Vintage and thrift shopping: where to go in Rome

For many tourists coming to Rome, the art and food found around these parts are just the main elements to an unforgettable trip. An increasing number of travelers is now planning their cityscapes to Italy on account of the great shopping experiences that can be had here. Not just any shopping, though: the savvy visitors know full well that big name chains are the same all over, so their strategy is different – they come with a light baggage to hunt for the perfect vintage item!

Vintage shopping is king, even in Italy

You would think that because of their natural sense of style, Italians wouldn’t be interested in thrifting or vintage shopping. Right? Wrong! A newfound environmental awareness, along with the constant need for budgeting that comes with having to deal with back-to-back recessions, means that a large majority of Italians is always on the lookout for a deal, and second-hand clothing fits right with this mindset. However, before you come in expecting for things in this respect to work exactly like in your homecountry, here’s a few myths to dispel about thrifting in Rome… along with a few select addresses!

No, there are no thrift stores in Rome (not like the ones you know, anyway)

We’re all familiar with thrift stores – from movies, tv shows, or from having visited one. To comply with local regulations, there are none to work exactly the same way in Italy (and Rome). Some similarities can be found at the Humana stores (read below!) or, price-wise, at any of Mercatino’s many branches throughout the city. More generally speaking, expect prices to be higher on average and proceeds from sales to go to a shop owner, not a charity.

Speaking of prices… You will be surprised

Of course you’re coming to Rome thinking you’re going to snatch some pre-loved designer fashion items at low, low prices but… this isn’t necessarily what will happen. Luxury vintage shops have been appearing throughout Rome for a while now, and price-tags can make your eyes water – owners know what they’re selling, and the prices reflect the level of quality in the items for sale.

(By the way, you can’t haggle in a vintage shop)

Alright, so we know securing a deal can be a form of art, and haggling can be fun when buying off a stall in the middle of the street, but don’t make that mistake when entering a shop. The owner should suggest a discount, not you. In Rome (and Italy at large) you may offend someone by trying to haggle where it’s not appropriate, and that includes vintage stores (one of us in the office only once succeeded in getting a discount at such a store, and only because the pair of Prada loafers they got had an obvious factory flaw).

Thrifting in Rome – where should you be going?

And now, without further ado, here’s a list of recommended addresses you should be checking out if vintage shopping is your main mission while visiting the Eternal City.

Porta Portese: let’s start with the classics, with Rome’s biggest flea market. It is held every Sunday in the streets between the Trastevere and Portuense districts and stalls are in the open, with something for everyone – records, antiques, second-hand books, furniture… and of course clothing, pre-loved as well as used. Part of the fun is hunting down the stalls with the best prices (usually, the closer you get to the Trastevere train station, the bigger the deals) and dig among mountains of items.

Mercatino: we talked extensively about this chain of second-hand shops here. Like other similar stores, they’re a bit like a smaller version of Porta Portese, just… indoors. So know you can find a variety of items here, including second-hand clothing. You can find the nearest branch on their website.

Humana Vintage: in the same post we also talked about this new-ish thrift clothing chain that does charity with the money they make from sales. They have branches all over the city center and for good reason, since they are loved by tourists – but their prices are higher than the average. You can find the nearest branch on their website.

Mercato Vintage Ecosolidale: a project by well-known charity Sant’Egidio. Go here on Saturday mornings to hunt the perfect item among racks of donated clothing and know you’re funding a very worthy cause! Find the Mercato on Via del Porto Fluviale, 2 (Piramide metro stop).

Pifebo: a popular destination for younger crowds of vintage lovers, it has two shops in the city and an online shopping platform. Know that its store in Monti is next door to other popular vintage stores, so know to hang around the district to find more places to explore. On Via dei Serpenti, 135/136 (Cavour metro stop).

Mercato Monti: on most Saturdays and Sundays, this hall on Via Leonina (in the aforementioned Monti district) becomes the home to Etsy sellers, craftsmen and vintage sellers. Entrance is free and you can always find several racks heavy with designer clothing. On Via Leonina, 46/48 (Cavour metro stop).

Sitenne, Mamamama & Lesley Luxury Vintage: these are just a handful of the luxury vintage stores you can find in Rome at the moment. Most of them also have an online shop, so you can do your shopping from afar. To find more of the same, maybe near your accommodation, Google is your best bet!
Sitenne is on Via Petrarca, 1 (Manzoni/Vittorio Emanuele metro stations); Mamamama is on Via Basento, 8 (Piazza Fiume/Via Po area); Lesley Luxury Vintage is on Via Vittoria, 27 (Spagna metro stop)