Leather jackets in Florence can be found everywhere, so how can you know the best place to shop?
I classify leather jacket shops in Florence into two categories: 'standard shops' and 'a cut-above' shops.
A typical scenario in a 'standard shop' goes like this.
You go into a shop and the jackets are priced at around €350, but the shop-assistant tells you that it’s 50% off so you can get the jacket for €175…. !
You may even be able to haggle a bit and get the jacket for €165...
This is a typical game, marking up the prices on products that are popular with tourists (bags, gold).
Generally speaking though, you can expect to spend about €165 - 175 for a leather jacket in a standard shop.
Standard shops are often run and operated by non-Italians, although the jackets should be made-in-Italy (check the label).
'A cut-above' shops are usually run by locals who have a history of working in the leather industry and who produce their own jackets which are of higher quality.
A higher quality jacket will be made of softer and lighter leather and will have a more uniform color, more polished finishings, neater seams, and will likely be more comfortable to wear.
These jackets will usually have start prices of about €250 – 300.
Important note! Even if you don't want to spend in this price range, 'cut-above' shops are worth checking out because they often have sales racks with bargains for under €200 on some pieces, so you get a 'cut-above' jacket at 'standard' prices!
So, where to buy a nice leather jacket in Florence?
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Buying from a market stall or from one of the countless ‘standard’ shops may mean dealing with some shady characters….
Here are some handy tips:
How Can You Tell If Leather Is Good Quality?
Florence Shopping - Leather Jackets - Stand at San Lorenzo
Don't be impressed by the typical trick of the vendor holding a match to leather to show that it doesn’t burn!
Standard Leather Jackets
Buying from a market stall or from one of the countless ‘standard’ shops may mean dealing with some shady characters….
Here are some handy tips:
How Can You Tell If Leather Is Good Quality?
Florence Shopping - Leather Jackets - Stand at San Lorenzo
Don't be impressed by the typical trick of the vendor holding a match to leather to show that it doesn’t burn!
This is the oldest trick in the book and means nothing...
In actuality, it would take much longer to show a burn mark than the few nanoseconds a sales person waves the flame under the piece!
One of the best ways to tell if the leather is good quality is to feel it.
Leather should be soft, not rigid.
Also, take a part of the jacket (a sleeve) and mush it into a ball with your hands.
Good leather should pop back without much difficulty and without forming lots of wrinkles.
How Can You Tell If the Seller Is Honest?
Avoid sellers who seem like 'smoothies'.
You know, they have a relative who lives in your same area, what a coincidence!
Or they too have the same jacket that you’re considering buying – in several colors of course...
You get the idea.
Trust your instinct and vibes – real professionals, even at the markets, don’t try to push people into buying and will be more laid back and let you shop in peace.
There's no reason to feel pressured into buying from anybody, since the VAST majority of standard leather dealers all have the same articles at pretty much the same prices.
Just go elsewhere if the attitude of the seller is off-putting in any way.
Where To Shop For Standard Leather Jackets
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