A complete guide to Italy's discount villages

If you were to ask fashion-loving girls what Italy's specialty is, they would instantly spout off a long list of high-end Italian brands: Gucci, Prada, Dolce&Gabbana, Armani, Salvatore Ferragamo, Versace, Fendi, Bvlgari... The reality is that to be fashionable, you need to be prepared to spend a lot of money. For friends in the UK, although you can buy high-quality goods much cheaper than in China, if you compare the prices of Italian brands with those in their home country's outlets, you may feel like you've spent a lot of money in vain. Based on my years of shopping experience in Italy, I have carefully selected a few outlets that are worth adding to your itinerary and recommend them to you. If you plan to go to Italy, why not choose one or two according to your itinerary.

The Mall luxury outlets

The Mall is often highly praised as a luxury discount village. The main brand featured is GUCCI, and it is no exaggeration to say that this is the place where you can buy the cheapest GUCCI in the world with ample supply. Many people head straight to the GUCCI queue as soon as they get off the bus. It is recommended to spend more time browsing the local Italian brands inside, as the discounts are more substantial. Of course, there are also British brands like BURBERRY and ALEXANDER MCQUEEN, but based on personal experience, the discounts are generally not as good as in the UK. New items are added every evening, so if you want more choices, it is advisable to go early.

PRADA Outlet

THE SPACE is PRADA's factory store, specializing in PRADA, MIUMIU, and some brands under the group. Even if you are not a fan of these two brands, you will be tempted to buy something when you see the beautiful bags and shoes there. Upon entering, each person will receive a number, which is your shopping number, so keep it safe. When you find an item you want, show your shopping number to the staff to pay and collect your goods. This can be quite painful for those with decision-making difficulties. Note that it is only a half-hour drive from THE SPACE to THE MALL, and many people choose to visit both places in one day.

MCARTHURGLEN DESIGNER OUTLETS

MCARTHURGLEN is a chain of DESIGNER OUTLETS spread across Europe. There are five in Italy, located in Florence, Milan, Venice, Naples, and Rome. The ones in Florence, Milan, and Venice are highly recommended. Each outlet features different brands, so it is suggested to choose based on your brand preferences and travel itinerary.

BARBERINO

Its main brands include: Dolce & Gabbana, Furla, Guess, John Richmond, Missoni, and Prada. You can check the official website for the full list of brands.

SERRAVALLE

SERRAVALLE is said to be the largest outlet, claiming that it cannot be fully explored in a single day. Due to the large number of stores and the abundance of items in each store, it is a true test of patience and stamina. Major brands include: Prada, Bulgari, Dolce & Gabbana, Roberto Cavalli, Salvatore Ferragamo, Tommy Hilfiger, etc.

NOVENTA DI PIAVE

This is considered the youngest and most vibrant among the DESIGNER OUTLET series, with brand levels slightly higher than the others. At the same time, it is also a place less frequented by Chinese people. This is mainly due to the lack of direct shuttle buses from Venice, making transportation relatively complex. Major brands include: Armani, Borbonese, Burberry, Fendi, Prada, Sergio Rossi, etc.