The Best [Used] Clothing Markets In Rome
Find diamonds in the rough and keep clothes out of landfills
If you’d like to listen to this article instead of reading it, consider checking our podcast episode on the subject.
Italy is known across the world for many things but two stand out above all: fashion and food. Of course, Milan is the fashion capital of Italy, and I could argue that the South is the food capital of Italy (pizza, anyone?), but Rome rides the line between the two.
There might have been a time when Rome was filled with small, locally-owned clothing stores, filled with goods unique to Europe, if not Italy. Now the most variance you’ll find between clothes in Rome and elsewhere in the world is the H&M is Rome has a slightly different stock than, say, Savannah, Ga. H&M not your cup of tea? How about Zara, Gap, Banana Republic, Foot Locker, Nike, North Face, or literally any of the other shops that line Via del Corso, running between Piazza del Popolo and the Roman Forum.
Where else can you find clothes?
Markets! Indoor, outdoor, under bedsheets strung between poles; markets form the backbone of the Roman clothing market. Some markets sell new clothing, some sell used, but all of them are worth a visit if you’re in town.
Before I get into the list, I offer a quick lesson for those of you who have never shopped at used outdoor clothing markets, especially outside of the United States. Here are some general rules that most markets follow. If you’re okay with these, you’ll be okay with anything!
There are no hangers. There are no nicely-folded piles. Nothing is sorted by size. Nothing is sorted by brand. Sometimes clothes are sorted by gender. There can be snatching and grabbing (though most of it is accidental). There can be mad scrambles into piles. There is no order, only chaos. Especially at the 50 cent tables.
Now, all of that being said, some of these stalls will have separated out their linen shirts since they hold a premium in the summer or their cashmere sweaters when the weather begins to cool down. Some will also have separated out well-known brands such as Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss, and Calvin Klein.
But by and large, go with your instincts, and don’t be afraid to dig through piles of clothes!
On to the list…
#1 Porta Portese
Porta Portese, or Portese Gate, has one of the longest-running and most well-known flea markets throughout Europe and, I’d be willing to bet, throughout the world.
Don’t let “flea market” and the images of old lunchboxes and car parts misguide you when it comes to this market. Hundreds of stalls line the blocks between Porta Portese and Trastevere selling everything from art (circa 1800s, if you need to practice your forgeries), jewelry, fabrics, toys, electronics, kitchen items, shoes, and, of course, clothes.
Like most clothing markets, the clothes are often piled high on tables with the stall-owner going by occasionally to fluff the piles and entice customers with any clothes hidden underneath. They’ll have mirrors set up so you can try on your potential purchases while they shout “Bella!” at you, despite however you look.
The market “opens” around 7am, and I recommend that you go early, around at least around 10am, before it gets too hot. The majority of the Porta Portese is on a narrow street, cobblestones beneath your feet and stone/concrete walls on each side. In the summer, this little alley turns into an oven with the lines for the free water fountains easily dozens of people long.
Keep in mind, the Porta Portese market is only open on Sundays!
ADDRESS: Piazza di Porta Portese, 00153, Roma, RM
#2 Via Sannio
The Via Sannio market is smaller than Porta Portese, but it’s still worth the trip. Especially if you’re in the area! It’s a mix of new and used clothes, but one of the reasons we like it is the “nicheness” of certain stalls. Some stalls are devoted to bedclothes, some to traditional German or Tibetan clothes, and some to used soccer jerseys. It’s often a blast to see what treasures we find even if we come away without having bought anything.
Although it’s outdoors, the Market is under a layer of awnings, sheets, and tarps which provides shade and some rain protection. If a day is especially hot, Via Sannio is our go-to market for this reason.
It’s open all week, Monday-Saturday, 8am-1pm.
ADDRESS: Via Sannio, 00183, Roma, RM (The easiest way to get here is the Metro to San Giovanni.)
#3 Borghetto Flaminio
While technically “temporarily closed” this market is still on the list because it should be back up and running soon (as of August 2022).
The market at Borghetto Flaminio is like someone went through the Porta Portese market and picked out all the cool stuff. The well-known labels, the vintage jean jackets, and the leather boots. Because of this, most of the clothing at Borghetto Flaminio has a slightly higher price tag, but you don’t have to wade through tables and tables of clothes that aren’t really sorted.
I wouldn’t say it’s a “must see” but if you’re near the Piazza Del Popolo, it can be well worth the few minute walk north.
Just like Porta Portese, it’s only open on Sunday. But this market closes at 7pm.
ADDRESS: Piazza della Marina, 32, 00196, Roma, RM
#4 Monti Neighborhood
While it’s not a specific market, the Monti neighborhood (between Termini and the Colosseum) hosts a number of vintage clothing stores.
Some of these are specific in their wares (such as only vintage men’s clothes or only denim) and some are general.
As an American, I don’t like these stores as much. I’ve found them to have clothes that are hard to find in Italy (Levi jeans, plaid shirts, polo shirts, etc.) but easy to find in the US. However, becasue of the central location, I think this neighborhood deserves a visit when you’re passing through.
Plus, there are a number of bars, cafés, and restaurants in the area to re-fuel you if you start getting tired!
#4 The actual (and secret) best market
The best clothing market in Rome isn’t actually in Rome. I know, I know, this is cheating on a list of the “best clothing markets in Rome” but the simple fact is that the clothing markets in Rome have been picked over by packs of wild carrion before you’ll ever get there. I’m often one of those carrion.
In the small towns throughout Italy are weekly markets. Typically, these markets will have a few clothing stalls. The difference between these stalls and the ones in Rome are the fact that these stalls aren’t picked over for well-known brands, clothes that hold their resale value, or neat vintage clothes. More often than not, people from small towns will just buy clothing that looks good and fits, doesn’t matter the brand or the original cost.
In no particular order, at markets in small towns I have found a Fjallraven parka for $20, linen shirts for $1-$3 each, 100~ year old linen bedsheets for $5-$20 (even if you don’t use them as bedsheets, they’re great to make 100 year old clothes), handmade silk shirts (for Darcy), and tons of vintage, handmade dresses that no one seems to want.
Fitting a small town in to your week or two long trip to Italy isn’t the best idea, but if you’re looking at day trips from Rome and decide to explore Viterbo, Bracciano, or Ostia, coinciding your trip with their market day could lead to some great clothes.
Final thoughts
Most of what I’ve talked about is finding cool clothes, vintage brands, or even clothes that hold a high resell value (plenty of people come to Italy with an empty suitcase and leave with the suitcase filled up from used clothing markets).
However, one of the many problems we currently face as a people is the mounting piles of clothes that end up in landfills, oceans, or, apparently, deserts. Because that’s something we’re doing now.
Like everyone, I still buy new clothes. I’m 6'4 living in a country where the average height for men is 5'9. I rarely find pants that can fit me, even brand new in a store. (I wear an XXL in this country and a Medium in the States.) But for everything else, I’ve been trying to buy used.
Part of Only A Bag, our travel website/podcast is focused on sustainability. I think everyone who travels should have as much fun as possible, and if that includes going on shopping sprees, more power to you! But with the decline in variety from “big box” stores like H&M and Zara as they offer the same styles to North America and Europe, and the unfortunate truth so many of their clothes end up discarded in deserts, I think it’s important we shift our focus to buying used.
While it’s not a perfect solution, every little bit helps!
Nathaniel Mellor is a published short story writer and aspiring travel writer living in Italy with his partner, Darcy. He writes over at Only A Bag.