Italy
Rome's Vintage Shops and Hidden Boutiques: 6 of the Very Best
From Levi's jeans to leather jackets and cocktail dresses to cowboy boots, here's your guide to the best vintage clothes shops in Rome.
Searching for the very best of Rome’s vintage shops? You’re in the right place. The Eternal City may be best-known for its historic monuments, but there’s plenty more history to be found on the city streets in the form of pre-loved clothes and accessories. Not only are Rome’s second-hand shops handily affordable, they're crammed with hand-picked finds from the city’s best-dressed residents. From cocktail dresses to Levi's and jewel-encrusted jackets to sunglasses, you’re sure to find a stylish, wearable souvenir that’s not only one-of-a-kind, but sustainable, too.
Rome's best vintage shops
1. Twice Vintage
You’ll want to visit Trastevere, a boho neighbourhood in Rome, whether you love or loathe fashion – spending a day or longer on its leafy cobbled streets pairs perfectly with a busier schedule seeing the sites. But if you are a big shopper there’s even more reason to visit: Twice Vintage. A colourful, mostly casual and eccentric collection of vintage pieces await inside, from 80s prom-style dresses to shoes, leather boots, statement sunglasses, belts and bags. Most of the womenswear is at the front of the store, but at the back you’ll find unisex gear – think oversized Levi's shirts, plus vintage jeans, trousers and sweatshirts, from Disney to Carhartt.
- Address: Via di San Francesco a Ripa, 7, 00153
- Opening hours: 11am-1:30pm; 2pm-8pm
- Getting there: Hop on bus H from Termini station. The journey should take around 20 minutes.
2. Pifebo Vintage
There are two Pifebo locations across the city, but the flagship shop in Monti – with its tomato-red walls and trainers dangling from the ceiling – may just be the best. The owners were inspired by a trip to Stockholm, Sweden, wowed by the vintage offerings there, and decided to try and recreate something similar in Rome. The result is two stores crammed with vibrant vintage wear, from 80s Nike sports jackets to turquoise Patagonia fleeces. Every item is hand chosen based on their personal taste but what they get requests for – from leather skirts and ridiculously well-priced Levi’s denim jackets to what the founders describe as essentials, like lightweight mid-season jackets for men. The Monti store has a handy location just a short stroll from the Colosseum.
- Address: Via dei Serpenti, 135/136, 00184
- Opening hours: 11am-8pm
- Getting there: Take metro line B or B1 from Termini station, or combine it with your visit to the Colosseum.
3. Omero e Cecilia boutique
Omero e Cecilia boutique is a handy pitstop during your time at Piazza Navona. Unlike some vintage shops in Rome that go big on sweatshirts, fleeces and leisurewear, this is the place to find your luxury items from big designers including Valentino, Dior and Gucci. It’s also a place to shop for special occasions – you could pick up a silk wedding dress, a vintage leather skirt or hat, plus other one-of-a-kind items that you’re unlikely to find elsewhere. There are also plenty of choices for men, with velvet jackets and leather boots. The husband-and-wife duo have been sourcing special finds for the store since the 1970s and it shows – Omero e Cecilia boutique is as much an art gallery of vintage clothing as somewhere to shop.
- Address: Via del Governo Vecchio, 110, 00186
- Opening hours: 10:30am-8pm Monday to Saturday, 1:30pm-8pm Sunday
- Getting there: Take bus 40 from Termini. The journey should last around 20 minutes.
4. Mercato Monti urban market
5. King Size Vintage
Most of Rome’s vintage shops are narrow, cave-like treasure troves. King Size Vintage, on the other hand, feels fairly huge by comparison, with numerous rooms filled with racks and racks of clothing. Take your pick from leather trousers, colourful waistcoats, bum bags, suede boots and fringe jackets and so much more. Its location in the alternative neighbourhood of Monti makes it a great one to combine with a visit to Pifebo, after seeing the all-important Colosseum. If you’re keen to stay nearby, the Mercure Rome Colosseum Centre is a bright and modern hotel with an impressive rooftop pool and unrivalled Colosseum views.
- Address: Via Leonina, 78, 00184
- Opening hours: 12pm-8pm
- Getting there: Take metro line B or B1 from Termini station, or combine it with your visit to the Colosseum.
6. Flamingo at the Sacripante Gallery
Another must-visit in the Monti neighbourhood is Flamingo, located in the Sacripante Gallery. The small but perfectly styled space is stashed with once-in-a-lifetime finds, like bolero jackets, embroidered trousers, gold leather trench coats and beautiful cocktail dresses. It’s a more relaxing experience than some stores, with velvet stools to sit on if you’re waiting for your friend to finish up, and fewer rails, making pieces easier to find. Inside you’ll also find an incredible selection of feathered hats, handbags, statement earrings and platform shoes. Everything has been lovingly chosen by owner Carlotta Cerulli, whose family used to rent glamorous dresses to actresses in the Italian film industry. We also love strolling around the artworks before stopping at the very cool cocktail bar with velvet sofas and cement-grey walls and floors. Extend that movie star vibe with a stay at Mercure Roma Cinecittà, in the southeast of the city next to the iconic film studios of the same name.
- Address: Via del Panisperna 59, 00184
- Opening hours: 11:30am-midnight
- Getting there: Take metro B or B1 from Termini station.
Many of the city’s vintage shops are located in the Monti neighbourhood, making Mercure Roma Centro Termini a handy base for shopping as well as discovering Rome's hidden gems.
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