Best vintage stores in Rome – why buy vintage?

Ten years ago, acquiring great vintage pieces in Rome was expensive and time consuming. There were a few premium resellers, but – well – to put it bluntly – they wanted a lot of money for their old stuff. But as vintage appreciation has increased in the city, conversely, the options and the prices have become much more reasonable. Why buy vintage? Even if you’re not the type to go top-to-toe in sixties, seventies or eighties garb, gently-loved accessories add quality and class to any look. They really don’t make bags like they used to: and acquiring second-hand jewellery is buying into history, to finish an outfit with a truly unique touch.

We’ve come up with 15 great places to buy vintage in Rome. Read on for the full guide.

The tl;dr version is: head for Monti, first of all, then try Via del Governo Vecchio. Apart from anything else, these districts have an old-world charm which will even just make the wandering worthwhile. Sometimes the opening hours may vary – stay cool and happy hunting!

P.S. – if you’re still looking for a hotel in Rome, I’ve rounded up some highly rated options here.

 

A guide to some of the best vintage shops in Rome

1. Mercato Monti

Any lover of vintage should start the hunt in Monti: there are lots of great stores here, plus, the cult of the hipster is alive and well and rocking some inspiring looks in the streets around Piazza della Madonna dei Monti. If you’re in Rome on a weekend, start at Mercato Monti, a covered market of around 30 stalls, with some 10 vendors selling select second-hand clothes and reconditioned objects: we love the antique books which have been fashioned into reading lights with the addition of Edison bulbs. The prices are on the steep side, but there’s an excellent selection of vintage silk scarves and more recent pre-loved jackets and shirts; plus, find fun, brand-new pieces such as kooky t-shirts and fabric bags.

• Mostly Women’s
• Via Leonina 48
• Saturdays and Sundays 10.00 – 20.00
• Location: Monti (Metro Cavour)

2. Le Vesti di Messalina

Among Rome’s vintage stores, this one is easy to miss, but it’s full of great stock and the prices are reasonable. According to a local guy friend who’s a regular shopper here, this is one of the best places for men to pick up second-hand jackets in leather, denim and fabric, to suit your inner rocker, mod or punk. The jeans selection in particular is amazing.

• Women’s and Men’s
• Via Leonina 24
• Monday – Sunday 9.00 – 20.00
• Location: Monti (Metro Cavour)

3. King Size Vintage

There’s an excellent selection of shoes at King-Sized Vintage, for women and men, and expect a big choice of bags, although the quality and age of the stock varies greatly here. There are lots of 70s and 80s shirts so it also has a dressing-up vibe, but look out for felt hats, tea dresses and a massive choice of Dr. Marten’s shoes and Clarks’ desert boots for every-day wear.

• Women’s and Men’s
• Via Leonina 78 & 79 / Via del Boschetto 94
• Monday – Sunday 11.00 – 20.30
• Location: Monti (Metro Cavour)

4. Flamingo

Flamingo is a carefully curated unmarked store on pretty Via del Boschetto, specialising in high quality vintage couture, as well as some brand-new, period-style clothing, made in-house. This is not a pile-em-high second hand store, but a treasure trove of absolutely mint condition pieces: the prices are accordingly higher, but absolutely fair. Look out for Valentino bags, Yves San Laurent shoes and Ferragamo scarves, as well as some exceptional pieces of jewellery. Definitely one of the top Rome vintage stores.

• Women’s
• Via del Boschetto 123
• Monday – Sunday 10.00 – 20.00
• Location: Monti (Metro Cavour)

5. Le Gallinelle Abito

While Le Gallinelle’s clothes are almost exclusively brand new – and made in-house by the three fashion designers that own the store – this also happens to be an excellent place to source vintage handbags. They only ever have 8 to 12 bags on display, which are not always big name pieces, but the quality is – honestly – the best I’ve found on Rome’s vintage scene (and they sell immediately). I suspect that many of them are vintage deadstock (pieces produced a few decades ago but never sold, having languished in stock rooms for years) as many of these bags are absolutely immaculate. For the last six months or so, Le Gallinelle has been teaming up with next door showroom space Sacripante Gallery to dispay its wares, so if you don’t find number 61 Via Panisperna open, try at number 59! Keep an eye on Le Gallinelle Abito’s wonderful Facebook page as well for further inspiration.

• Women’s and Men’s
• Via Panisperna 59 / 61
• Mon-Sat 10.30 – 14.00 / 15.00 – 20.00; Sun 12.00 – 14.00 / 15.00 – 20.00
• Location: Monti (Metro Cavour)

6. Gocce di Memoria

Gocce di Memoria has been around for years, and is still a reliable vintage shop in Rome to pick up second-hand sunglasses, couture bags, men’s ties and other one-off pieces. The prices are average to high but it’s always worth popping in to see if there’s anything of interest on sale. They also have an Etsy store if you’re itching to pick something up outside opening hours! https://www.etsy.com/it/shop/GoccediMemoria

• Women’s and Men’s
• Via Panisperna 238A
• Mon 14.00 – 20.00; Tues-Thurs 10.30-20.00; Fri-Sat 10.30-21.00
• Location: Monti (Metro Cavour)

7. De Nisi Vintage

I’ve mostly steered clear of antique objects for this list, but couldn’t bear to miss out this store. If you love designs of yesteryear, you’re going to love this great vintage shop specialising in furniture and second-hand lamps, with lots of other curiosities for the home thrown in. From mirrors to posters, ceramics to sculptures and chairs, there’s an awful lot of style to be found here, with mostly Italian and French pieces on sale.

• Via Pansisperna 51
• Monday – Saturday 10.30-19.30
• Location: Monti (Metro Cavour)

8. Pifebo

Not going to lie: I LOVE Pifebo. I’m more into vintage accessories than clothes, but this place makes me want to rock a preppy zip-up, Adidas tracksuit or Metal-logo leather jacket like nowhere else. Pifebo also happens to specialise in the best selection of cheap vintage handbags in town – there, I’ve said it! This is my secret store for picking up cheap no-name bags made from top quality leather for around €25 as well as Bridge bags, designer shoes and brand-new, vintage style shades. Incredible value and definitely one of the best vintage stores in Rome.

• Women’s and Men’s
• Via dei Serpenti 135
• Mon-Sat 11 – 20.00, Sun 12 – 20.00
• Location: Monti (Metro Cavour)

9. Pifebo Kilo Shop

If you thought Pifebo was good value, you haven’t seen their Kilo Shop next door but one. This literally sells bagfuls of clothes at exceptional prices, as well as cut-price, no-name vintage bags. The clothes cost just €15 per kilo, while the bags are €10 and second-hand shoes are also €10. Great for extreme bargain hunters.

• Women’s and Men’s
• Via dei Serpenti 141
• Mon-Sat 11 – 20.00, Sun 12 – 20.00
• Location: Monti (Metro Cavour)

10. Tempi Moderni

Rome’s other vintage mecca is Via del Governo Vecchio, which is the location of some of the city’s oldest vintage stores. The prices tend to be a bit higher but it’s worth a wander. Boutique Tempi Moderni is a one-of-a-kind store featuring Bakelite and celluloid jewellery from the 20s and 30s, pop art prints and vintage styles including fabulous couture pieces from Europe’s greatest fashion houses.

• Women’s and men’s
• Via del Governo Vecchio 108
• Monday-Sunday 10-13.00, 16.00-19.30
• Location: Centre (Piazza Navona area)

11. Omero & Cecilia Vintage

Husband and wife team Omero & Cecelia are living legends on the street where they have been peddling vintage fashion for more than 30 years. Incredibly active in sourcing items from markets all over the country, including military shirts and cashmere, Omero is also an expert on Roman history and will happily share a local tip or dining recommendation. Rome vintage stores don’t get much better than this.

• Women’s and men’s
• Via del Governo Vecchio 110
• Monday-Sunday 10.30-19.30
• Location: Centre (Piazza Navona area)

12. Abiti Usati

A pile-em-high second-hand clothes shop, this simple store lets its wares do the talking, but Giulia, daughter of owner Michele Salvatore, can guide you through the maze of 60s, 70s and 80s fashion and accessories in its cavernous interior.

• Women’s and men’s
• Via del Governo Vecchio 35
• Monday-Sunday 10.30-19.30
• Location: Centre (Piazza Navona area)

13. Prestigio Interni

A mesmerising curiosity shop, Prestigio Interni sells ceramics, wrought-iron furniture, old bird-cages and vintage postcards to add a touch of old world charm to the home. Sourced from far-flung markets in China, Paris and London, puppets and antique glass jostle for position on its myriad shelves and counters.

• Via del Governo Vecchio 38
• Monday-Sunday 10.30-19.30
• Location: Centre (Piazza Navona area)

14. Da Cinzia Vintage

Just because you never know when a pair of Donald Duck pants will come in handy, Cinzia Vintage holds onto those things that other people throw out. Let Cinzia’s daughter Martina help you put together an outfit featuring 60s, 70s and 80s pieces with an ineffable Italian chic that somehow brings it all together.

• Women’s and men’s
• Via del Governo Vecchio 45
• Monday-Sunday 10.30-19.30
• Location: Centre (Piazza Navona area)

15. Borghetto Flaminio

After some careful consideration, this is the only one of the outdoor vintage markets in Rome we’re going to recommend, despite the fact that there is a long list of flea markets round the city: from the famous Sunday market at Porta Portese, to second-hand bags in Piazza Mazzini and one-off events at Città dell’Altra Economia and other locations. The reason? We don’t want you wasting time, dear reader. Borghetto Flaminio, an outdoor vintage market in Rome held every Sunday in a bus depot along the Via Flaminia, charges an entrance fee of €1.60, which is just enough to raise the quality and make this a faster and more worthwhile experience. Expect second hand Dr Martens, Fendi and Gucci bags, vintage shades, reconditioned jewellery, men’s ties and sheepskin jackets, as well as brand-new make up stock at cut prices.

• Women’s and men’s
• Piazza della Marina, 32
• Sundays 10am-7pm
• Entrance fee: €1.60
• Location: Flaminio (Metro Flaminio + tram 2, 19)

Add your favourite vintage suggestions in the comments!

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