Leather, Florence

The quality of products at this ship were great. The owner was in the shop and terrific to work with. I lost his card, so if anyone goes there and can get his email address I would appreciate it. I'm back in the US now and would like to order Christmas gifts from him.

What to buy: Bags, luggage, wallets

What to pay: Nice bag for 110 euro

I highly recommend Maren’s personal shopping service. I had a very short time in Florence as I was on a cruise and we had only a day in port. Maren easily accommodated my schedule and even planned an informal wine tasting walking tour within Florence for my husband while we were busy shopping. It was a most enjoyable shopping experience and I would definitely recommend it!

What to buy: Gold, Leather, Fashion

florenceshop4it.com is a service rather than a shop. I stumbled across a review for it here, while searching for tips on buying leather in Florence. The service is a personal shopper, Maren, who will guide you to great shops in Florence where you can buy quality merchandise, and get discounts too. I have never been so decadent as to use a personal shopper before, but I wanted to be sure I did not get ripped off by shop keepers looking to make a few extra euros from Americans. My primary mission was a leather jacket which I have been wanting since my first trip to Florence 3 years ago. I did not have the money to buy one at that time and vowed to come back when I did. Maren took me to two very nice leather shops and I ended up buying a beautiful Loro Piana jacket that I cannot wait to wear when it is cool enough. We also went shoe shopping where I got a pair of handmade leather boots and some suede shoes, all top quality. Maren is very nice and very helpful with advice on what looks good on you. And she can recommend shops for non-clothing items as well. When we parted she was on her way to check out a shop where you can make custom perfumes. Her dog Chia is a wonderful bonus to the experience. She is the first dog I have ever seen who will do an arabesque on command! And she butters up the shopkeepers who absolutely adore her. :) This service is definitely worth the money, and a lot of fun too. Thanks Maren!!

What to buy: Leather, shoes, jewelry, gifts

What to pay: 75 euros for the service. Let Maren know your budget for your purchases so she can guide you to the appropriate shops.

We hired a Maren, a personal shopper who lives part time in Florence and Washington State. She conducts her business in a professional manner. Maren replied to every e-mail immediately. She provided all the information in detail that was requested. Communicating with Maren was easy and pleasant. We felt we would be in good hands shopping in a foreign country.

With an unexpected change in plans we had a very limited time to shop in Florence, Maren was a lifesaver. She was able to expedite our shopping by taking us to shops that had good quality leather products. She was able to get us discounts on the handbags, wallets & belts that we purchased.

We had an extremely good time with Maren. She made you feel like you were her most important client. She knew our names and introduced us to the shop owners. She was patient and gracious! We just loved her!

Maren is a delightful American woman who speaks Italian and knows everyone! I only had a few days in Florence and wanted to buy some leather and gold jewelry. My Italian is insufficent for bargaining and besides, I don't like bargaining for a good price. Maren ushered me to the right stores for quality stuff at the right times (store hours are hard to figure out). I am very pleased with my new leather jackets. We also had a blast shopping for wonderful Italian gold jewelry. Maren is gracious and a delightful, KNOWLEDGEABLE guide!

What to buy: leather jackets, gold jewelry

What to pay: $75 euros for 3 hours. So worth it!

I wasn't intending buying anything (budget wise and because I was flying Ryanair Hand Luggage only, with their tight restrictions).
However, my hotel was next to the San Lorenzo markets, so I passed through on Christmas Eve and Monday 26th.

Although I wasn't intending to buy, a particular style of coat caught my eye, and a stall holder quoted me 150 Euros-I said I'd think about it.
Another Stall holder 'enticed' me to his shop -(I went because I was curious to find out how much he would charge and what his Sales tactics would be ("50% discount- only because it's Christmas"/ How much money Have You got? (20 Euros was my honest reply) Have you got a Credit Card? (No-well it was in my Hotel Room)/We can do shipping (I'd rather take it back myself/wear it) Back in my hotel though, I decided that This was THE Coat for me! I was planning on offering 95-100 Euros or less and was ready for some haggling practice!

The Market was closed next day, but on the 26th, I had a wander into some of the leather shops that were open.

One was Remo2 on Via Ponte alle Mosse (next to the Central Market)

Here I was met by Marco. I spotted the coat that I'd seen and asked to try it on. Straight away he said that this wasn't the coat for me - it was wrong for my height and body shape. I tried it on, and yes he was right- far too bulky and made me look a few sizes larger. He then proceeded to offer other styles that he thought were better suited to me - pointing out how they made my body look in them - ie taller/slimmer (Blimey, I'd found a Macho Italian Gok Wan!). He also explained that he could shorten the sleeves etc on his machine.
Also I got an explanation of the different skins used- the soft lamb skin, tougher buffalo, antelope etc, plus the obligatory cigarette lighter test- to prove that it's leather which doesn't burn or mark unlike pvc etc. He also pointed out one piece of poor quality, where the pieces of skin didn't match.

I'd explained that I wasn't intending buying, but would return to Florence later to purchase at least one coat/jacket. I was expecting this to be ignored and for 'The Hard Sell' to kick in, but it didn't.

On my last day in Florence, I returned to this shop to remind myself of the coats/jackets I'd tried on, expecting to see Marco, but was met by a shifty young chap who tried the 'Hard Sell' Straight away offering me 'the Magic 50% discount'.
I decided to 'test him out' by asking to try on the coat that I'd initially liked the look of- Oh yes, he said it suited me and mentioned the 50% discount again-I'd already seen this ploy in action in other shops where coats labelled 300 Euros were 'instantly'reduced to 150 Euros (Though most coats /jackets aren't labelled with a price).

I mentioned that I'd been in previously and had dealt with Marco who had shown me some other styles and also mentioned that I wasn't buying and that I was returning home later that day- He tried the Credit Card/Shipping ploy-but I think he realised that he'd 'lost me'
Shortly after Marco appeared and we went through the jackets I'd tried on previously. Again I explained that I wasn't buying, but would return later, which didn't seem to be a problem

So, I'd recommend looking around the market stalls/shops of San Lorenzo etc, keeping your eyes and ears open and keep going back to a shop/ store holder that You're happy with, before making your final decision.

What to buy: Leather coats or jackets
Butter soft leather gloves - cashmere lined for warmth.
Handbags/purses/wallets/ holdalls

Leather bound note books
key rings etc

What to pay: From a few Euros for a key fob to as much as your bank manager will allow!

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The Leather School attached to Santa Croce is very well known. It was founded after the Second World War to provide war orphans with a trade from which a living could be made. Much later, this social welfare program expanded to inamtes at Murate prison and in juvenile detention facilities. Today, training in leather goods continues, and tourists and visitors to Florence can take advantage in one of the short courses available -- what a souvenir, to bring home a leather book cover you've made yourself! Of course, at 190 euros plus the 20% VAT, you may be better off just buying one.

Goods crafted in the Leather School are sold in La Bottega. A wide variety of small goods are available, and if you wish to have something gold-stamped, it can be done while you wait. There are also lovely coats and even furniture available.

Certainly you will be able to find less-expensive leather goods in Florence. But isn't it nice to provide a benefit to a School which began with such a social mission?

What to buy: I loved the men's belts, but all the leather goods were beautiful -- I purchased a jewelry roll for my daughter-in-law and was thrilled to learn that I could have her initials stamped into the buttery-soft leather.

What to pay: Exquisite hand-made goods are expensive. That jewelry roll ran more than $100.00.

I am a self-described shopaholic and clothes horse, but speak barely a word of Italian and didn't want to spend my vacation searching for the perfect place to find stylish Italian clothing (and shoes.)
I signed up for a guided tour with Maren Erickson at florenceshop4it.com. She is fabulous! For the last 2 years, I have come home with a fashion-forward wardrobe, but also age appropriate (I am in my 50s). Going shopping with Maren is like having your best friend at your side. She has lived in Florence for years and speaks both English(she is American) and Italian. Not only does she know the best shops and is able to get you a discounts, but she also has a wonderful eye for what works best for you.
Save yourself time and frustration by setting up a tour tailored to what you need.