Where To Buy Leather In Florence

I love Florence.

I love the art. I love the architecture. I love the city. I love the food.

I love everything about Florence.

One of the many things that Florence is famous for is being one of the very best places in the world to buy leather goods.

Everything from sensational handbags to luggage, belts, soft leather gloves, and fabulous leather jackets. Fabulous.

 

Just walking anywhere in Florence is pure magic, especially at night or in the early mornings before the tourists descend en masse.

Window shopping in this beautiful, art filled city is glorious. But if you're not able to drop multiple thousands of dollars on the high end jackets and bags you see in the windows of Ferregamo, Gucci or Prada you are in luck - just make your way to San Lorenzo.

Looking around the San Lorenzo market in Florence

Not even 5 minutes walk from the Duomo (Santa Maria Del Fiore) you will find yourself at the San Lorenzo market and Mercato Centrale one of the most famous outdoor market areas in all of Europe. Mercato Centrale is inside, and is a food market, but all around it are endless market stalls and shops selling gorgeous leather handbags, luggage and jackets.

(If you haven't be to Florence in a couple of years, be prepared for a surprise. All the market stalls the used to be outside the Basilica di San Lorenzo are now gone, relegated to side streets.)

Jimmy's beautiful leather shop in Florence

There are so many vendors that it can get quite confusing, and it would be easy in the mad tourist shuffle to make an expensive mistake and purchase something sub-quality. So I advise all my friends to have fun looking through the market, but then go see my dear friend Jimmy.

I first met Jimmy years and years ago when I bought my beautiful leather travel bags (that have been featured many times in this blog and in magazines!). Over the years we have become great friends, and now Jimmy has his own shop in the Piazza San Lorenzo, named Jimmy's Leather Collection.

Everyone in the market knows and loves Jimmy, which is really helpful because I always get completely lost in the market stalls and can't find my way back, so there are always vendors who will walk me back to his shop, which is in the Piazza San Lorenzo at the very beginning of the market.

Jimmy's second store is at the tail end of the market. Travel bag in the front is identical to mine!

What sets Jimmy's shop apart from the rest is his attention to detail, and the quality of his merchandise. There is a giant area T the back end of the shop where you can sit comfortably on couches, look at clothes and bags in peace where you can really think and make wise decisions, to try jackets on and look at them in huge mirrors so you can see what they really look like, and to go over every inch of your jacket, it's stitching, it's form, and see the absolute perfection in the garment.

Jimmy does buy some garments from other manufacturers, but he also designs his own line of sensational leather jackets. 
And they are beautiful. 

Stylish, modern, and also classic.

The leathers that Jimmy uses are exquisitely soft and totally luxe.

Part of what makes shopping there so much fun is his depth of knowledge about leather, about the hide your jacket came from, about every step in the process.

He has an encyclopedic knowledge of fashion and of specific moments in fashion. I can be talking to him about a cuff style I like and he will say "Yes that was in the Fendi jacket in 2013" or he will say "Do you remember the sleeve on Balmain's jacket in 2012? That shape would look perfect on you". When you talk about that very specific shade of beige that Chanel had 5 years ago or last season, he knows exactly what you are talking about.

I can't get enough of it!

Jimmy really understands body shape and how to choose the perfect style to maximize your assets and not draw attention to your not so great bits. He also understands geographic idiosyncrasies.

He will show me styles that girls from Chicago and L.A love, and then he will show me what girls from NYC are drawn to.

I love that he gets it.

Jimmy's attention to detail is worth noting too. He sees the perfect alignment in the hides he uses, how the seams match perfectly. 

I've sent people from all over the globe to Jimmy, normally because they want to buy luggage like mine, but they tend to end up buying leather jackets. And every single time, every single person is just ecstatic about their experience and their beautiful new leather jacket.

Of course he also has beautiful handbags and travel bags. But everyone lately has been asking me about jackets.

Another thing to love? Jimmy is charming and charismatic and fun. You will have a wonderful time shopping with him, no matter where you are from. He speaks something like 12 languages, so it doesn't matter who you are, he just changes over to your language and chats away, always happy, always delightful.

Find Jimmy's Leather Collection on Facebook here

Jimmy's Leather Collection

Piazza San Lorenzo, 2

N233

Tel: 0055-292137

What To Wear To The Market In Arezzo

Going to the market in the Italian town of Arezzo? Or any other lovely little town in Italy? 

Here is one of my favorite posts from a couple of years ago. I'm planning my wardrobe for this year's summer in Italy, and my old blog posts have been a fun place to start!

 Enjoy!

What's A Girl To Wear To The Market In Arezzo?

Every Saturday and Sunday in the Tuscan town of Arezzo the streets and piazzas become one of the most intriguing markets you will ever have the good fortune to visit.

 

 (I so wanted the Red Lady lamp, but couldn't figure out how on earth to get her home??)

Largely about furniture and housewears, exquisite laces and linens, 

the Arezzo market is not to be missed if you're in Tuscany on a weekend.

If for nothing else, you'll see treasures long hidden in the attics of the giant old Tuscan homes. 

Just touching some of the pieces you'll feel the history of generations flow through your fingers. 

Its magic.

Its also Italy.

This means a girl can't show up dressed as if for the Camden or Portobello markets in London, or the Rose Bowl market in Pasadena. There's a whole different dress code here, and its nothing short of fabulous.

Armed with my camera, I stalked the fashionistas meandering through the stalls, just to show you how killer cool and glam they really are.

Fashion statements aren't necessarily about the current trends, 

but more of how a girl carries herself and presents herself to the world, 

with her own personal flair and elan.

Before we see the outfits, its important to check out the terrain. 

Its all uphill and downhill, on flagstones, cobbles and pavers,

uneven, textured, and at  times steep.

No flat, smooth asphalt for these divas to strut their sensational stuff...

So what does the fab-u-taliana wear?

 Soft gray ostrich cowboy boots, dove gray half leg leggings, white and gray layered tanks and T's, 

trench length demin coat, Louis bag, great hair, and "the world is mine" attitude.

Do you love it??? Check out her cool shoes! Prada bag, stylish parka, pedicure.

 

super chic family! Even the bambini are decked out!

This lady had it going on! I loved her red jacket. The gloves were the perfect finishing touch.

Notice the hairdo - nicely cut and colored.

These Italiana's don't miss a single gorgeous detail.

Slim, belted, co-ordinated.

 another peep at the family

 I just loved this lady! We saw her everywhere, all morning. 

Looking like a million dollars, working those shoes!!

She still looked like perfection at the of market end too, not just first thing in the morning.

 Prada-rama. 

I loved her coat too. 

She had magnificent glasses on as well, but I couldn't get a clean shot without blowing my tourista cover.

God knows I tried...

 Channeling Marcello Mastroianni.

Even the dudes looked cool.

 What would you do with that fish thing?

I loved the cabinet behind it.

 Prada Prada Prada.

Endless Prada. Fabulous for Sunday morning.

 Stylin mama.

Isn't she just chic??

Looks like a northerner...

Burberry! A break in the Prada/Louis action - quite refreshing.

Check out how totally put together this couple is.

Age provides no barrier, gives no demarcation.

They're all just damn fab.

 Skinny jeans worn with heels, a trench, fab hair, and accessorized with a cyclist.

Think he's wearing a cod piece?

 I love those nude heels!!

Check out the height and cut of them!

She's damn fabulous, and she knows it.

Its part of the air she breathes.

Although I do consider myself to be an Olympic high heeler,

even I couldn't cut it around the market all morning, up and down the hills in these.

No way.

And these are her Sunday morning market shoes?? I need a new goal...

Sexy girl heels.

Are you seeing how high they are??? Remember the terrain (see above)

And sexy Italiana that she is, she saunters and glides with ease,

as if she were wearing flats.

Can't you feel her gait through this picture?

Its as if she were born wearing them.

I just loved her!

 I just had to get you a close up on the height.

She is my hero(ine)

The pants were very cool too.

 She eats!

Italian girls don't do the lettuce leaf, black coffee and manic hours of aerobics with a 5 mile run routine.

They eat. 

Heartily. 

And are so present in their lives, and in the pleasure of life.

They are sensational.

 And what did we wear? 

Pictured here in the piazza with the lovely Michelle, jewelry designer at Divinity Jewelry,

in jeans and boots, a turquoise trench and a beige pashmina, 

and the ever present aviators :)

Ciao ciao tutti!!

Baci!!

What's A Girl To Wear To The Market In Arezzo?

Every Saturday and Sunday in the Tuscan town of Arezzo the streets and piazzas become one of the most intriguing markets you will ever have the good fortune to visit.

 

 (I so wanted the Red Lady lamp, but couldn't figure out how on earth to get her home??)

Largely about furniture and housewears, exquisite laces and linens, 

the Arezzo market is not to be missed if you're in Tuscany on a weekend.

If for nothing else, you'll see treasures long hidden in the attics of the giant old Tuscan homes. 

Just touching some of the pieces you'll feel the history of generations flow through your fingers. 

Its magic.

Its also Italy.

This means a girl can't show up dressed as if for the Camden or Portobello markets in London, or the Rose Bowl market in Pasadena. There's a whole different dress code here, and its nothing short of fabulous.

Armed with my camera, I stalked the fashionistas meandering through the stalls, just to show you how killer cool and glam they really are.

Fashion statements aren't necessarily about the current trends, 

but more of how a girl carries herself and presents herself to the world, 

with her own personal flair and elan.

Before we see the outfits, its important to check out the terrain. 

Its all uphill and downhill, on flagstones, cobbles and pavers,

uneven, textured, and at  times steep.

No flat, smooth asphalt for these divas to strut their sensational stuff...

So what does the fab-u-taliana wear?

 Soft gray ostrich cowboy boots, dove gray half leg leggings, white and gray layered tanks and T's, 

trench length denim coat, Louis bag, great hair, and "the world is mine" attitude.

Do you love it??? Check out her cool shoes! Prada bag, stylish parka, pedicure.

 

super chic family! Even the bambini are decked out!

This lady had it going on! I loved her red jacket. The gloves were the perfect finishing touch.

Notice the hairdo - nicely cut and colored.

These Italiana's don't miss a single gorgeous detail.

Slim, belted, co-ordinated.

 another peep at the family

 I just loved this lady! We saw her everywhere, all morning. 

Looking like a million dollars, working those shoes!!

She still looked like perfection at the of market end too, not just first thing in the morning.

 Prada-rama. 

I loved her coat too. 

She had magnificent glasses on as well, but I couldn't get a clean shot without blowing my tourista cover.

God knows I tried...

 Channeling Marcello Mastroianni.

Even the dudes looked cool.

What would you do with that fish thing?

I loved the cabinet behind it.

 Prada Prada Prada.

Endless Prada. Fabulous for Sunday morning.

 Stylin mama.

Isn't she just chic??

Looks like a northerner...

Burberry! A break in the Prada/Louis action - quite refreshing.

Check out how totally put together this couple is.

Age provides no barrier, gives no demarcation.

They're all just damn fab.

Skinny jeans worn with heels, a trench, fab hair, and accessorized with a cyclist.

Think he's wearing a cod piece?

 I love those nude heels!!

Check out the height and cut of them!

She's damn fabulous, and she knows it.

Its part of the air she breathes.

Although I do consider myself to be an Olympic high heeler,

even I couldn't cut it around the market all morning, up and down the hills in these.

No way.

And these are her Sunday morning market shoes?? I need a new goal...

Sexy girl heels.

Are you seeing how high they are??? 
Remember the terrain (see above)

And sexy Italiana that she is, she saunters and glides with ease,

as if she were wearing flats.

Can't you feel her gait through this picture?

Its as if she were born wearing them.

I just loved her!

 I just had to get you a close up on the height.

She is my hero(ine)

The pants were very cool too.

 She eats!

Italian girls don't do the lettuce leaf, black coffee and manic hours of aerobics with a 5 mile run routine.

They eat. 

Heartily. 

And are so present in their lives, and in the pleasure of life.

They are sensational.

 And what did we wear? 

Pictured here in the piazza with the lovely Michelle, jewelry designer at Divinity Jewelry,

in jeans and boots, a turquoise trench and a beige pashmina, 

and the ever present aviators :)

Ciao ciao tutti!!

Baci!!