Here’s where to shop in the Eternal City
As far as shopping goes, Italy is hard to beat. Milan is its undisputed fashion capital, Florence its craftsmanship soul, Venice the quiet treasure trove of old-school artisanal shops you can’t find anywhere else.
And then there’s Rome. Extravagant and laidback, raucous and bewitching, the Eternal City is a stealth and stylish retail queen – a place where you can find big players alongside boutique shops, and quirky vintage finds next to one-of-a-kind, hand-made creations.
The key to a successful shopping trip here is just knowing where to look (a tip: its alleyways are usually a good place to start). From second-hand objects to curious gifts, beautiful homeware and bespoke clothing, here’s where Marie Louise loves to browse, shop, and sometimes splurge in Rome – both for herself and her loved ones.
Can’t make it to Rome? You can shop most of the brands on ISSIMO, too.
Atelier Bomba
Founded in 1980 in charming Via dell’Oca (just off Piazza del Popolo), Atelier Bomba specialises in tailored garments, knitwear, and accessories, as well as bespoke tailoring services. Everything is designed in-house and crafted in small quantities, using fabrics and materials that come either from the atelier’s very own collection or are sourced from historical mills in Italy and England.
Quality is the watchword here, and you’ll see it shine through a meticulous attention to detail, beautifully cut clothes, and timeless silhouettes.
Don’t leave without trying on (and purchasing) one of Atelier Bomba’s knits, which are exclusively made with noble, natural yarns and manufactured by an artisan workshop in Como.
Battistoni
A bastion of Italian style and elegance on the ever sophisticated Via dei Condotti, Battistoni has been around since 1946, and made a name for dressing some of the most dapper men in Rome. Back in the 1960s, during our capital’s heyday as a film mecca, all of Hollywood’s leading actors would come to get suited up here. The store continues to count a loyal clientele today, thanks to its curated selection of perfectly pressed jackets, sharp trousers, crisp shirts, and prim ties (though you’ll also find polo shirts, beachwear, and more casual garments, if you’re after a more relaxed look).
Everything is tailored to the customer’s needs, and a room stocked with endless bolts of striped, solid, and checked fabrics means you can personalise your closet any way you like. A true gentleman’s paradise.
Lisa Corti
BEST FOR: Gorgeous homeware and bohemian ready-to-wear
Originally from Milan, this eclectic textile emporium in Via dei Coronari has long been a favourite among in-the-know-Romans, too. It’s easy to see why: designer Lisa Corti is a master at working with colours and prints to create items that feel joyful and light no matter the season, for the ultimate stylish home.
Come here for stunning tablecloths and quilts, assorted cushions and napkins, but also a selection of caftans so chic you’ll want to wear them all.
Delfina Delettrez
Designer Delfina Delettrez knows a thing or two about style. Her background, of course, has something to do with that: she’s the fourth-generation heiress of luxury Italian fashion house Fendi, which means good taste and creativity essentially run in her blood. Her eponymous jewellery label is a natural reflection of that, as well as of her very own artistic ambitions.
Mixing figurative surrealism with a contemporary aesthetic, all her collections show strong, often intriguing designs, and are cast in gold, silver, and precious stones. Her boutique in Via di Monserrato – the city’s unofficial bohemian quarter – is the perfect place to shop her baubles and bring home an original piece of modern Italian design.
BEST FOR: A little bling that packs a punch
Giuliva Heritage
If you’re ever wondered where all the tastemakers shop in Rome, you must visit Giuliva Heritage. A quaint shop on Via di Monserrato, this boutique is run by
husband-and-wife duo Gerardo Cavaliere and Margherita Cardelli, who have weaved their passion for traditional hand tailoring, cultural heritage and sustainability into one of the coolest indie brands around. With a tagline that reads “Conceived in Campo Imperatore. Designed in Rome. Crafted in Naples. Lifelong garments, 100% Made in Italy,” every Giuliva Heritage piece is a real expression of Italian fashion, style, and panache.
BEST FOR: ChicISSIMO heritage clothing that’s 100% Italian
Chez Dede
BEST FOR: One-of-a-kind objets d’art
An independent boutique that’s also a gallery and an atelier, Chez Dede is not just a place, it’s an experience. The brainchild of creative directors Daria Reina and Andrea Ferolla, it stocks anything from luxurious silk scarves and beautiful handbags to limited-edition drawings and vintage pieces, while exuding a cool, thoroughly unfussy atmosphere.
Its French-Italian imprint (Reina is half French and Andrea is a big Francophile) makes it one of the chicest places in town to pick up a souvenir or just spend an afternoon browsing the curated selection of art books and garbs from emerging designers.
Best of it all? It’s also on Via di Monserrato, not far from Delfina Delettrez and Giuliva Vintage.
Porta Portese
Held every Sunday on Via Portuense, the flea market of Porta Portese, is an institution among many Romans, and a destination for vintage lovers everywhere.
Here you’ll find a robust collection of second-hand treasures, old-school records, watches, and design pieces; but also, never-worn cashmere sweaters, original antiques and fun, kitschy knick-knacks so bad they’re actually good. Word to the wise: prepare to haggle and go through a lot of racks.
BEST FOR: Second-hand gems and vintage souvenirs
