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Post by Where to shop on Apr 14, 2005 18:04:41 GMT -5
The background: I've set aside about 1000 Euro's ontop of all my other expensis for the purpose of shopping. I am backpacking but I will have an apartment in Paris (my friend's) to drop stuff off at in the middle of my trip. I'm going to Amsterdam, London, Barcelona, Rome, Florence, Prague... though I am open to suggestions. The question: What cities are good to shop in? I'm thinking clothes that I can wear at home (Calgary) that are not the equivalent to the mexican poncho (in terms of tackiness).
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Post by LHR02 on Apr 14, 2005 18:12:52 GMT -5
For anything leather, shoes, gloves, purses, jackets, et al, Florence is your spot! I always wish I wasn't 'backpacking' anytime I am there. Or wait, maybe it's a good thing I have to carry any purchases on my back, literally. Saves my disposable income for certain! ;D
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Post by CowTown19 on Apr 14, 2005 19:50:30 GMT -5
Shoes? I can see me buying shoes. I can see me buying lots of shoes. Thanks for the tip.
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Post by LHR02 on Apr 14, 2005 20:18:15 GMT -5
Anywhere around the Mercato Centrale are loads of street markets that are chock full of great things. Likewise, shops in that area can weild some terrific bargains. Stay away, shopping wise, from Mercato Nuevo (sp?) and anything in the area of Ponte Vecchio! That is 'tourist shopping' area. Get away from the river and 'downtown' and you can't help but find great leather pricing.
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Post by ERIKAerikaErika on Apr 15, 2005 7:14:46 GMT -5
Shopping eh? *rubs hands in delight* Amsterdam has has really great stores, such as D.E.P.T. Its gots alot of stuff that can suit alsmot every taste. Plus I found the shoes over there to be oh lala. Florence is great with the outdoor markets. And yes the leather there is a plentiful. Some vendor even shouted at me "Can I get you any thing? Leather jacket? Italian boyfriend?" V. funny . The 'pasmina' shawls are a steal. Pragues shopping is not all that great. I mean they have alot of stores you can find every where. But the H&M is much cheaper thou. Oh! and the shoes you will find in Barcelona and other countries are more and better than you will ever find in Canada. Trust me. I bought 3 paris of shoes when I ws over there. London and Paris go without saying. I went a bit crazy in my last day in London. But hey, it was worth it! Stores like Top Shop and Selfridges are the must, but I find Mango also has great things. Those a really big ones in London you should check out. We really did not shop too much in Rome, but they have great stores with english sayings with the grammer all wrong. Its great for a laugh. But styles in Europe are different from styles over here. They dress well. We are a comfy culture and when you go to Rome/Italy you'll see what I mean. Ex. have you ever saw a dress in a window and say " i love it, but wher will I wear it?" In Italy they buy it and wear it to the supermarket. Most of Europe dress'es to impress, and after your trip there, back home you will too. Your style will also change as well. (not too much, but you want be afriad to wear the lemon lime skirt anymore) There are also scores of other stores in each country and you just have to set aside part of EVERY day to check it out. Trust me. happy shopping ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Post by CuriousToronto on Apr 15, 2005 10:19:49 GMT -5
I would just like to warn you about leather goods in Florence. They look good when you buy them but becareful because some of them are made of rather shoddy quality. In general I would stay away from stuff in the markets.
I bought a Cavalli knock off and I loved it (still do). The stiching came out though and it doesn't look quite as attractive anymore. Pity -- I loved it!
Oh, one thing to remember in the markets in Florence is to haggle. Oh what fun that was!!!! A lot of the stalls will sell the same things. Just tell them the guy down the road was selling it for cheaper. Haggle with them and you'll get a much better price.
Also, look at stores in and around the city to get shoes and other bags. I got a Benetton bag for DIRT cheap for what I would get it at home. I loved it and am still very happy with it.
Can I also second the H&M suggestion. You'll find them all over Europe and they're great. We have them in Toronto now but none in Calgary. Anywayz, fashionable clothing at good prices. Their accessories in particular are dirt cheap. Oh, but do stay away from their excessively soft feeling cotton shirts. Or if you buy them realize they go ratty easily.
Now Paris:
* FOOD!!! Some of my favourite Paris souvenirs were food things. Go shopping at the gourmet stores in the Place de la Madelaine. Your friend will know where it is. I HIGHLY recommend macarons (even if they never make it home) from Laduree or Fauchon. And DEFINITELY a bottle of truffle oil from La Maison des Truffes.
* Lingerie. I know, I know. 'Tis stereotypical but OH SO beautiful. I spent WAY too much on lingerie in Paris but while I stop wearing my crappy LaSenza bras (that fall apart oh so quickly) my French stuff that I bought over a year ago still looks like new. My favourite store happens to be Darjeeling. You'll find them all over Paris. I was faithful to the store just off of Place Ste. Michel. Anywayz, Darjeeling was my favourite store 'cause their stuff was beautiful, high quality, not too expensive for Paris standards, they had sales every so often, and they made their stuff above a French B cup! That's something else. You might have to change your size. French sizes are small. Very small. No breasts, no hips, no thighs -- such is the French girl.
* Bags! I am still kicking myself that I didn't buy myself any handbags in Paris. Wanted this LongChamps bag in particular. You should go to the department stores (or the company's store) for this stuff.
* Scarves! I don't know what time of the year you're going in but the French are crazy about scarves and they make some beautiful ones!
What NOT to buy:
* Perfumes and make-up stuff. Unless it's something you absolutely can not find in Calgary I wouldn't buy any of that stuff in Paris (that's the city I can speak to). In general they're much cheaper here in Canada.
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Post by CowTown19 on Apr 16, 2005 18:20:36 GMT -5
The original post was by me, before I figured out how to use the forums. I suppose I should of specified that I am a guy... so I don't think perfume, make-up, lingerie, or that little skirt are going to be purchases of mine. But thanks for the idea, it's always good to bring home pretty things for the gf.
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Post by ERIKAerikaErika on Apr 18, 2005 12:14:24 GMT -5
OH HI-LARIOUS!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D you are a guy!!! hahahaha. But Im sure you'll girlfriend will be happy with any article of clothing from anywhere. She can still namedrop. "oh yea, CowTown bought this for me in Rome" *sigh* haha
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Post by CowTown19 on Apr 18, 2005 20:22:43 GMT -5
Who knows, I might look good in a lemon lime skirt, it could bring out my eyes. I guess it will come down to whether I can handle waxing the legs or not...
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Post by dumbdiety on Apr 18, 2005 20:52:24 GMT -5
Ya...and what a camera moment that'll make... Cowtown in a little frilly yellow dress... Or a big guy trying on that lingerie...or modeling those bags...Damn those filthy Americans! Oh ya, I'm getting punchy...time to stop writing lesson plans and veg in front of the TV...
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