio Equo e Solidale sells eco-friendly threads, accessories and designer recyclables such as funky lolly-wrapper handbags, milk carton purses and lamps made from classic Italian caffetiere (espresso makers).
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Brighenti
You can imagine Sophia Loren popping into this elegant old-fashioned boutique for a well-structured something. Brighenti specialises in star-style luxurious lingerie - think frothy ruffled playsuits and lace-adorned slippers - and sensational too-good-to-get-wet swimming costumes.
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Brioni
Venerable Brioni, all polished wood and gold leaf, has been dressing the world's finest bodies since la dolce vita . Cary Grant was a customer and Pierce Brosnan had himself fitted here for his role as James Bond. Unsurprisingly, the bespoke clothes are expensive: reckon on more than around €2000 for a suit, or around €1300 for a silk skirt.
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Calzature Boccanera
This old-fashioned Testaccio shoe store stocks big designer names at big designer prices. With a great range of men's and women's footwear, here you'll find Tod's, Gucci, Prada and D&G, among others. It's particularly worth a look at sale time.
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Contesta Rock Hair
Minimalist-style, neon rods and a disco ball set the scene for clued-up guys and girls looking for edgy threads. Snap up in-the-know indie labels such as Italy's PHCY and Australia's Insight and Spacecraft, as well as odd-ball extras such as knitted Mexican wrestling masks.
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Davide Cenci
If your look is immaculate conservative elegance (blazers, slacks and brogues in summer; tweed and flannels in winter) and you never get creased, you'll love Davide Cenci. This store carries a selection of top Italian and international labels - such as Tod's and Ralph Lauren - for men, women and children.
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De Bach
Squeezed between the big-name outlets, De Bach sells glittering shoes for girls with attitude. Six-inch stiletto-heeled sandals in gold and silver are not for the faint-hearted but, hell, lady, you're the boss.
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Diesel
Diesel, purveyor of low-slung jeans and inventive, clubby clothes, is an Italian brand, and its Roman flagship store has a good selection of what makes the self-consciously hip hordes keep coming back. There are branches at Via del Babuino 94 (06 693 80 053) and Via Cola di Rienzo 245.
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Distanes
A laid-back shop specializing in women's vintage clothes and accessories from the 1960s and '70s, Distanes exudes a retro charm reminiscent of the great tie-dye years.
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Elio Ferraro
Style queens raid these racks for classic one-off outfits and collectable prototypes - think Tom Ford feather dress designed for Gucci that's straight off the runway. Highlights include vintage Pucci, Missoni and Valentino, mixed in with architect-cum-designer Elio's own creations. Match it all with cult interior design pieces from the 1950s to 1980s.
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Emporio Armani
Roll up for Giorgio Armani's range of ready-to-wear suits and separates for men and women. Armani Jeans, diagonally across the road at No 70a, carries the Armani jeans and sportswear collection.
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Ethic
With clothes that fall just the right side of boho, this is one of Italy's most individual women's clothing chains, with retro-influenced, original, bold designs. Despite the tinge of hippy-dippy chic, clothes are eminently wearable, in interesting colours, fabrics and designs.
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Etro
The kind of clothes you'll find in Etro will never make anything less than a screaming statement. Loud and bold designs adorn fine fabrics in all sorts of daring combinations. Don't be surprised if you come across black and white Dalmatian patterns, comic strip prints and plenty of paisley as you rummage the racks.
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Fabio Piccioni
This ivy-shaded treasure-trove is the domain of artisan Fabio Piccioni. A walking exhibition of his own designs, he recycles old trinkets to create attractive Art Deco-inspired jewellery that, if he doesn't sell, he wears himself.
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Fausto Santini
High on kudos, Fausto Santini - a former lawyer who gave up the bar for the boot - is famous for his quixotic, colourful shoe designs, and no hipster's wardrobe is complete without a pair of his sleek boots or colourful mules. For bargains and previous seasons' designs, check out the outlet store at Via Cavour 106 (06 488 09 34), near the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore.
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Gente
Yet another label-savvy wardrobe wonder, stocking superlative Italian and foreign labels such as Prada, Miu Miu, Helmut Lang and Anna Sui. Those with more style than savings should pop into Outlet Gente for remainders and last-season reductions.
