The 5 Best Affordable Places To Shop For Trendy Clothing In Rome

Rome is one of the world's most iconic cities. It offers travelers the opportunity to enjoy mouthwatering food, ancient architecture, beautiful art, and fascinating culture. There's arguably nothing more romantic than wandering through the streets of Rome on a summer night, which may be why it's one of the best honeymoon destinations in the world.

There are all sorts of attractions that draw tourists to Rome, but few leave without indulging in at least a little retail therapy. Rome has been a stylish city since time immemorial, and in our modern era, it has firmly cemented its place among the world's fashionable destinations. While Milan may take the prize as Italy's most fashion-forward city, you'll find no shortage of places to shop during a trip to Rome. Luxury shoppers will love all of the high-end designer boutiques that line the streets. Gucci, Prada, Fendi, Dolce & Gabbana, Bottega Veneta, and Giorgio Armani are just a few of the world-famous designers who come from Italy. 

There's no shame in splurging a little on your trip to Rome, but if you're looking for some more budget-friendly shopping, fear not. There are plenty of wonderful places to score trendy clothing without breaking the bank. If you're interested in purchasing some trendy new outfits to wear during your Roman holiday and to elevate your closet back home, these affordable places to shop should be your go-tos while in Rome.

If you're a fashion-savvy traveler and you haven't yet experienced the joys of thrifting, Rome's Mercatino second-hand shops are the perfect place to begin. My apologies, because you'll likely discover a life-long passion (or possibly fixation) for digging through "the bins," and you may need to purchase an extra suitcase for the trip home. 

In the United States, "thrifting" refers to shopping for used clothes. It's an environmentally-friendly alternative for budget-conscious shoppers who want to avoid fast fashion. For those of us who love clothes and bargains, thrifting is a sport. Personally, it's one of my favorite things to do whenever I visit a new city. Rome, with all of its stylish locals, is an excellent place to hunt for one-of-a-kind treasures and pick up some clothing to help you look like a local when traveling in Italy. 

In Europe, thrift stores are usually referred to as charity shops or second-hand stores. Mercatino is a second-hand chain with more than 20 store locations around Rome, and others scattered nearby. If you have an Italian address, you can also shop online, where individuals are able to list items for sale. You can find gently-used vintage and modern clothing, leather bags, accessories, and antiques at all price points. 

Clothing and accessories that are painstakingly handmade by artisans aren't as expensive as you might think, especially when you shop at some of Rome's iconic flea markets. They're bustling and lively with vendors selling a little bit of everything. You'll see baked goods, used books, handmade leather goods, art, vintage clothes, and so much more. In addition to being the perfect place to find souvenirs you should get in your trip to Italy, flea markets are wonderful places to interact with locals and practice your Italian.

Porta Portese is Rome's largest open-air flea market, and it's held every Sunday starting early in the morning. It's been a beloved Sunday tradition for Roman locals since around 1945. The market stretches more than a mile and feels like a maze, so plan on budgeting a few hours to let yourself get lost among the stalls.

Another option is Mercato Monti, described as an urban market, and it's the perfect place to find some trendy clothes, jewelry, and accessories to commemorate your time in Rome. You'll find new and used clothes, vintage sunglasses, and the work of local designers every single weekend in Rome's Monti neighborhood. The market opens at 10 a.m. and remains open into the evening, and there's usually a live DJ. The market is also close to some of the best sites to visit in Italy for ancient history lovers. 

If your budget has some wiggle room and you're a lover of designer fashion, the Castel Romano Outlet will delight and inspire you. High-end designer pieces are still going to cost a pretty penny. If you shop at the outlet, you'll be able to score some deep discounts, but don't expect thrift-store prices. If you're willing to splurge a little on something you'll be able to keep forever, you'll surely find what you're looking for at the outlet shops. The massive outdoor mall is one of the best hidden gems in Rome.

The Castel Romano Outlet is one of the most popular choices. It's located about 30 minutes outside of the city center. You can get there via the bus, hire a cab, or rent a car and drive yourself. When you arrive, you'll be able to browse more than 150 shops and score designer brands at up to 70% off retail prices. A few of the most recognizable fashion houses with shops at Castel Romano Outlet includes Armani, Burberry, Jimmy Choo, Missoni, Moschino, Valentino, and Versace. You'll also find more budget-friendly brands like Guess, Columbia, and Adidas. When you need a break from shopping, stop by one of the ten onsite restaurants and cafés for a quick bite to eat. Valmontone Outlet is another great option to shop. It's located about an hour away from the city, so it makes a great day trip from Rome and offers shoppers big discounts on more than 180 designers.

Hunting for vintage treasures and searching through massive designer warehouses is an amazing way to spend an afternoon (or several days, if you're a dedicated shopper), but if you simply don't have the time or energy to spend hours finding the perfect outfit, then head to Porta di Roma. Perhaps you left your only warm jacket draped over the chair at a café after one too many Negroni's and you need an affordable replacement ASAP. Maybe you made a stylish new group of friends who invited you to a black-tie party that starts in a few hours, and you have nothing to wear. Or maybe you met the love of your life while traveling solo and now they're going to whisk you away to the Italian countryside to meet their parents. You'll obviously need a whole new wardrobe before the train departs. Here's to hoping!

While we might not all get the Roman fairytale vacation, there are plenty of reasons why you might need to purchase some cheap cute clothes without a lot of hassle. In that case, you'll find plenty of inexpensive global chains that fit the bill at Porta di Roma, which is one of the largest shopping malls in Rome. There, you can find standard shopping-mall stores like Zara, which is known for trendy clothing for both men and women. H&M, a Swedish chain with a similar vibe, also has a location at Porta di Roma.

Humana Vintage is a dream come true if you're looking for something truly unique. There are a few locations in Rome, each with an impeccably curated vintage collection. Expect to find fair prices on amazing pieces from the 1960s through the 1990s. There's a little bit of everything at Humana Vintage. You can find clothing and accessories for all genders at prices starting for as low as $15.

The company is a humanitarian organization that focuses on a circular supply chain model that benefits people and the planet by giving old clothes a new life. According to Humana Vintage, "ethics and aesthetics can and must coexist." The website states that "every human being, thanks to the support of his or her community, has the opportunity to become the protagonist and architect of his or her own destiny. Together, we can transform the world." When you shop here, you can rest assured that you won't be contributing to the production of harmful waste and the inhumane working conditions that often go hand in hand with fast fashion. Some proceeds from sales are used to fund humanitarian projects that have benefited over 9 million people around the world.

For our list of the best places to find trendy clothes in Rome, we considered affordability, location, and researched tons of travelers' reviews from across the web. We also relied on our writer's personal shopping experiences from the time she spent traveling in the Eternal City.