Xmas Shopping in... Italy

Where to get the best deals on Armani, Gucci and the other big names in fashion
Italy's fashion houses do not advertise these stores, some refuse to admit their existence, but once you know where they are you need never pay high-street prices again.

Rotating around the mother ship of Milan are discreet towns and suburbs with outlets offering massive discounts on top-brand clothes and accessories.

The fashion houses bypass conventional retailers to sell directly to the public, wiping out mark-ups which can account for half the price. But to avoid a retailer revolt they tend to keep it quiet, so quiet that many fashion insiders are ignorant of the bargains on their doorstep. After agreeing to supply addresses for this article, several leading houses changed their mind. Cats out of bags and all that. They are also concerned that too high a profile might debase brands by exuding a whiff of cheapness. Much of the stock comes from seconds or showroom collections, but not all. Discounts of up to 70% are common.

But it took a Dutch woman, Theodora Van Meurs, to blow the whistle by writing a bargain hunting guide to Italy: Lo Scoprioccasioni (Editoriale Shopping Italia, tel: 0039 02 7063 4605), now in its fourth edition. For £9 you get 2,000 addresses. Most of the outlets are in the triangle between Turin, Milan and Florence.

No-frills flights can make it cheaper to fly from Stansted to Milan than to Edinburgh. Go (0845 60 54321) flies from £88 return.

Armani

Armani Factory Store
Provinciale per Bregnano, 12, Vertemate (near Como).
Tel: 0039 031 887 373.
Open: 9.30am-7pm, closed Monday.

Three storeys of clothes and accessories straight from the Emporio production line. A lot of beige and taupe. Coats £145, trousers £29, shirts £14.50, jeans £14.50.

Antinea
Via Stazione, 93, Trissino (near Vicenza).
Tel: 0039 0445 424 100.
Open 9am-7pm, Monday 3pm-7pm.

More Emporio Armani, including seconds. A lot of wool. Suits £125, trousers £48, seconds' jeans £14.

Diesel


Surplus Diesel
Via Ponticello, 34, Molvena (near Vicenza).
Tel: 0039 0424 411 811.
Open: 9am-12.30pm, 3.30pm-7.30pm, Wednesday 9am-7pm.

Contrived bargain-basement atmosphere. Remainders and seconds on the first floor. Section for children. T-shirts and jeans £12-£18.

Dolce & Gabbano


Dolce Saverio
Via Rossini, 70, Legnano (near Milan).
Tel: 0039 0331 545 888.
Open: 10am-1.30pm, 2.30pm-7pm, closed Tuesday.

Remains from the first line. Suits £120-£145. Also shoes.

Fontana di Trebbia

Via Trebbia, 26, Milan
Tel: 0039 02 5519 4353.
Open: 8am-12.30pm, 2am-5.30pm, closed Saturday.

Bags and suitcases from Fontana and Dolce & Gabbana, in vivid colours from £20.

Gucci


Gucci
Via Aretina, 63, Leccio Reggello (near Florence).
Tel: 0039 055 865 7775.
Open: 9am-6pm, Tuesday 9am-1pm.

Spacious and luxurious surroundings. Ties £14, linen jackets £280, shoes £18, classic bags £240.

Jill Sander


Emporio Lario 1898
Via Vittorio Veneto, 52, Cirimido (near Como)
Tel: 0039 031 352 3111
Open: 9.30-7pm.


Jill Sander footwear and boots £30. Also Lario shoes.

Prada


I Pellettieri d'Italia
Localita Levanella, 69, Montevarchi (near Arezzo).
Tel: 0039 0978 9188
Open: 9.30-1, 2-6.30

The Japanese are on to this one, so be prepared to enter a scrum. Prada bags from around £100, ties and scarves £14, shoes £48.

Valentino


New Marbas
Via Croppina, 8, Parre (near Bergamo).
Tel: 0039 035 702 141.
Open: 4.30pm-6.30pm, closed Saturday.

Sweaters mostly, £12. Also stocks Alfred Dunhill and Polo.

Ferre and GM Venturi


Italiana Manifatture
Via San Petronilla, 15, Teramo (central Italy)
Tel: 0039 085 894 2141
Open: 9.30am-12.30pm, 4.30am-8pm, closed Monday during winter.

Factory prices for sport and casual gear. Also stocks from Valentino and Filippo Alpi