ROME

Di Nicola
Viale Mazzini 159, open 9-13, 15:30-19:30, closed Sunday and Monday morning
You'll find clothes discounted up to 40% by Cerruti, Loro Piana, Laura Biagiotti, Istante (Versace) and others, as well as a good assortment of clothes for children up to 12 years. Baby jeans are outlined in suede, the latest ski outfits and infant clothes from last season are 50% off.

Discount System
Via del Viminale 35, tel: 39-06-4746545
This shop probably has the best selection of last season's name-brand clothes (Azedine Alaia, Ralph Lauren, Rifat Ozbek, Prada) as well as shoes, belts, scarves, hats, and sweaters.

Il Discount delle Firme
Via dei Serviti 27
Pretty good assortment but again, it's the luck of the draw. Discount of 50% off the original retail price for famous designers as well as handbags, luggage, shoes, gloves, umbrellas, perfume, and lingerie.

Discount dell'Alta Moda
Via di Gesu e Maria 16, tel: 39-06-3613796
Again, it's the luck of the draw, you may find something you can't live without at an incredible price, but then again, you may not.

Leoni Limentani
Via Portico d'Ottavia 47, tel: 39-06-6540686
Is located in the heart of Rome's Jewish quarter. This warehouse of crystal, china (including Richard Ginori), and other housewares is incredible, where Roman matrons go to replace broken plates or indulge in new ones at up to 30% discount from the fancy downtown shops. You take a number and wait for somebody to escort you through the caverns which are a veritable treasure trove. They also have crystal, stainless steel, flatware, and pots and pans. Across the street they have an elegant shop where brides can choose their marriage lists, it's worth taking a look for the beautifuly set tables.

Messi Una Volta
Via Salaria 92 (Piazza Fiume near La Rinascente), tel: 39-06-8411374
Sells "gently" used children's clothes, and since Italians spend a lot of money dressing their children, and kids grow fast many of the garments look like new. Some names you'll find are Gap, Next, Levi's, Ralph Lauren, and Osh Kosh.

Moda Doc
Societa' Bezabea, Via B. Gosio 116, 00191, tel: 39-06-3338207
Only women's clothes Genny, Versace, Complice, Iceberg, Prada, Anna Sui (whose line is made in Italy). There's a good variety of sizes including up to 18, clothes available from the current seasons, and those from previous season are even more heavily discounted. Men's and women's shoes from Casadei, Samsonite, Sergio and Rossi.

Vesti a Stock
Via Germanico 170/A
Last seasons' fashion names at 50% off in most sizes including 16, selections from this season's samples only in size 10-12. Women's designer names include Armani, Mani, Krizia, Trussardi, Moschino, Dolce e Gabbana, and Max Mara. Men's clothes (samples are Italia size 48) include Ugo Boss, Ungaro Classic, Versace, Trussardi, Moschino, and Dolce & Gabbana. From time to time they carry accessories and shoes for men and women.

MILAN

Aerre
Via Spartaco 24, tel: 02 5516358
This large factory outlet store sells a large variety of items for upholstering at discounts up to 50%, sometimes more during certain periods. Also wallpaper and paper borders. They'll even put up the wallpaper for a fee. Over 400 different items. Open 9 to 12:30, 15 to 19:30.

Bassetti
Via Legnano 24, Rescaldina (outside Milan) tel: 0331 448111
Has eight factory outlet stores in the Milan area where they sell linens and towels, duvet covers, and quilts that are end of collection or slightly flawed.

Bassetti
Via Botta 7, tel: 55183191 and Via Procaccini 32, tel: 02 3450125
This company manufactures linens and other fabric objects for the home such as potholders, throw covers for chairs and sofas, curtains, sheets, and duvets. Patterns range from paisley to florals. All outlets open from 9:30 to 18:30 without closing for lunch.

Boom Centro Sconti Postal Market
Via Trieste 24 (Peschiero Borromeo, San Bovio, near Milan) tel: 02 75251, Via Lorenteggio 238/A, tel: 02 4151204, and Via Cremona (Lainate, outside Milan), tel: 02 9371484.
Postal Market is the Italian equivalent of the Sears catalog (they don't have retail stores) and these outlets carry the leftovers at up to 50% discount. Hours: 9:30 to 1, 14:30 to 18:30.

Boriani
Alzaia Naviglio Grande 98, tel: 8940-9238
A paradise for paper, from paper towels to sacks to Kleenex to notebooks, mostly sold in packs of 5 to 10 kilos. Hours: 8:30 to 12:30, 14 to 18.

Cagi
Via Cassala 46, tel: 02 8321541
Factory outlet for moderately priced underwear for men and women.

Centro Scampoli Milanese
Via Pierlombardo 1, tel: 5501-2442
Samples of clothing fabrics at good prices, sometimes they also have leather skins. Hours: 9:30 to 12:30 and 15 to 17.

Cicerone
Via Vigevano 35, tel: 8940-2909
Every kind of box in every shape, wrapping paper, ribbons, wrapping tape, double-sided tape.

Etro
Via Spartaco 3, tel: 02-550201, Monday 15-19, Tuesday to Saturday 10-13:45, 14:4530-19:00. Saturday from 10-13
Decorating fabrics, accossories and clothes from the previous collections at discounts up to 50%. Etro is famous for its paisley prints and high quality silks, cashmeres, and cottons. If I had time to hit only one place, this is the one.

Fratelli Favetti
Via Europa 31, (Pregnana Milanese), tel: 9329-1210
You'll find every kind of item for cleaning here, with nam brands and their own productiion, big containers. Open 8:30 to 12, 14 to 18:30, Saturday 8:30 to 12.

Galbusera
Via Marconi 20 (Agrate), tel: 039 6056333
This well-known manufacturer of cookies and panettone also offers chocolates and candies. Hours: 8:30 to 19:30, closed Saturday.

Golf Brothers
Via A. Costa 20, 2013 Gallarate (VA) tel: 39- 0331-774577 fax:0331-783866, E-mail Silvano@golfbrothers.it
The factory of this luxury leather goods manufacturer is a fifteen minute drive from Milan's Malpensa Airport and 500 metres from the Gallarate motorway exit. It's showroom, with English-speaking staff, is open every day including lunchtime. (On weekends please call during the week for an appointment). Among their clients is Marina Rinaldi, as well as a number of luxury car manufacturers for whom they make made-to-measure luggage. Web: http://www.golfbrothers.it

Italsilva
Viale Cimitero 7/b (Seregno), tel: 0362 325119
This company produces detersives for the home and sells them in sacks of 4, 8, and 25 kilos. You'll also find individual soaps. Hours: 8:30 to 12 and 14:30 to 19, closed Saturday afternoon and Monday morning.

La Porcellana Bianca
Via Statuto 11, tel: (02) 6571560
There's always a corner in this china shop with discounts up to 30%.

Luigi Raponi
Via Ronchi 2, tel: 2153900, Via Panzeri 10, tel: 8940-4267, and Via Strada (Bresso, outside Milan) tel: 02 6104794
Fabrics for home furnishings and clothes sold by the meter and by the kilo so you'll need patience to find a treasure but when you do it's worth it. Open from 9 to 13:30 and 15 to 19:30.

Magnolia
Via Visconti di Modrone 11, tel: 795168
Underwear for the whole family. They specialize in underwear and outerwear for infants. Knitwear with defects is sold by the kilo. Hours: 9:30 to 18:20, Saturday 9:30 to 12.

Mercato dei Fiori (Flower Market)
Via Marco Bruto 17, tel: 02 7386398
Milan's wholesale flower market is open to the public from 9 to 12 including Saturday.

So.Co.Mas
Via Ripamonti 42, tel: 02 5398283. Open 8:30 to 12, 14 to 18
Everything for the bath including tubs, hydromassage, Turkish bath, washbasins, glass shower stalls, faucets, tiles, and, of course, bidets. Hours: 8:30 to 12, 14 to 18.

Vea
Via Solari 11, tel: 5810-4482
Rugs of all kinds with discounts up to 60%. Open 9:30 to 12:30, 15:15 to 19.

Vidivi
Viale Elvezia 22, tel: 02 33103108, Tuesday to Saturday, 9-12:30, 14:30-18:30
Linens, rugs, bedspreads, quilts, many designed by Missoni, second choice, 40% discount.

Zucchi
Via Lorenzetti 4 (Piazza Gambara) tel: 02 48705057
Samples and end-of season home fabrics. Some merchandise has barely visible defects at good prices. Open 9:30 to 18:30 Tuesday through Saturday.

Zucchi
Via Ossona 2, Casorezzo (outside Milano), tel:02 902551
Home furnishings, linens, bedspreads.

FLORENCE

Raffaelle Buccioni
403/D Via Aretina, tel: 055 690013
This small factory on the outskirts of Florence makes some of the beautifully-crafted shoes sold at Nieman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman in the United States. There is a small selection for sale in the outlet shop above the factory. Call first and ask for Mr. Buccioni to be sure there are items currently for sale.