Originally Posted by maryg1

I've been several times, prices are quite high even if it's an outlet but you can still find good deals. For instance, a Gucci all leather bag can still cost around 500 - 800 euro. If you have a free day it's fun to go there, but don't have too high expectations about low prices.

Originally Posted by Wentworth-Roth

I was at The Mall last year in November. It's a tourist trap in my honest opinion. They sell old merchandise (of course) at a rather high price. I did not find any bargains when I was there. Additionally, it is full of tourists and quite out of the way. I think the US has better outlets, so save your precious time.

thanks! maybe i'll skip out on the mall this trip. have you ever been to the prada outlet called SPACE? is it good?

also do you know if there's any good shopping places (and deals - especially deals) in rome? since the meeting is there (and for 3 days) and there's scheduled free time there, perhaps i can limit my shopping to rome, but i heard the shopping is better in florence.

thanks in advanced !

Originally Posted by dr. twiggers

I have to disagree...you can ABSOLUTELY see both galleries in one day. You just need to buy your tickets in advance so you avoid the lines. The Accademia is very small....not much to see aside from David and the other sculptures. Maybe 1 hour tops (if that). Uffizi can be done within 90 minutes as well. Unless you're someone who has to stop at every.single.painting and listen to the audio guide for every one.

Originally Posted by terrianne

Well, maybe, if you rush through... but if she is only spending one day in Florence, including travel time to/from, that makes for a very rushed day to include all the other stops as well. It also depends on how one views fine art. I'm speaking from an art history background, so the idea of 90 minutes to get a full appreciation of the works at Uffizi seems impossible to me, but to get the highlights, sure.

thanks for the advanced! i'll get my tickets in advance online :) do the tickets need to be mailed to you (like the eurorail tickets) or are they printable? cause maybe i'll buy one first for one day and see if i can finish one gallery first before i rush to the second?

i have varying levels of art appreciation so i'll have to get there to see :) i love going museums with my art history friend though - it makes the piece much more interesting hearing it from her point of view, but unfortunately she's not coming with me.

Originally Posted by bambistyle

thanks! maybe i'll skip out on the mall this trip. have you ever been to the prada outlet called SPACE? is it good? also do you know if there's any good shopping places (and deals - especially deals) in rome? since the meeting is there (and for 3 days) and there's scheduled free time there, perhaps i can limit my shopping to rome, but i heard the shopping is better in florence. thanks in advanced !

Yes, I have been to Space the same day I visited The Mall. It is very large and carries a lot of stock: bags, shoes, RTW, accessories and perfume. The prices are like 50% off the current/old retail price.

Went to Rome in April and for me the best bits were St Peter's and the Sistine Chapel. You can now visit these at night time which might help with fitting everything in. Get the tickets from the official website though as it is much cheaper - easily found on Google.

Originally Posted by Wentworth-Roth

Yes, I have been to Space the same day I visited The Mall. It is very large and carries a lot of stock: bags, shoes, RTW, accessories and perfume. The prices are like 50% off the current/old retail price.

so would you recommend going to space then? or is it more of a full day adventure?
perhaps i can fit it in the morning and hit the accademia after

Originally Posted by cvw1004

Went to Rome in April and for me the best bits were St Peter's and the Sistine Chapel. You can now visit these at night time which might help with fitting everything in. Get the tickets from the official website though as it is much cheaper - easily found on Google.

thank you!!! i'll see how it goes! the company i am working for hired a tour guide for rome, but since i'm going to florence and milan on my own dime i thought i'd plan that more! however, if they do miss those two places during the tour i will definitely go during my "free time". thank you so much for your suggestion! do you know where the best shopping/bargins are in rome?

Originally Posted by bambistyle

so would you recommend going to space then? or is it more of a full day adventure? perhaps i can fit it in the morning and hit the accademia after

I think The Space is a much nicer shopping experience than The Mall. However, The Space only carries Prada, whereas The Mall carries a lot of different labels.

I think if you hire a taxi you can do The Space in the morning and return to Florence at noon. If you use public transportation it takes a lot longer, since The Space is at the outskirts of a small village several dozens of km from Florence.

Originally Posted by Wentworth-Roth

I think The Space is a much nicer shopping experience than The Mall. However, The Space only carries Prada, whereas The Mall carries a lot of different labels. I think if you hire a taxi you can do The Space in the morning and return to Florence at noon. If you use public transportation it takes a lot longer, since The Space is at the outskirts of a small village several dozens of km from Florence.

Have you ever been to the Il Salvagente in Milan? How is it in comparison?
In terms of a trip Il Salvagente is much closer from the city and I'm slightly worried I'll be constrained for time but I want to shop

Has anyone visited Il Salvagente? Is it good, bad, worth the trip? Are the prices decent? Anyone has been to all three?

I have never heard of this shop. If its famous like The Space or The Mall people might have reviewed it online.

Originally Posted by Wentworth-Roth

I have never heard of this shop. If its famous like The Space or The Mall people might have reviewed it online.

Thanks!!! Anyways - I thought of you today, Wentworth, when I was in Florence - I was in the flee market I saw a similar bag that reminded me of your ostrich LV bag

^I am planning a trip to Milan this summer and Il Salvagente is on my list, too. From what I have read (2008/2009 though) it is hard to find and packed, but the selection is good and everything is usually 50 % off regular prices.


Other outlet/consignment/vintage designer shops I have found through online search that might be worth a visit:

http://dmagazine.it/


Then there's the 10 Corso Como Outlet, but I am sure you know about that?http://www.10corsocomo.com/milano/#outlet

Mercatino Michela Di Mimi http://www.mercatinomichela.com/

Vintage Delirium, Via Sacchi, 3
 http://www.vintagedeliriumfj.com/


Cavalli & Nastri, Via Brera, 2
 http://www.adreamcalledfashion.com/2...n-cavalli.html


Lipstick Vintage, Corso Garibaldi, 79
 http://www.adreamcalledfashion.com/2...-in-milan.html


Vestistock, Via Bernardino Ramazzini, 11


Hope I am not too late with this recommendations and you have a great - no, wonderful! - time in Italy. I'd love to hear from your trip to Milan if you don't mind sharing .

Originally Posted by Belle de Jour

^I am planning a trip to Milan this summer and Il Salvagente is on my list, too. From what I have read (2008/2009 though) it is hard to find and packed, but the selection is good and everything is usually 50 % off regular prices. Other outlet/consignment/vintage designer shops I have found through online search that might be worth a visit: http://dmagazine.it/ Then there's the 10 Corso Como Outlet, but I am sure you know about that?http://www.10corsocomo.com/milano/#outlet Mercatino Michela Di Mimi http://www.mercatinomichela.com/ Vintage Delirium, Via Sacchi, 3 http://www.vintagedeliriumfj.com/ Cavalli & Nastri, Via Brera, 2 http://www.adreamcalledfashion.com/2...n-cavalli.html Lipstick Vintage, Corso Garibaldi, 79 http://www.adreamcalledfashion.com/2...-in-milan.html Vestistock, Via Bernardino Ramazzini, 11 Hope I am not too late with this recommendations and you have a great - no, wonderful! - time in Italy. I'd love to hear from your trip to Milan if you don't mind sharing .

Hello!!! I'm actually back from Milan now~

In my opinion, Il Salvagente (nor was Vestistock) wasn't worth the time - it was a little harder to find - it's in a residential area and is in the courtyard between the apartments. Depending on where you live (USA) it's like a TJ Maxx or Marshalls or (Canada) Winners - but not that big. For those who aren't sure of what those stores are like, its basically rows and rows of clothes on hangers orangized by size and type (shirt, skirt, etc) and you dig through them to see if you find what you like - each article of clothing is unique - if you find it in another section they will most likely not have another one if it is damaged or not have it in your size) I don't mind these kinds of stores back at home, but I didn't want to spend my time there since it's about a 30-40 minute walk uptown from central Milan (specifically the Duomo). It doesn't have many bags (maybe one shelf?) and a couple shelves of shoes (but only 1 pair of each style - what ever is out is out no multiple sizes). The rest are all older season clothes and blazers and stuff. If you're into buying designer clothing it might appeal more to you, but I would prefer to purchase designer bags and accessories.

However, SPACE near Florence this year was AMAZING. It has current season stuff for less than 50% off!!!

They even had the Saffiano Luxe Totes there for 720 euros (no zipper) in Cameo, Clay, and Black - only one of each so girls were running for them. They have all the wallets I saw on the website (normally 350 euro for long wallets - at the outlet it was 195 euros; 150 euros for the smaller wallets - all saffiano leather or lambskin [?/smooth leather]). Vinyl bags ranged from 220-390 euros. Miu Miu bags were there - they had the mini bow satchel there for 390 euros (AHHH - bad story here - I actually got my hands on one of them and last minute decided that I didn't want it anymore and went into the actual store later after regretting it and found out it was ~900 euros AHHHH. I am SOOO kicking myself not buying it there and then!!! I regret it so much that i would actually pay someone who's going to SPACE a little bit more to buy it for me and ship it to me. =Q= *so mad at myself*)

They also had all the typical prada & miu miu high heels (even the gem'ed up heels and stuff) for 230 euros (normally 420 in stores) and flats (250 euros ish?) (the kind of curly ones with the huge bows). They also have a clearance area for flats and shoes (different shelves, 50, 75, 100 euros). They seemed to have all the sizes available - I'm a size 36.5/37 and all the shoes I asked to try on they had my size.

Mini keychains (ie the prada bears and bunnies) were 20 euros.

However, if you are going to SPACE from Florence, I would recommend you take (latest) the 9AM train to the closest station because there will be a line there. I got there at ~9:45 at I was #63 in line (It opens at 10:30 - by the time it opened I believe it was at #210?). They only let the first 200 people in at first. Also in Italy, I found you can't just wave a taxi down off the street. you have to go to the taxi stand or call for them so don't forget to get their card. The taxi driver (Lucca) had a set price list - so 12 euros each way from SPACE to the train station. He'd also drive you to the Mall from SPACE but I forgot for how much (~120 euros?)

If you don't want to make the trip to SPACE, the Mall's Prada store had pretty much the same stock - minus majority of the miu miu stuff and the more sought after prada items (though they had the square zipped saffiano handbag for 620 and the rectangular one for 590 there). they have some of the new 'flames' line there too. Both locations had sunglasses but the prices weren't displayed so I'm not sure. If you notice a flaw in ur item, let the SA's know so you can get a different one or get a deducted price. I believe my heels were scratched on the inside of the shoe so they knocked 50 euros off.

The mall had pretty decent sales too - depending on what you are looking for. There is an Alexander McQueen outlet there with shoes, bags, and scarves. The scarves were 105 euros and had the skull scarves - but not the classical type, but the "leopard" looking style and the "God Save McQueen" and a couple other newer but not classic skull scarf there. Gucci had a lot of shoes for ~200 euros but mainly peep toes and sandals (not my type of shoes).

But now I'm back home and the airplane lost my luggage :S So i'm a little antsy right now cause in Milan if you want your VAT refund you have to put all your VAT purchases in your luggage (unless you want to go into a separate area inside the checked in area/customs area to do it) and I was short on time so I put all my goods in there and its lost........

bambistyle, sorry for the late reply, I didn't have time for a proper answer before.
I hope they have found your luggage by now?! What did you buy?

Anyway, thank you so much for taking the time to review Il Salvagente/Vestistock! I live in Germany, so the closest thing to TJ Maxx I know is TK Maxx. On vacation I don't like to rummage through piles of clothes to find hidden gems either, so I won't be making the trips there.

You are making me reconsider planning a trip to The Mall + Space though!
It sounds like you went to The Mall the same day you went to Space - I conclude that no waiting in lines was needed to shop at The Mall, so I should go to Space first, right?
I love Miu Miu/Prada and YSL/AMQ equally as much, so I have to visit both of them I guess!

Originally Posted by Belle de Jour

bambistyle, sorry for the late reply, I didn't have time for a proper answer before. I hope they have found your luggage by now?! What did you buy? Anyway, thank you so much for taking the time to review Il Salvagente/Vestistock! I live in Germany, so the closest thing to TJ Maxx I know is TK Maxx. On vacation I don't like to rummage through piles of clothes to find hidden gems either, so I won't be making the trips there. You are making me reconsider planning a trip to The Mall + Space though! It sounds like you went to The Mall the same day you went to Space - I conclude that no waiting in lines was needed to shop at The Mall, so I should go to Space first, right? I love Miu Miu/Prada and YSL/AMQ equally as much, so I have to visit both of them I guess!

yes! they found my luggage and shipped it to my house - so i didn't have to pay for customs! yay! hahhaa

i bought:
- 2 prada wallets (one in cobalto & one in peony) from SPACE - each 150 euros
- 1 pair of prada heels in bluette - 195 euros SPACE
- 1 pair of fendi heels - the mall - 150 euros
- 1 hot pink alexander mcqueen skull scarf (leopard print) - 90 euros - the mall
- 1 neon pink bag from carpisa - 25 euros
- 1 ysl arty ring - 195 euros
everything over 150 euros i was able to get a 12% vat refund at the airport

i went to the mall and space in the same day - got to space at opening (go to space first) and then took the train to the mall and was there until closing. i spent most my time at space. if you do go space and see something you like - just buy it - if anything if you change your mind you can sell it on ebay and probably get your money back and more. there's also a prada/miu miu outlet at the mall that's very similar but the variety is much less.

the mall also has some very good deals! but i must say the biggest discount was at SPACE prada.

let me know if you have any other questions :)

i can't post pictures of what i bought since i left my camera at my parents place hahaha

Originally Posted by bambistyle

Hello!!! I'm actually back from Milan now~ In my opinion, Il Salvagente (nor was Vestistock) wasn't worth the time - it was a little harder to find - it's in a residential area and is in the courtyard between the apartments. Depending on where you live (USA) it's like a TJ Maxx or Marshalls or (Canada) Winners - but not that big. For those who aren't sure of what those stores are like, its basically rows and rows of clothes on hangers orangized by size and type (shirt, skirt, etc) and you dig through them to see if you find what you like - each article of clothing is unique - if you find it in another section they will most likely not have another one if it is damaged or not have it in your size) I don't mind these kinds of stores back at home, but I didn't want to spend my time there since it's about a 30-40 minute walk uptown from central Milan (specifically the Duomo). It doesn't have many bags (maybe one shelf?) and a couple shelves of shoes (but only 1 pair of each style - what ever is out is out no multiple sizes). The rest are all older season clothes and blazers and stuff. If you're into buying designer clothing it might appeal more to you, but I would prefer to purchase designer bags and accessories. However, SPACE near Florence this year was AMAZING. It has current season stuff for less than 50% off!!! They even had the Saffiano Luxe Totes there for 720 euros (no zipper) in Cameo, Clay, and Black - only one of each so girls were running for them. They have all the wallets I saw on the website (normally 350 euro for long wallets - at the outlet it was 195 euros; 150 euros for the smaller wallets - all saffiano leather or lambskin [?/smooth leather]). Vinyl bags ranged from 220-390 euros. Miu Miu bags were there - they had the mini bow satchel there for 390 euros (AHHH - bad story here - I actually got my hands on one of them and last minute decided that I didn't want it anymore and went into the actual store later after regretting it and found out it was ~900 euros AHHHH. I am SOOO kicking myself not buying it there and then!!! I regret it so much that i would actually pay someone who's going to SPACE a little bit more to buy it for me and ship it to me. =Q= *so mad at myself*) They also had all the typical prada & miu miu high heels (even the gem'ed up heels and stuff) for 230 euros (normally 420 in stores) and flats (250 euros ish?) (the kind of curly ones with the huge bows). They also have a clearance area for flats and shoes (different shelves, 50, 75, 100 euros). They seemed to have all the sizes available - I'm a size 36.5/37 and all the shoes I asked to try on they had my size. Mini keychains (ie the prada bears and bunnies) were 20 euros. However, if you are going to SPACE from Florence, I would recommend you take (latest) the 9AM train to the closest station because there will be a line there. I got there at ~9:45 at I was #63 in line (It opens at 10:30 - by the time it opened I believe it was at #210?). They only let the first 200 people in at first. Also in Italy, I found you can't just wave a taxi down off the street. you have to go to the taxi stand or call for them so don't forget to get their card. The taxi driver (Lucca) had a set price list - so 12 euros each way from SPACE to the train station. He'd also drive you to the Mall from SPACE but I forgot for how much (~120 euros?) If you don't want to make the trip to SPACE, the Mall's Prada store had pretty much the same stock - minus majority of the miu miu stuff and the more sought after prada items (though they had the square zipped saffiano handbag for 620 and the rectangular one for 590 there). they have some of the new 'flames' line there too. Both locations had sunglasses but the prices weren't displayed so I'm not sure. If you notice a flaw in ur item, let the SA's know so you can get a different one or get a deducted price. I believe my heels were scratched on the inside of the shoe so they knocked 50 euros off. The mall had pretty decent sales too - depending on what you are looking for. There is an Alexander McQueen outlet there with shoes, bags, and scarves. The scarves were 105 euros and had the skull scarves - but not the classical type, but the "leopard" looking style and the "God Save McQueen" and a couple other newer but not classic skull scarf there. Gucci had a lot of shoes for ~200 euros but mainly peep toes and sandals (not my type of shoes). But now I'm back home and the airplane lost my luggage :S So i'm a little antsy right now cause in Milan if you want your VAT refund you have to put all your VAT purchases in your luggage (unless you want to go into a separate area inside the checked in area/customs area to do it) and I was short on time so I put all my goods in there and its lost........

Thank you for the tips! Hubby and I are planning a road trip to Italy in a few weeks time. Florence is one of our destinations. The nearest Prada outlet is around 3 1/2 hrs drive away but I've never been to a SPACE before! Reading your posts get me really excited *lol*

Originally Posted by sansandy

Thank you for the tips! Hubby and I are planning a road trip to Italy in a few weeks time. Florence is one of our destinations. The nearest Prada outlet is around 3 1/2 hrs drive away but I've never been to a SPACE before! Reading your posts get me really excited *lol*

Do you mean that the nearest prada outlet is 3.5 hrs drive away from Florence or from your home? Because Prada outlets are definitely not that far from Florence.