A visit to Florence is not complete without taking a stroll through the leather stalls that surround the central produce market in San Lorenzo. The vendors may be a little pushy, but they also sell some amazing leather souvenirs that make for durable, special gifts. Just be sure to shop with a budget in mind; despite the lower prices, quality leather is not cheap.

The best way to avoid being ripped off is to stick with the small, quality boutiques in town where you will be assisted by employees who are passionate about the leather they carry. They are not the place to haggle and they will likely not have a discount rack, but they are the best guarantee of an authentic leather bag or jacket.

For those interested in the artisanal side of leather, we recommend visiting Frau Leman (featured in our must-have Florence shopping app). Stephanie is obsessed with sustainability and only buys leather that has been cast off from high fashion houses so nothing goes to waste. She makes a wide variety of bags, belts and wallets that are truly unique, and she can often make a bag to order.

For those that want to take it one step further, check out the supple, feminine leather jackets at Casini, designed by Jannifer Tattanelli. Her designs are both romantic and classy, with a touch of the exotic that testifies to her dual Italian and American heritage. She also has a line of accessories that are made in Florence.florence leather bags