Essentials & Clothing

Dorm Supplies:

Flying Tiger Copenhagen

• Best for: Small essentials like notebooks, pens, storage boxes, shower caddies, and kitchen tools.

• Locations:

• Via dei Servi, 98 – Near the Duomo, ideal for quick pick-ups.

• Borgo S. Lorenzo, 7r, 50123 Firenze FI
  
  

IKEA Sesto Fiorentino

• Best for: Larger items such as bedding, lamps, and shelves.

• Location: Sesto Fiorentino, ~40 minutes from the city center.

  • Getting there: Take Tram T2 toward Peretola, then transfer to the free IKEA shuttle at the last stop.

• Tip: Plan a half-day trip and make a list beforehand to maximize your visit.

Tutto 99 Cent / Tutto 1.19 Cent

• Best for: Budget-friendly dorm essentials, including kitchenware and small household items.

• Locations:

  • Via Nazionale, 107/R, 50123 Firenze FI – Convenient for students in Il Santo or S4.

  • Via de' Ginori, 46/R, 50123 Firenze FI
    
    

Satur

• Best for: Affordable home and dorm supplies, including cleaning appliances, accessories, and storage solutions.

• Location: Via dei Rondinelli, 3/7, 50123 Firenze FI

Kasanova

• Best for: Kitchenware, cookware, small appliances, and affordable dorm/home essentials.

• Locations:

  • Via di Novoli, 10, 50127 Firenze FI

  • Borgo la Croce, 65/67/69 R, 50121 Firenze FI

Coin

• Best for: Mid-range quality home goods, bedding, kitchen supplies, and lifestyle items.

• Location: Piazza del Grano, 5/6, 50122 Firenze FI 

• Tip: A good balance between affordability and style, with seasonal sales worth checking out.

Affordable Clothing:

Florence may be known for luxury fashion houses like Gucci and Ferragamo, but you don’t need a designer budget to dress well here. The city offers a wide range of affordable clothing options  from international chains to secondhand gems and outlet malls just outside town. Prices tend to rise the closer you are to the Duomo or Piazza della Repubblica, so if you’re looking for better deals, head toward neighborhoods like San Lorenzo and Santo Spirito, where independent shops and markets thrive. Street markets like San Lorenzo Market also sell clothes and accessories at bargain prices (just check quality before buying).

Affordable Chains

OVS

• Best for: Reliable, affordable basics and seasonal clothing.

• Locations:

  • Via Panzani, 50123 Firenze FI (near Santa Maria Novella)

  • Via Nazionale, 15, 50123 Firenze FI

• Tip: Regular promotions on basics make this a go-to for students.

Zara

• Best for: Trend-driven pieces and more polished outfits.

• Location: Via Roma, 13R, 50123 Firenze FI (just off Piazza della Repubblica)

• Tip: Prices can be higher than other fast-fashion chains, but good for formal or city-chic looks.

Mango

• Best for: Stylish European-inspired clothing with a slightly more mature aesthetic.

• Locations:

  • Piazza della Stazione, 1 (Centro Commerciale), 50123 Firenze FI

  • Via de' Cerretani, 60, 50123 Firenze FI

• Tip: Great for coats, knitwear, and professional attire at a mid-range price point.

Vintage & Sustainable Fashion

Melrose Vintage

• Best for: 80s and 90s streetwear, denim, and statement pieces.

• Location: Via de’ Ginori, 18R, 50123 Firenze FI

• Tip: Check the discount racks — prices can be lower than chain stores.

Humana Vintage

• Best for: Secondhand and vintage clothing with a charitable mission.

• Locations:

  • Via delle Belle Donne, 4, 50123 Firenze FI (near Santa Maria Novella)

  • Via Faenza, 63R, 50123 Firenze FI (San Lorenzo area)

• Tip: Frequent rotating discounts (up to 50% off).

Boutique Nadine

• Best for: Curated vintage and retro-inspired clothing, accessories, and home goods.

• Locations:

  • Via de’ Benci, 32R, 50122 Firenze FI (Santa Croce area)

  • Lungarno Acciaiuoli, 22R, 50123 Firenze FI (near Ponte Vecchio)

• Tip: Pricier than Humana or Melrose, but each piece is carefully selected and often one-of-a-kind.

For more recommendations, check out this guide to vintage clothing stores in Florence.

Student-Friendly Outlets (Day Trips)

The Mall Firenze

• Best for: Luxury brands at outlet prices (Prada, Gucci, Valentino).

• Location: Via Europa 8, Leccio Reggello (about 45 minutes from Florence).

• Getting there: Shuttle buses run from Santa Maria Novella station.

• Tip: Even discounted, prices are higher than fast fashion, but good for investment pieces.

Barberino Designer Outlet

• Best for: Mid-range and sportswear brands (Nike, Levi’s, Adidas, Calvin Klein).

• Location: Via Meucci, Barberino di Mugello (40 minutes north of Florence).

• Getting there: Shuttle buses run from Santa Maria Novella station.

• Tip: Ideal for stocking up on basics and branded casualwear at lower prices than in the city center.

Textbooks and Academic Resources 

There are several cost-effective ways to obtain textbooks in Florence:

• Villa Ulivi Library: Offers semester -  long loans (limited supply) and two-week loans. Visit early to secure copies. 

• Paperback Exchange: Purchase books and receive a partial refund if returned in excellent condition. 

• Online Orders: Use Amazon.it or EU-based website.  

  • NYU students have access to Amazon Prime for free, which means delivery is free.

  •  Some textbooks may be cheaper online than at Paperback Exchange.

  •  NOTE: Do not purchase from Amazon.com or other extra-EU websites. Customs fees and delivery delays will far outweigh any presumed savings.

• Florence’s public libraries

  • The Biblioteca delle Oblate grants students a free library card, which entitles students to check out books, making photocopies, and free wifi.  

  • Other libraries (Biblioteca di Storia e Letteratura Nord-Americana, Biblioteca di Lettere (Humanities Library), Biblioteca di Storia dell’Arte (Art History Library), and Biblioteca di Palagio di Parte Guelfa) allow students to buy a copy card and make photocopies of most texts. 

    • The average photocopy costs 5 cents per A4 page and 10 cents per each A3. Please note that only 15% of the book can be photocopied