Page 609 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

SHOPPING IN IT AL Y  607

available in markets and many
high-street shops, where the
styles tend to be more
conventional. Italy is also
famous for leather shoes and
bags, the prices of which tend
to be reasonable.
Sales (saldi) are held in
summer and winter. Second-
hand shops can be expensive,
but the quality and condition of
the clothes are usually very
good. Larger markets have stalls
piled high with used clothes. An elegant designer clothes boutique in Treviso
Rummage through and you will
often find bargains. country. Italian kitchenware is still practised in Italy and range
particularly striking, with its from delicate lacework and
stainless steel and copper pots, glassware in the Veneto to
pans and utensils. For the leatherwork, jewellery and
lowest prices, avoid the tourist marbled paper in Florence.
shops and, if possible, buy Italian ceramics include
directly from the manufacturer. elaborate Tuscan pottery, hand-
Less expensive items include painted dishes around Amalfi
the characteristic brown and De Simone’s stylized
espresso and cappuccino cups designer plates from Sicily.
sold in all markets.

Regional Specialities
Many of Italy’s regional
specialities are world famous:
Parma ham, Chianti wine, olive
oil and grappa. Regional sweets,
Colourful shop display of leather including the Sienese panforte
handbags in Florence and Sicilian marzipan, are also
well-known, as are cheeses such
as Gorgonzola from Lombardy
Jewellery and Antique and Parmesan from Emilia- Display of decorative glazed
Shops Romagna. Traditional crafts are pottery from Tuscany
Glitzy gold jewellery is very
popular in Italy and every
gioielleria (jewellery shop) will Size Chart
have a wide selection. For more For Australian sizes follow the British and American conversions.
unusual items, try the bigiotteria
or artisan shops (oreficeria). Women’s dresses, coats and skirts
Antique stores like Antichità and Italian 36 38 40 42 44 46 48
Antiquariato sell furniture and British 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
ornaments of varying quality American 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
and prices. You will rarely find Women’s shoes
bargains in Italy, except perhaps Italian 36 37 38 39 40 41
at the fiere dell’antiquariato British 3 4 5 6 7 8
(antique fairs), held throughout American 5 6 7 8 9 10
the year all over the country. Men’s suits
Italian 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 (size)
British 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 (inches)
Interior Design and American 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 (inches)
Household Wares Men’s shirts (collar size)
41
45 (cm)
44
39
42
43
Interior design is another Italian Italian 37 38 15 ⁄2 16 16 ⁄2 17 17 ⁄2 18 (inches)
1
1
15
British
1
14
sector where top names American 14 15 15 ⁄2 16 17 17 1 ⁄2 18 (inches)
1
demand extravagant prices, Men’s shoes 16 1 ⁄2
with many shops concentrating Italian 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46
on modern, high-tech styles. British 6 7 7 ⁄2 8 9 10 11 12
1
There are household shops in American 7 7 ⁄2 8 8 ⁄2 9 ⁄2 10 ⁄2 11 11 1 ⁄2
1
1
1
1
cities and towns throughout the
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