For me, there is no other better place in Italy to squander money than in Turin. This city is meant for serious shopping. From international luxury boutiques (e.g. Hermes) to independent small retailers to family-owned leather shops, Turin offers excellent shopping opportunities for those who know what they want.
This being one of the most important cities in Italy, needless to say all the major players in Italy's fashion industry are present. On Piazza San Carlo and the adjacent Via Roma, as well as Via Giuseppe Luigi Lagrange parallel to Piazza San Carlo, one can find international boutiques and prestigeous names such as Hermes, Max Mara, Ferragamo, Mont Blanc, Louis Vuitton, Armani, Gucci, Prada, Chanel, Dior, etc., as well as many other Italian brands. The advantage of shopping in Turin is, being somewhat off-the-beaten-tourist-track, you can look around the shops at your own pace, nobody will try to hassel you, coerce you into buying something, or attempt some aggressive selling tactics on you. And you don't have to push you way around the boutiques amid masses of package-tour tourists from the US and Asia, nor fight your way through the shopfloors till you reach the cashiers. Unlike Florence or Venice, shops in Turin in general do not carry much tourist stuffs. Which is good as I am sick of seeing precious shop spaces in prime locations stocked up with cheap Made in China tourist souvenir and memorabilia.
However, the beauty of shopping in Turin is that you get the chance to buy things otherwise not available elsewhere. What's the point of coming all the way to Italy just to get a handbag you could have easily bought at home? It is the one-off independent boutiques, family-run jewellery workshops, and the numerous antique stores that really make the city's shopping scene so unique.
One rule which one should adhere whenever you are going on a shopping spree in Italy is, make sure you dress smart. Italians are fashion conscious, and shopowners and sales representatives will judge you base on your overall appearance. Even if you decide to appear in your track shoes, make sure they are clean and compatible to your overall dress code on that day.
1. De Wan Jewellery
Located on the expensive and mostly high-end boutique street known as Via Roma, at first I thought this shop sells antique jewellery. Upon closer examination of their display window, however, they actually have lots of brand-new mid-price-range custom jewellery, handbags and other accessories, and prices are not astronomical as I had first thought. Most of their jewellery items range between 20-130 euro, which are actually very attractive and represent good value for money for those price-and-style conscious shoppers, who are in search of pieces with decent/authentic/original designs, but are unwilling to splash a fortune for it. De Wan's jewellery and accessories are made in Italy at their own workshops and make good use of semi-precious stones and/or high quality sythentic materials. So there is no need to worry about forgetting your precious ruby ring in the hotel bathroom when you check-out in a hurry, or flashing your multi-million dollar ring down the loo by accident....
2. Mood Books and Coffee
For those who fancy reading a book while sipping their coffee, there is a chain bookstore plus cafe called 'Mood: Libre & Caffe', which can be found in several locations all over the city centre.
In addition to coffee and other hot drinks, they also offer light snacks such as sandwich, toast, salads etc, as well as alcoholic drinks if you prefer.
Most of the books available in the store are in Italian, however you can also take your own books and newspapers with you and read whilst enjoying a cup of coffee in their sleek, modern reading rooms.
3. Varzino - Silver wares, silver household items, and Souvenir:
Turin is a good place for those who like to hunt for silver household wares, small plated-silver gift items, and antique silvers, including jewellery and watches.
I chanced upon this little shop called Varzino on the busy Via Lagrange, (pictured in the centre of the photo above: the shop in front of which a man stands) specialising in household silverware items, such as ful dinner service set, tea sets, candle stands, lamps, silver picture frames, plates, trays, keyrings etc. The shop is run by an elderly couple who speaks a little English, but who are extremely helpful and friendly, trying their best to communicate with me using limited English and the help of an Italian-English dictionary. If you are looking for some sparkling silverwares as keepsake to take home with, this is a good place to start.
Varzino - Argenteria del 1957
Via Lagrange 16
10123 Torino
Tel: 011 - 542807
I chanced upon this little shop called Varzino on the busy Via Lagrange, (pictured in the centre of the photo above: the shop in front of which a man stands) specialising in household silverware items, such as ful dinner service set, tea sets, candle stands, lamps, silver picture frames, plates, trays, keyrings etc. The shop is run by an elderly couple who speaks a little English, but who are extremely helpful and friendly, trying their best to communicate with me using limited English and the help of an Italian-English dictionary. If you are looking for some sparkling silverwares as keepsake to take home with, this is a good place to start.
Varzino - Argenteria del 1957
Via Lagrange 16
10123 Torino
Tel: 011 - 542807
4. De Carlo - Kitchen wares, Salami/Sausage/Cheese Knives,Men's Shaving Kits, etc.
Italy, in addition to fashion, leather handbags and shoes, are well-known for its kitchen appliances and household items as well. The top address for such items in Turin is De Carlo, a family-run shop in business since 1912, with several branches all over Turin. They have one of the most complete selections of kitchen appliances and kitchen wares I have ever seen, with virtually all the big names in kitchen and household items. represented in the shops. If you are a kitchen household item fanatic like me and enjoy shopping at kitchen and household departments when going shopping, de Carlo is the must-see place when in Turin. They also have hand-made men's shaving kits for sale, including brush made with natural materials.
Check out their website (in Italian only) for more details:
http://www.decarlo.org/lavori/decarlo/decarlo.nsf/home?openform
Italy, in addition to fashion, leather handbags and shoes, are well-known for its kitchen appliances and household items as well. The top address for such items in Turin is De Carlo, a family-run shop in business since 1912, with several branches all over Turin. They have one of the most complete selections of kitchen appliances and kitchen wares I have ever seen, with virtually all the big names in kitchen and household items. represented in the shops. If you are a kitchen household item fanatic like me and enjoy shopping at kitchen and household departments when going shopping, de Carlo is the must-see place when in Turin. They also have hand-made men's shaving kits for sale, including brush made with natural materials.
Check out their website (in Italian only) for more details:
http://www.decarlo.org/lavori/decarlo/decarlo.nsf/home?openform
Happy Shopping in Turin!! Below are some photos of this beautiful city.
After all these wonderful hours spent inside Turin's shops an boutiques, it is time to sit down at one of the historic cafes such as the one pictured below, and enjoy a good cup of cappucino made with Lavazza beans - another famous product of this amazing city. If you like coffee, don't forget to pack a few packs of Lavazza into your bags at one of the city's supermarkets or grocery shops!!!
Copyrights@2010. All text and photos by YC Cheng. All Rights Reserved.
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