So what can we do about the not-fitting-in situation? Read on my friend, read on.

Start with the shoes

Let’s start with the obvious: lose the shoes. It even rhymes, so no excuses. White New Balance runners might be fine in Connecticut but in Florence they’ll blow your cover faster than whistling “Dixie Land” through a megaphone.

Consider leather walking shoes, leather sandals, or if you must, a more conservative sports shoe. You’ll find affordable shops selling shoes on Via del Corso. And while we’re on the subject of footwear, sports sandals don’t cut it here either. Leather. Leather. Leather! And flip-flops? Forget it.

On the subject of shorts

Let’s move our way up, shall we? How about shorts? Nope. Italians don’t wear them. Unless it’s at the beach where the name of the game is to wear the least amount of clothing possible. A true Italian would rather eat canned tomato sauce than be caught wearing half a pair of pants in the street. Long pants, shirts, dresses, but no shorts.

As for beachwear, one word: Speedo.

Shirts

Now we come to the torso. Remember, you’re trying to blend in, not look like a walking billboard. Big letters out, neatly-pressed shirts or monochrome tees in. Don’t shout with your t-shirt, save that for your hands and face – like the locals do.

The city center is filled with shops and sales are on twice a year at the end of the summer and after Christmas. Take advantage of those, stores slash prices by up to 75 percent.

Clothing outlets

There are several ways of cheaping your way into vogue. One suggestion is to attend “Vintage Selection” – Florence’s annual vintage clothing fair held in late January. Check Stazione Leopolda’s website for more info.

There are also discount clothing outlets in the outskirts of Florence which house most of the big Italian designer labels. The Mall and Barberino seem to be two of the more popular ones. They also offer tour packages which include entrance fees.

Ready to act

So now that you’re all dressed up, what do you do? Stay tuned for my next post: How to act like a local.

The post Florence: How to look like a local – Part 1: The Clothes appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

(Target by Missoni’s 1960s Italian film-inspired campaign featuring Margherita Missoni was pretty marvelous, I must say. It definitely caught my eye. Besides, who doesn’t want to be a spy?)

So where to find similar designer collaborations in Paris? Here’s what I’ve discovered, along with a few tips on how to secure the coveted goods.

1. Monoprix

On Wednesday, September 21, 2011, the French clothing line American Vintage by Michaël Azoulay will launch a limited collection of his signature t-shirts, hoodies and sweaters at Monoprix stores (Target’s French cousin) throughout the city. Pinch yourself. It’s not even listed on Monoprix’s Web site yet. For now, it’s our little secret, so plan to arrive early. Doors usually open around 9 a.m.

Monoprix at 43 avenue Clichy in Pigalle

Depeche mode

Not in Paris? Don’t fret. This is not Monoprix’s first tangle with a designer, and it won’t be its last. Like Target, Monoprix has been working with designers for nearly a decade. Currently Nathalie Lété and “La Cerise sur le Gâteau” by Anne Hubert are both sharing the spotlight.

Other collaborations have featured pin-uppity lingerie by Fifi Chachnil, pop culture-inspired shirts and sweaters by Lucien Pellat-Finet, and handbags by Vincent Sartel, the former creative director at Louis Vuitton Moël Hennessy. Why, it’s a win-sin for all.

So what’s the big deal?

Michaël Azoulay’s American Vintage shirts are super soft and comfy. Made of all-natural fibers, they’re also wickedly expensive. The flagship is located at 10 rue des Francs Bourgeois. Here the t-shirts cost about €80. But at Monoprix, they’ll run about €25 a pop. Charlotte Gainsbourg, Gwyneth Paltrow, Liv Tyler, and Penelope Cruz don the garb. Just saying.

I’ve got my eye on Michaël’s long t-shirts with a scoop neck in taupe, rose, coal and ciel bleu. I’m also crushing on the Bordeaux-colored sweater dress that runs about a third of the normal cost. A “uniform” fanatic (it just makes mornings easier), I think I’ll be able to score my fall wardrobe in one fell swoop. The t-shirts are also available for men, too.

Here’s a historical tidbit for you: The t-shirt became a closet staple after Marlon Brando’s stellar performance as Stanley in “A Street Car Named Desire,” and its popularity is showing no signs of leaving, baby.

Make a new plan

Prior to your shopping spree, take a peek at the collection’s look book, if it’s available online. It will save you time. Create a wish list. Arrive early. Familiarize yourself with the store layout. Monoprix is also a grocery store. Upon your arrival, if you spot groceries on the ground level, quickly hotfoot it down to the clothing level.

If time permits, visit more than one location. Here’s a list of my favorite Monoprix shops. The one on Boulevard Sébastopol, pictured above, is housed in a Félix Potin building (a masterpiece!).

43 Avenue Clichy, 17th arrondissement (Metro: Blanche or Pigalle)
95 Boulevard Sébastopol, 2nd arrondissement (Metro: Réaumur Sébastopol)
56 rue de Caumartin, 9th arrondissement (Metro: Saint-Lazare)
21 Avenue Opéra, 2nd arrondissement (Metro: Opéra)
52 Avenue des Champs-Elysées, 8th arrondissement (Metro: Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile)
2 rue du Commerce, 15th arrondissement (Metro: La Motte Picquet Grenelle)

H&M on Boulevard Haussmann

2. H&M

H&M is another prime hotspot for designer collaborations. The chain will launch its “Versace by Donatella” collection in Europe on November 17, 2011. Other stores worldwide will receive goods by the end of the fall season. (New Yorkers, the preview party will take place in your hood on November 8. Good for you! Yes, I am very jealous.)

In the past, H&M has collaborated with Roberto Cavalli, Stella McCartney, Jimmy Choo and Lanvin by Alber Elbaz.

Tip: Not all of the H&M shops in Paris receive the designer goods, so kick off your quest at one of the larger stores at either 52 Champs Élysée or the 54 Boulevard Haussmann. It’s sandwiched neatly in-between grand magasins Printemps and Galeries Lafayette. Prior to the sale, check the Web site and create a game plan.

One last high note

Dear window shoppers, the Missoni flagship in Paris is located at 1 Rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 8th arrondissement (Metro Saint-Honoré). Here Rosita and Ottavio Missoni started flaunting their flames, waves and zigzags back in 1976.

Your favorite Cheapo collaborations?

Cheapos, do you have a favorite designer collaboration? Did you score a Missoni for Target treasure? Do tell in the comments section below. My sister Wendy has already trapped one of their black and white overnight train bags!

The post Paris Fashion: Finding high-end designers at cheapo prices appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

For the donna…

Ride high!

Whether it’s hopping on a motorini or taking on those ancient, cobbled streets, strong and dominant high heels are de rigueur for Roman ladies. Get the look on-the-cheapo: Head for the Piazza dell’Emporio in the Testaccio area. Just a short walk from the Piramide Metro and outside the vegetable market you’ll find stalls packed with great, sexy shoes at bargain prices. Ciao down!

And another thing…

Mini skirts and short shorts for the ladies are deemed declassé and, worse yet, touristy.

For the uomo…

Walk in his shoes.

Not wearing a decent pair of shoes here is considered in extremely bad taste. Also, with such an elaborate array of shoe stores all over the city, and for every budget, there is simply no excuse to be soul-less. Get the look on the cheapo: For good deals and decent prices, check out Mas Allo Statuto (11, Via della Statuto). It’s between Termini station and Piazza Vittorio and has four floors full of choice stuff.

Dress the part.

You will notice that everyone from the street vendor to the taxi driver dresses “up” in Rome. It’s appreciated if you slip on a smart shirt, trousers and shoes. Get the look on the cheapo: A cool shop for guys is the Ivy Oxford on Via due Macelli (near the Spanish Steps). Here you can snag stylish new togs without breaking the bank.

And another thing…

Skinny jeans are pretty much the norm among the young dudes in Rome. Get the look on the cheapo: The easy answer here is H&M. Stores are located at Via Cristoforo Colombo 714, (Rome 00144), on Via Collatina, (Roma Lunghezza 00010) and at 201, Via Alberto Lionello (Roma Bufalotta). Also worth a look for good prices: Benetton. There’s a store on Via Nazionale.

For all man (and woman) kind

Some schmancy knockoff shades; Photo by Sav D’Souza

Proper shading

You’ve gotta have shades in Rome. No matter if it’s overcast or you find yourself indoors unable to see a thing, it’s all about the look. Designer sunglasses and their doppelganger knockoffs are essential for blending in here.  Get the look on the cheapo: Take a stroll along Via Nazionale and you are bound to spy street vendors selling designer shades. Remember these Chanel and Dolce versions lack authenticity, so haggle away until you get a price that’s right.

Good branding

Big name labels and brands are big stuff in Rome. Some of the most frequently encountered are the ubiquitous Lacoste polo shirts, Converse and Adidas trainers, and—that’s right—those flashy name brand sunglasses. These are all considered wardrobe staples. Get the look on the cheapo: The market on Via Sannio (near the San Giovanni Metro station) is a great place to pick up labels at a fraction of their normal cost. Remember, those prepared to haggle will get further reductions.

Snow suit

Even if it seems like a mild day – perhaps even a touch on the warm side – Romans don a coat, scarf and sometimes a chic, woolly hat. Get the look on the cheapo: The area around Castel Sant’Angelo sells scarves and hats at good prices.

The post Rome Tip: Look the part without breaking the bank appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.