Designer Shopping in Italy
If designer brands are your thing, but you also do not want to burn a hole in that beautiful Salvatore Ferragamo purse, designer outlet malls are here for you! Once you have been to Italy’s designer outlet stores, I promise that you will stop shopping at any other random factory outlets in Asia.
About Italy’s Designer Outlet Stores
Italy has designer outlet stores (or malls) near the bustling big cities of Milan, Florence, and Rome. They can take some time to get there, but the amount of money saved is worth the time spent. Imagine Gucci, Burberry, Armani, Yves Saint Laurent and Sergio Rossi at a 50% discount. It is impossible to resist shopping in Italy! My favourite shopping city in Italy is Florence.
#TrevellersTip: Visit Italy at the end of June or beginning of July for their crazy summer sales! The shops also do not open on Sunday, so do your sight-seeing on Sunday and shop on the other 6 days. They sales start around the last week of June, so tighten your belts and shop away in Italy.
All the discounts being said, it is important to note that the items on discount are from the previous season.
Milan Designer Outlet Stores
Milan, the fashion city of Italy. Every aspect of the city is simply too stunning and captivating. Everyone in central Milan is fashionably dressed and the architecture in the city is outstanding. When it comes to fashion, I love shopping in random alleys and finding unique yet stylish items. They are similar prices to the huge fashion brands, but their items are truly unique. I shop at luxury brands outside of Milan, at the outlet malls.
Serravalle Designer Outlet
What: 300 over designer brands like Harmont & Blaine, Guess, Swarovski for up to 70% discount of the original price. It is also the largest outlet in Europe that is easy to reach and beautiful to shop.
Address: Via Della Moda 1, Serravalle Scrivia | Stay Here
Getting There:
- Car (1 hour), take the A7 toward Genova/Bologna/Venezia and take exit Serravalle Scrivia.
- Train (1 hour 20 mins + 10 min taxi), take the train from Milano Centrale to Arquata Scrivia, then a taxi to the outlet.
- Shuttle bus, take the 10am bus from Milano Foro Bonaparte with Zani Viaggi, 20 euros return (call 02 867 131).
- Opening Hours: 10am – 9pm daily
Website: http://www.mcarthurglen.it/serravalle/home/home.php
Contact: 0143 609000
Personal comments: I find that the designer outlet malls can get too overwhelming. What I recommend is to look narrow down on brands you are interested in and visit them first. Then, you can take time to stroll through the mall for other brands. Otherwise, you’ll want to buy every-damn-thing you see.
Foxtown Factory Outlet
What: As crazy as it sounds, this is located in Switzerland. So, you will have to travel to another country! A huge mall that has over 200 brands. Foxtown Outlet mall charges in Swiss Francs, but also accept Euros and international bank cards. This is one of my favourite malls to shop because it is huge and they have many luxury brands at a huge discount.
Address: Via A. Maspoli 18, Mendrisio, Ticino, Switzerland | Accommodation nearby
Getting There from Milan:
- Car (50min), take A9/E35 towards Lugano. Follow A8, A9 and A2 to Via Franco Zorzi in Mendrisio, Svizra. Take exit 52-Mendrisio from A2.
- Train(1 hr), take the train from Milano Porta Garibaldi to Chiasso, Switzerland, then take a shuttle bus or taxi or train (10 mins) to the outlet. Alright at Mendrisio station.
- Shuttle bus (40 mins), take the Zani Viaggi bus from central Milan, 20 euros return (call 02 867 131).
Opening Hours: 11am – 7pm daily
Website: http://www.foxtown.ch/info.php
Contact: +41 (0)848 828888
Personal comments: I really enjoy Foxtown. In fact, I’ve returned there THREE times! You need to devote one entire day to hunt for the good stuff. I found a Dolce and Gabbana bikini for under €15. My friend found a rare vintage Missoni scarf. It’s best to go early, where there are less people.
Il Salvagente
What: Conveniently located in Milan, this outlet holds popular designer brands like Chloe, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Moschino and Versace.
Address: Via Fratelli Bronzetti 16, Milan central | Accommodations nearby
Getting There:
- By Bus Take the public bus number 60 or 62 to the Bronzetti-Archimede stop
- By Bus Bus number 92 to the Piceno stop.
Opening Hours: Monday: 3 – 7.30pm, Tue-Sat: 10am – 730pm, Sunday: 11am – 7pm
Website: http://www.salvagentemilano.it/
Contact: 0276 110328
Armani
What: Armani outlet store that has all the products of Armani.
Address: Via Provinciale per Bregnano, 12, Vertemate con Minoprio
Getting There:
- Car (40 mins), take the A9 toward Lake Como, take exit Fino Mornasco for the SP27, turn right onto the SS35, and take exit 1A for Via Provinicale per Bregnano.
- Train (40 mins + 15 mins taxi), take the train from Milano Nord Cadona station to Fino Mornasco, then a taxi to the outlet.
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat: 10am – 2pm, 3pm – 7pm
Website: http://www.armani.com/us/giorgioarmani
Contact: 031 887373
Florence Designer Outlet Stores
The Mall
What: Probably the best outlet store, The Mall has leading designer brands like Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Chopard, Dior, Ermenegildo Zegna, Armani, Gucci, Ferragamo, Fendi, Sergio Rossi, Valentino, YSL and more.
Address: Europa 8, Leccio-Reggello | Accommodations nearby
Getting There:
- Car (30 mins), take the A1 motorway toward Rome and take the exit marked Incisa; stay right until Leccio, and after passing the center, you’ll see The Mall on the left.
- Train (35 mins + 5 mins taxi), take the train from Santa Maria Novella to Rignano sull’Arno, then grab a taxi.
- Bus: Take the Florence SITA bus from Via Santa Caterina da Siena 17, near the train station. Buses leave at 8:30, 9, 11, 12:35 Mon-Sat. and 3pm Mon-Sun.
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun: 10am – 7pm
Website: https://www.themall.it/en/outlet-italy/homepage.html
Contact: 055 8657 775
Trevellers Tips: The Mall is good enough, but if you are still interested, visit The Barberino Designer Outlet.
It will be a challenge to stop buying! I bought a pair of Gucci shoes at €230 and Armani sneakers for €50. What a steal! Valentino elegant dresses and YSL coats are also ridiculously reduced, FYI.
The Space (Prada)
What: Prada does not participate in outlet malls except their own outlet store. You can find all of Prada’s line here: Prada, Miu Miu, Prada Sport, etc. You can get Prada at a huge fraction of the prices here. And a Prada bag does not go out of style, let’s be honest here.
Address: Via Levanella Becorpi, Localita Levanella, S.S 69, Montevarchi | We stayed in Florence and drove to The Space
Getting There:
- Car (50 mins), take the A1 motorway toward Rome and take the exit marked Valdarno; take the 1A to Via Poggilupi/SP11, then a right to Strada Lungo l’Arno/SP59 and then a left to Strada d/Arno/SR69. Turn left onto Via Levanella Becorpi.
- Train (35 or 55 mins + 5 mins taxi), take the train from Santa Maria Novella or Campo di Marte to Montevarchi, then grab a taxi.
Opening Hours: 10.30am – 6.30pm
Contact: 055 9789481
Personal comments: I really love this. We bought so many bags, wallets, shoes and scarves. I’m embarrassed by how much we bought. It was too heavy to carry them, luckily we had the car! You really do want to drive.
Fendi
What: Another specialty outlet, this carries all the Fendi products for you Fendi fans.
Address: Via Pian dell’Isola 66/33, Rignano sull’Arno, Reggello | We stayed in Florence and drove to here
Getting There:
- Car (35 mins), take the A1 toward Rome, get off at Incisa, and take a right toward Pian dell’Isola.
- Train (25-35 mins + 10 min walk), take the train from Campo di Marte or Santa Maria Novella, then walk or take a taxi to the outlet.
Opening Hours: 11am – 730pm
Contact: 055 834981
Dolce & Gabbana
What: All the D&G products you can find, the prices are at a very insane cost. You will purchase everything that fits you.
Address: Via S. Maddalena 49, Pian dell’Isola Rignano sull’Arno | We stayed in Florence
Getting There:
- Car (30 mins), take the A1 south toward Rome and get off at the Incisa exist. Turn right and follow the SS 69. Follow signs to the outlet.
- Train (30 or 40 mins + 5 min taxi), take the train from Santa Maria Novella or Campo di Marte to Incisa, then take a taxi.
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat: 9am – 7pm, Sun: 10am – 7pm
Contact: 055 8331300
Personal comments: Do note that Fendi and Dolce & Gabbana are very close. Look out for the yellow sign for Fendi and D&G on the left after you exit the autostrada.
Rome Designer Outlet Stores
Castel Romano Designer Outlet
What: Find Valentino, Robero Cavalli, Furla and 140 over stores.
Address: Via Ponte di Piscina Cupa, 64, Castel Romano. | Accommodations nearby
Getting There:
- Car (20 mins), take the SS 148 south toward Pomezia and take the Castel Romano exit.
- Shuttle bus (40 mins), take the bus from Via Marsala just outside the Termini station, at 10am, 12:30pm, or 3pm, for 13 euros round-trip.
Opening Hours: Mon-Thu: 10am – 8pm, Sat-Sun: 10am – 9pm
Website: http://www.mcarthurglen.it/castelromano/home/home.php
Contact: 0650 50050
Outlets within Rome
What: There are many smaller stores that sell designer products at a steal. These stores are in many places. They are vintage stores, designer stores or secondhand stores. These places are near the Spanish steps.
Address: Look around Piazza Novona and Campo de’Fiori for the many outlets. For example, you can find some of these designer outlets at Via del Governo Vecchio, 45 and Via Frattina, 69. | Accommodations nearby
Getting There: The best way to get around Rome is by foot. You can explore the city and hunt for vintage luxury goods at the same time.
Personal comments: You have to spend time digging for treasures, but it is worth the time. You could easily get Dolce and Gabbana wear at 80% of the sales prices.
Visit Italy for shopping during the summer in June/July for discounts on top of discounts. The discounts are significant and you can get tax rebates when leaving the country! Keep shopping and stay happy.
Also, check out where to get free wifi in Italy.
Trevellers is my way to change the world. Through my stories, tips and lessons learnt, I truly hope to inspire you to get out of your comfort zone, see the world and see who you truly are. Travel is more than just taking a selfie. Travel is an adventure, where you can truly become who you are, give you the time to reflect and grow to become the person you’ve always wanted to be.
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