Do you love fashion and its history? Don’t miss the best stores where to enjoy vintage shopping in Milan, Florence, and Rome, the three cities synonymous with style and high fashion.
Do you love fashion and its history? Don’t miss the best stores where to enjoy vintage shopping in Milan, Florence, and Rome, the three cities synonymous with style and high fashion.
What are the most sought-after destinations for shopping? Of course, the three capitals of Italian fashion: Milan, Florence and Rome, backdrops of prestigious fashion shows and cradle of historical brands loved all over the world.
In addition to the events dedicated to high fashion, enthusiasts can find real vintage shopping gems in these cities. From the most affordable second hand stores to the most exclusive boutiques, here are the coolest shopping locations.
- Is there thrifting in Italy?
- Vintage shopping and thrift stores in Milan
- Thrift stores in Rome
- Vintage shops in Florence
1. Is there thrifting in Italy?
Thrifting, a popular and eco-conscious shopping trend, has found its place in Italy, blending seamlessly with the country’s rich tradition of fashion and craftsmanship. Italy, known worldwide for its high-end fashion houses and luxury brands, also boasts a vibrant scene of thrift stores, vintage shops, and flea markets that cater to a diverse range of styles and budgets.
In cities like Milan, Rome, and Florence, shoppers can discover hidden gems ranging from designer vintage pieces to unique, affordable finds. These thrifting spots not only offer the thrill of the hunt but also promote sustainability and the reuse of garments, aligning with a growing global awareness towards responsible consumption. Thus, thrifting in Italy presents a unique opportunity to explore the country’s fashion heritage while making environmentally conscious shopping choices.
© Boutique Nadine
2. Vintage shopping and thrift stores in Milan
Milan Fashion Week ranks the Lombardy Capital in the list of the Big Four, alongside New York, London and Paris. Milan also plays a central role in the Italian fashion system because of the presence of numerous luxury brands, such as Giorgio Armani, Versace, and Prada, to name only the most famous.
Their flagship stores are a landmark for all shopping addicts, but fashion lovers know that there is more than just the Fashion Quadrilateral and that some of the most beautiful and historically rich garments can be found in vintage stores, among the most distinctive stores in Milan.
Buying a dress or accessory at a second-hand store is definitely among the things to do on a weekend with friends in Milan: ready for paparazzi shots as you leave the fitting room?
Ambroeus – Via Pastrengo, 15
Why not give a second life to the creations of the best designers? Ambroeus is the place to get a makeover and rebuke throwaway fashion. A real landmark in the city and on social media! The Ambroeus’ Instagram page is always very active, presenting garments in a fresh way as part of Milan’s daily life.
Cavalli e Nastri – Via Brera, 2
-
Via Gian Giacomo Mora, 3 e 12
Looking for a used Valentino dress or a retro accessory? Don’t miss the chance to visit one of the most famous vintage stores in Milan: its windows are simply irresistible and welcome vintage clothing and accessories from 1800 to the present day!
Give and Take – Via Mario Pagano, 54
If you love the exclusive second-hand scene, a visit to Give and Take is a must: it’s a fashion treasure trove, just a stone’s throw from Corso Vercelli, a favorite street of the Milans lady folk, where you can buy outfits from top designer labels at super-discounted prices.
Madame Pauline – Foro Buonaparte, 74
Just a few meters from Castello Sforzesco, this elegant salon welcomes you with select offerings and a very French atmosphere. Yielding into temptation is a snap!
Can’t wait to do some vintage shopping? With the Italo trains to Milan, you are one step away from the best fashion stores!
Humana – Via Cappellari, 3
Humana Vintage Shop in Milan, located at Via Cappellari, 3, is part of a wider network of stores known for their curated selection of secondhand and vintage clothing. It stands out for its commitment to sustainability, offering a variety of clothing pieces that are both unique in style and size, sourced from different Italian cities and major European capitals like Paris, Berlin, and Amsterdam. Humana Vintage aims to create a virtuous cycle, giving dignity and employment opportunities to those at the margins of society while promoting environmental stewardship through the reuse and recycling of clothing
SHARE – SECOND HAND REUSE – Via Padova, 36
SHARE – SECOND HAND REUSE, situated at Via Padova, 36, is not just a store but a social initiative by Vesti Solidale, a cooperative society focused on employment integration for disadvantaged people. This store offers a unique shopping experience where customers can find unique clothing items, contributing to social projects with their purchases. The products are carefully selected, ensuring quality and uniqueness, and the proceeds go towards supporting the most disadvantaged in the city, offering jobs to ex-prisoners, disabled individuals, and political refugees, thereby promoting social sustainability
Navigli Vintage & Antique Market
The Navigli Antique Market, held on the last Sunday of each month along the Naviglio Grande, is Milan’s largest outdoor flea market and a must-visit for vintage and antique lovers. This sprawling market stretches almost 2 kilometers along the oldest canal in Milan, featuring around 400 stalls where you can find a wide variety of items including antique furniture, books, paintings, jewelry, second-hand clothes, and vintage vinyl. The scenic setting along the canal, coupled with the eclectic mix of products and the vibrant crowd it attracts, makes it a unique shopping experience. Besides shopping, the market area is surrounded by trendy cafés and restaurants, perfect for a leisurely break.
3. Thrift stores in Rome
A haven of haute couture and fine dressing, the Capital has made Italian fashion history with brands such as Fendi, among Italy’s longest-running fashion houses. Here are some tips for shopping in Rome and embellishing your wardrobe with vintage garments.
A haven of haute couture and fine dressing, the Capital has made Italian fashion history with brands such as Fendi, among Italy’s longest-running fashion houses. Here are some tips for shopping in Rome and embellishing your wardrobe with vintage garments.
Pifebo – Via dei Valeri, 10
- Via dei Serpenti, 135 e 141
Do you like to rummage through the shelves, looking for that garment that seems to be calling out to just you? The Pifebo-branded shopping experience is ideal for bargain seekers like you. The perfect destination also if you’re looking for a pair of handmade glasses, with shapes inspired by the great classics.
© Pifebo
Vintachic – Via Leccosa, 2
Dreaming of a retro style romantic wedding? Have a look at Vintachic: your classic wedding or cocktail dress awaits you! You can choose from hundreds of authentic accessories and clothes, from 1880 to the 80s, in perfect condition and also available for rent.
© Vintachic
SiTenne – Via Petrarca, 1
Sartorial creations, secondhand evening gowns and wedding dresses, haute couture pieces and small treasures from the 1920s to the 1990s – that’s what you can buy or rent from SiTenne. The brand is a statement in itself and the selection very inviting indeed, not to mention the interesting events organized by the store.
Lesley – Via Vittoria, 27
This is the ultimate luxury vintage boutique with strictly designer garments, where you may come across that latest trendy accessory you’re looking for. From Laboutin stilettos to designer handbags, luxury goes green and designer clothes are reborn to a second life. Lesley is also waiting for you in Milan on Via San Nicolao 3/A.
What is there to say? – choosing among such eye-catching locations is not easy: to be on the safe side, better to organize a proper vintage tour and visit them all. With Italo trains to Rome you travel fast, arrive on time and perfectly relaxed: in the mood for shopping!
Twice Vintage Shop – Via San francesco a Ripa, 7
Twice Vintage Shop in Rome, located in the picturesque Trastevere neighborhood, is a treasure trove for vintage enthusiasts, offering a diverse selection of men’s and women’s fashion from various decades. It’s praised as a hidden gem where shoppers can find amazing bargains, including high-quality leather jackets and designer dresses, making it an ideal spot for those looking to score unique vintage pieces.
La Bottega dei Gracchi – Via dei Gracchi, 229
Like Twice Vintage Shop, it is likely to contribute significantly to Rome’s vibrant vintage scene, offering shoppers unique finds and high-quality vintage items.
La Bottega dei Gracchi in Rome, established in 2001 originally as a restoration workshop, has earned widespread respect and trust over the years. Now transformed into a haven for vintage clothing enthusiasts, it offers a wide array of items including new and second-hand clothing for both children and adults, as well as various objects. Located at Via dei Gracchi, 229, it’s open all week except Sundays. Shoppers can find highly sought-after pieces ranging from 70s jeans and military jackets to branded coats and new and used leather goods.
Porta Portese Flea Market -Piazza Ippolito Nievo, Via Ettore Rolli, to Via Portuense
The Porta Portese Market, nestled in the heart of Rome’s Trastevere neighborhood, is a vibrant and historic flea market that’s become a staple Sunday ritual for both Romans and tourists. Stretching from Piazza Ippolito Nievo, Via Ettore Rolli, to Via Portuense, this market has its roots in the post-World War II era, around 1945, evolving from a black market to a celebrated local tradition where you can sell, buy, and barter a wide array of objects. Its rich tapestry of colors, voices, and cultures offers a nostalgic glimpse into Rome’s past, celebrated by poets, directors, and songwriters alike.
With hundreds of stalls, the market promises an endless variety of items ranging from antiques to modern art, electronics, clothing, and even the most extravagant objects. It’s a paradise for those who love shopping and vintage finds, embodying the old saying that at Porta Portese, “you can find everything from pills to Jumbo Jets.
Vintage shops in Florence
The backdrop for the Pitti Immagine event and home to the Museum of Fashion and Costume, Florence is the home of Gucci, among the flagship brands of Italian style in the world, and the fashion house Cavalli, known for its irreverent style.
Resisting the temptation to shop in Florence, between crafts and fashion, is very difficult.
Florence is well-known for its array of vintage stores, each with its own character and specialty. The city’s reputation for high-quality, diverse vintage offerings suggests these stores are worth a visit for anyone interested in unique, historical fashion pieces. These stores highlight the depth of selection and the passion behind Florence’s vintage scene, showcasing why the city is a destination for vintage lovers worldwide.
Here’s a selection of the best vintage shops in Florence, where you can buy clothes and accessories brimming with personality.
© Boutique Nadine
Boutique Nadine – Lungarno degli Acciaiuoli, 22
- Via dei Benci, 32
A concept store – in fact, two – in the heart of Florence: sophisticated atmospheres and careful selection make for a true connoisseur shopping experience. Everything will captivate you: from retro furnishings to vintage garments or signed by young trendy designers.
© Boutique Nadine
Officina Vintage – Via del Giglio, 41
Among the most particular shops in Florence is Officina Vintage, where you can browse the collections of the most important brands: also available for rent, for those who want it. The right place to buy original garments and tasty accessories, and at a friendly price too.
Has all this talk about vintage and high street fashion given you the shopping urge? With the Italo High Speed trains to Florence, quality shopping is never far away.
And if the urge is unbearable… did you know that thanks to the luggage storage service in the city and at the station you can get off the train, stow your suitcase and head straight for the stores?
Street Doing Vintage Couture – Via dei servi, 88/r
Street Doing Vintage Couture, located at Via dei Servi, 88/r in Florence, is a boutique that specializes in high-end second-hand items, with a particular focus on haute couture shoes, accessories, and Florentine designers when available. This store has made a name for itself by offering an assortment of prestigious vintage clothing and accessories, carefully curated from fairs across Europe by the store’s owners. Its location in a historic palace in the center of Florence adds to its allure, making it a unique destination for those passionate about vintage fashion
Giratempo Vintage store Firenze – Piazzetta Piero Calamandrei, 2
Giratempo Vintage Store Firenze, situated at Piazzetta Piero Calamandrei, 2, is another notable vintage shop in Florence. Vintage enthusiasts visiting Florence might still want to explore this location, as the city’s vintage shops often offer a wide range of unique and interesting items that reflect the rich history and fashion sensibilities of Italy.
Rewind Vintage Selection – Via San gallo, 23
Like Giratempo, Rewind Vintage Selection likely contributes to Florence’s vibrant vintage scene, offering shoppers the chance to find their own treasures amongst collections of carefully selected vintage garments and accessories.
