Winter sales come to Rome

[Guest Post by Marina Misiti in Rome] A couple of weeks ago I spent the whole weekend with a friend from Miami obsessed by Italian style (and fashion brands). She came here to find items discounted up to 70 percent and realize her forbidden shopping-dreams.

Well, not only the Italians are fashion-addicted! As she knew well, this season is definitely one of the best to find nice items at good prices. Unlike other areas of the world, sales in Italy are closely regulated. There are only two official sales periods each year: in winter and in summer. The winter sales period starts in January and lasts through February, where inventory is gone. SALDI (sales) is the word to know. One can see it everywhere. Day after day the prices just keep getting lower, and everyone looking for “Made in Italy”, from big brands to less luxurious garments, have the chance to find good deals.

It’s no secret that I adore fashion and design, but to me that means having a personal style, a minimalistic “capsule collection” to travel and live easily. So, with my fashionista friend I had the chance to draw in Via Frattina, Via Borgognona and, most of all, in Via dei Condotti, so colorful and crowded in these days, even if it rains all day.

Yes, because there are several shopping districts in Rome, and Romans love their outlet malls, but the most famous, elegant and crowded fashion district in the Eternal City is still the area from the Spanish Steps and Piazza Mignanelli down to Via del Corso and Largo Goldoni.

I met her in these pedestrianised streets, with no traffic allowed. Here she found Fendi, Prada, Versace, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, and other well-known Italian names, amongst others. Practically all the most luxurious fashion brands.

A long weekend spent in the city centre with her, reminded me how funny and quirky Rome can be.

Marina Misiti is a graphic journalist, illustrator and visual
anthropologist, living in Rome, Italy. You can see more of Marina’s
sketches here www.traccedinchiostro.com or www.marinamisiti.com.