The Best Stores For Accessory Shopping In Rome

The right accessory can take a simple outfit from ho-hum to outstanding in seconds. Where better to start upgrading your wardrobe than Rome, one of Europe’s most stylish cities? Check out these family-run businesses for the best of Italian style, whether you’re hunting for eyewear and head adornments or purses and shoes.

Trinkets at Spazio Espanso

One of the most beautiful stores in Rome and certainly one of the most stylish, this artistic oasis has a wonderful selection of clothes along with a wide range of hand-selected accessories. The vibe is feminine, romantic and bohemian, so you’ll find colorful fabric purses with threaded tassels along with delicate beaded necklaces, animal print clutches and geometric-printed scarves. Spazio Espanso is a creative space that expertly selects and showcases each item in its collection as though it were on display on a museum, so its worth a stop to soak in the inspiration – and a great place for a quick rest in one of the comfy armchairs in the entrance.

Spazio Espanso, Via dei Bergamaschi 60, Rome, Italy, +39 06 9784 2793
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Glasses at Mondelliani

These funky frames represent the best of ironic Italian style: chic and avant-garde, they are expertly crafted to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Mondelliani stocks Italian and international sunglasses and eyeglasses, and also produces its own name-brand eyewear that is often colorful with a touch of pop. The styles lie somewhere between classic and edgy, and the brand is renowned throughout the city for its quality and professionalism. The store also sells a variety of small accessories including watches, umbrellas and jewelry.

Mondelliani, Via dell’Oca 36, Rome, Italy, +39 06 3107 7321
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Shoes at Geppy

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Along with the store on Via Cola di Rienzo, Via Nazionale makes for one of the best shopping experiences in the city. At the top of the street close to Piazza della Repubblica lies Geppy, with its large selection of made-in-Italy shoes at affordable prices. The shoes are made of quality leather and combine classic and trendy styles which will keep your feet happy through the years. From cut-out booties to sparkly high-heels, all of the shoes are comfortable and come in a range of ultra-wearable colors, including many nice tonal browns and grays in addition to omnipresent black.

Purses at Carucci

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This family-owned business has been crafting high-quality purses, trunks and suitcases since 1902. Now they have added a range of shoes, umbrellas, foulards and small leather accessories into the mix to be a one-stop shop for all your needs. Geared towards an older customer range, the styles are classic with some more novel pieces thrown into the mix for an elegant and refined look. The prices are incredibly reasonable for what you get, and the whole experience transmits the elegance of historic Roman shopping.

Hats at Antica Manifattura Cappelli

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This hat shop was established in 1936 by a Tuscan family, and has since been managed by Patrizia Fabri, who combines tradition with innovation to create artistic hats that can be donned in a myriad of ways. Antica Manifattura Cappelli provides hats for cinematic productions, the theater, fashion shows and even bills Lady Gaga and Madonna as its clients. Stop by to create a custom-made hat or pick up a ready-crafted creation. Outfitting both men and women, there are endless styles in store.

By Livia Hengel

About the author

Livia Hengel

Livia Hengel is an Italian-American writer, photographer and traveler with a penchant for la dolce vita and a severe case of wanderlust. Originally born in Rome, she spent her life living around the world in Peru, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Turkey and the US before moving back to her city of birth. She is passionate about all things cultural, existential, stirring and beautiful and is happiest when she is contemplating human nature over a glass of wine or wandering off-the-beaten-path in a new city. When she's not traveling around Italy, you can find Livia eating her way through the best restaurants in Rome or keeping up with Instagram. Livia is the author of The HUNT Guide for Rome and also contributes to Spotted by Locals.