Florence – a budget fashionista’s dream
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"Have you heard of The Mall?" I asked the honey-skinned, groomed brunette sitting on the next table to me at a café in Florence’s Piazza della Repubblica. "I’ve heard you can get fantastic bargain Gucci bags." "Of course, I’ve heard of it," she replied indignantly, "but who’d want to wear last season’s Gucci?"
Only 30 minutes from Florence, in the hamlet of Leccio, this unassuming outlet mall is home to Gucci, Armani, Fendi, YSL, Stella McCartney, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Sergio Rossi and Ungaro, all with at least 30 per cent off.
There’s a catch, of course. The clothes are at least a season old, or seconds. But unlike any other outlet, all the shops are as stylish as their full-priced counterparts, while the staff are more friendly. "New" stock arrives each season, so last autumn’s designs are arriving now, while summer stock is fabulously cheap.
When I arrived, there were no Italians but plenty of Brits, Americans and Japanese, all happy to wear last season’s clothes.
In Gucci I found men’s suits from £285, reduced from £541, and overnight bags from £180. The horse-bit buckle handbag, with gold chain strap, was less than half price at £187, while last autumn/winter season’s oriental pink leather handbag with a bamboo handle was £218 instead of £479.
The best bargains are in the sections marked "special price". Tops are reduced from £329 to £74. Yes, some of the stock involves thigh-high monogrammed stiletto boots, but there were classic pieces, such as the pink satin tieup sandals that Sarah Jessica Parker owns for £145. At YSL there was 50 per cent off the already-discounted prices. Last autumn’s signature suede bone-handled Mombasa bags were £114 (reduced from £388). Nicole Kidman’s 2004 Golden Globes dress was £572, down from £2,203. In Stella McCartney I found last summer’s must-have white and silver heels (Mischa Barton has a pair) for £135. In London they were about £250. La Perla had discounts of 50 per cent, 40 per cent at Ungaro and Alexander McQueen had exquisite dresses for £416.
I hit the best store last: Marni. Gorgeous mint polka-dot bikinis were £57, clutch bags were £69 and floaty dresses sold for £242. I’m already planning my next visit.
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