Women's Clothing, Rome

Just a general warning to you intrepid shoppers out there.... my silliest mistake was to rush and buy a pair of leather boots from a gorgeous assistant in a lovely shop (not the shops fault so no names here!). I tried on, pranced and danced around the store in glee and paid up, carried the goods home to England and was so fussy about my Italian leather boots I wore them straight away to show my two younger (and also shopaholic) sisters! Both of them wanted to try them on immediately - being of a similar size I consented! Then oh my gosh, sister number two said..." where did you say these boots are from?" and I proudly said "Italy"!! She then showed me the damming little sign that said "Made in China" What I would have given to have the ground swallow me up!

What to buy: Real Italian leather shoes are just fabulous!

So make sure you read the labels!

What to pay: I spend as much as I can afford - they are so stylish and last for ever!

Italian style is particular as italian people
all shop in this famous square are the best of italian style
cavalli gucci dolce & gabbana
I love their style

What to buy: a GUCCI ' bag
a Cavalli' jeans
a t-shirt of dolce & gabbana
a pair of shoes of PRADA
ok that's all
than you ask to the hotel if they need someone who clean the room (beacause you need money...ah ah)
enjoy to ROME is a special place

What to pay: first of all you need a large credit or a grat husband who want to make you happy

My favorite boutiques in Rome are:

Salvatore Ferragamo at: Via de Condotti 73, Rome.
Ferragamo also have a smaller boutique right at the foot of the Spanish Steps. Their shoes are simply to-die for! And they are almost 40% to 50% cheaper than if you were to buy them in Asia! If I can't carry too many boxes of shoes back to Singapore, I'll get them to ship it instead. The sales assistants are friendly and if you buy a few pairs of shoes, they'll even give you a discount (that is, if you manage to charm them enough).

La Perla at: Via De Condotti 79, Rome
Wearing La Perla lingerie would make any woman feel sexy. But most importantly, it costs 40% cheaper to buy here vis-a-vis shopping in Asia (the worst country to shop in Asia is Japan. Everything is so expensive there!).

Missoni at: Via del Babuino 102, Rome
I love, love, love Missoni! And the boutique is conveniently located right across the Spanish Steps.

What to buy: If you come from Asia (like me), most Italian designer clothings and shoes cost almost 50% more than what you would pay if you were to buy it in Italy. I am referring to big designer brands like Gucci, Ferragamo, Gianfranco Ferre, Gianni Versace et al.

So, if you ever see an Asian (Japanese or Chinese) shopping at Via Condotti or at Via Veneto like there is no tomorrow... you now know the reason why! ;-)

I usually bring along a half-filled luggage so that I can replenish most of my clothes and shoes when I'm in Italy.

Sometimes, my girlfriends give me a list of their shopping to do. That's fine for me. I don't mind shopping for them because I enjoy more discounts at these boutiques if I were to buy in bulk.

These shopping malls are worth checking out:

- Centro Commerciale La Romanina
Address: Via Enrico Ferri, Roma, 00169

Touted as the biggest and most crowded shopping mall in Rome, this place sells everything! If you run out of cash, not to worry. There are banks and ATM machines where you can quickly withdraw your Euros. Hungry? Not to worry again. There are many cafes and restaurants to make you go dizzy ;-)

- Cinecittà Due
Address: Via Vincenzo Lamaro, Roma, 00173

Another huge shopping mall which sells everything!

La Rinascente

La Rinascente is one of the most famous department stores in Italy and one of my favorite places to shop when I'm in Rome.

Usually I'll come to replenish my Princess Marcella Borghese face products and make-up. Yes, I am currently using this Italian brand and I must admit, I love their eye-mask best! Molto buono!

What to buy: Shoes, Women's and Men's clothes, Cosmetics.... Household products, designer wear etc. They sell everything here!

What to pay: Expect to pay department store prices and more (for designer products)...

Ask around at your hotel or hostel, but there are plenty of small shops that offer Italian clothes at very low prices. I was sent to the center of town to investigate these bargain paradises.

What to buy: I know all the sweatshops are in Romania, but for some reason Italy is the place to go to get cheap designer clothing. Such good quality too! Everything seems to be sexy and clingy, so don't go overboard or you'll be mistaken for a transsexual.

What to pay: € 20,- to € 50,- for things. expect massive discounts.

Most things for sale here are women's clothes but they also have a section with very nice gifts.

What to buy: For you mother or girlfriend/wife you can buy a beautiful shawl and for your father or boyfriend/husband you can buy espresso cups and beautiful mugs. Of course there are many other things, so take a good look around. Fantastic staff. There weren't enough espresso cups, so they called to the other OMAI shop in Rome and asked if they still had the cups, and they did. We thought we had to get the cups ourselves in the other shop, but one employee went on his scooter to bring us the cups, now that's what I call good service!! If you want to laugh ask them to wrap the cups and saucers as a present :D It takes ages but is really funny indeed!!!

What to pay: Shawls are 20 or 32 euro and the espresso cups with saucer are 7 euro.

The Via Condotti is famous for its designer shops. In fact I think you have to have lots of money before you can even enter some of these!!!

As shopping is my least favourite pastime I have never actually been in any shops along here, just strolled along.

It is here at No. 87 at the Cafe Greco where literists Goethe, Keats, Shelley, Byrom and Wagner used to hang out!