Leather goods, silk, knitwear, straw-work, gloves, Venetian glassware, linens, lingerie, jewelry, Borsalino hats, silver, toys, ceramics and local handicrafts everywhere. Italy is a centre for both men's and women's fashions.
Shops are open from 09.00 a.m. to 01.00 p.m. and 03.30/04.00 to 07.30/08.00 p.m. with come variation in Northern Italy (Milan, Turin) where the lunch break is shorter and shops close earlier.
Prices are reasonable and the quality of goods very high. Chain stores such as la Rinascente, Upim, Oviesse and Standa are found in many Italian cities. Suggestions: clothes for men and women (dresses, shoes, gloves, silk ties, shirts); lacework, jewelry, leather goods (handbags, cases, boxes, luggage), ceramics, gold and silver items, alabaster, woodwork, straw, embroidery, glass and crystal ware. It is advisable to carry merchandise purchased with you in order to avoid any inconvenience.
COMPARISON CHART - U.S. & European Sizes |
Merely a guide. Sizes are not standardized. Always try on, if possible.
United States
Europe |
Women's |
Dresses |
Coats |
Suits |
Skirts |
10 |
12 |
14 |
16 |
18 20 |
38 |
40 |
42 |
44 |
46 48 |
|
United States
Italy |
Women's |
Dresses |
Coats |
Suits |
Skirts |
34 |
36 |
38 |
40 |
42 44 |
44 |
46 |
48 |
50 |
|
|
United States
Europe |
Junior |
Dresses |
Coats |
Suits |
Skirts |
7 |
9 |
11 |
13 |
15 17 |
34-36 |
36-38 |
38-40 |
40-42 |
42-44 44-46 |
|
United States
Europe |
Women's |
Women's |
Coats |
Suits |
Skirts |
10 |
12 |
14 |
16 |
18 20 |
38 |
40 |
42 |
44 |
46 48 |
|
United States
Europe |
Ladies Blouses and Sweaters |
30 |
32 |
34 |
36 |
38 |
40 |
42 |
44 |
38 |
40 |
42 |
44 |
46 |
48 |
50 |
52 |
|
United States
Europe |
Ladies' Stockings (same as U.S.A.) Ladies' Shoes |
5 |
6 |
61/2 |
7 |
71/2 |
8 |
81/2 |
9 |
91/2 |
35 |
36 |
37 |
38 |
39 |
40 |
41 |
42 |
43 |
|
United States
Europe |
Men's Suits, Overcoats, Sweaters and Pajamas |
34 |
36 |
38 |
40 |
42 |
44 |
46 |
48 |
44 |
46 |
48 |
50 |
52 |
54 |
56 |
58 |
|
United States
Europe |
Men's Shirts |
14 |
141/2 |
15 |
151/2 |
16 |
161/2 |
17 |
171/2 |
36 |
37 |
38 |
39 |
40 |
41 |
42 |
43 |
|
United States
Europe |
Men's Hats |
67/8 |
7 |
71/8 |
71/4 |
73/8 |
71/2 |
75/8 |
73/4 |
55 |
56 |
57 |
58 |
59 |
60 |
61 |
62 |
|
United States
Europe |
Men's Shoes |
61/2 |
7 71/2 |
8 81/2 |
9 91/2 |
10 101/2 |
11 |
111/2 12 |
121/2 |
39 |
40 |
41 |
42 |
43 |
44 |
45 |
46 |
|
United States
Europe |
Children's Dresses and Suits |
2 |
4 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
12 |
40-45 |
50-55 |
60-65 |
70-75 |
80-85 |
90-95 |
|
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES (with approximate equivalents) |
14 grammes |
1/2 oz. |
Etto |
1/2 Ib. |
Kilo |
2 Ib. 2 oz. |
Quintale |
2201/2 Ib. |
Tonnellata |
2204,6 Ib. |
Litro |
1.065 qt. |
Ettolitro |
26.4 gals. |
Centimetro |
2/5 in. |
Metre |
29 in. |
Kilometro |
3/5 mile |
Ettaro |
21/2 acres |
Sq. Km. |
2/5 sq. mi. |
|
1/2 pound |
225 grams |
Pound |
1/2 kilo |
Pint |
0,47 litre |
Quart |
0,4 litre |
Gallon (American) |
3.78 litres |
Inch |
21/2 centimetres |
Foot |
301/2 centimetres |
Yard |
9 metres |
Mile |
12/3 km. |
Acre |
4050 sq. metres |
Sq. Mile |
2.6 sq. kms |
|
|