Udaipur
Udaipur has a traditional and unique craft of making bags, wallets, footwear, and accessories from camel leather. One of the best places to buy leather here is at the vibrant and buzzing Bada Bazaar. Prices are very reasonable to make one go on a spree. The market normally opens from 9.30 am till 5.30 pm. If you are short for time, Rajasthali is also a great one-stop shop to pick up leather items.
Florence
Top quality leather has been tanned and processed in Florence for centuries. Handbags, jackets, travel bags and accessories made of the finest leather are sown by skilled craftsmen who are heirs to a long-standing tradition. The Scuola del Cuoio, the world-renowned leather school, is located in Florence. You can pick up a souvenir in town but head to the less expensive outlet mall on the outskirts of the city where you will find great discounts on well-known brands like Gucci and Prada. In the city, visit the many small shops around the Santa Croce Church and the San Lorenzo market to find some exquisite leather items. Remember to brush up your bargaining skills to get every penny’s worth!
Barcelona
Leather goods have been one of Barcelona’s traditional specialties for ages and you will find many shops offering excellent bargains on leatherwear and shoes. Whether you buy your leather items from the oldest and best shop, Kostoria, near the Cathedral or at high-end stores like Loewe or from the leather hawkers on La Rambla, you are always assured good quality. Barcelona is renowned for its vibrant design culture and expertise in design.
The markets are normally open from 10 am to 8.30 pm, Monday through Saturday but do take a long break between 2 pm and 5 pm. However, this may differ from shop to shop. Some may decide to take Monday morning off or just have a longer siesta one afternoon but all this adds to the retro feel of Barcelona!
South Korea
South Korea’s Itaewon district is full of custom tailors and high fashion leather boutiques offering fabulous discounts. Bring your own design or go through umpteen catalogs and have a leather jacket or suit custom tailored within 24 hours! You will come across names of shops like Mama Bag, Baby Hunt and Friend Shop. These may sound funny but they are just literal translations from Korean to English! On the main street, you will also find plenty of vendors selling ready-made leather garments at throwaway prices. You can get branded stuff at way less than half price. Imitations of Prada, Louis Vuitton, and other famous brands are also available here so come well prepared with what you need to be customized so you don’t miss this fantastic chance!
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires leather district spans across three areas - Florida and Corrientes (in the downtown area), Murillo and Scalabrini Orbitz (near Palermo) and San Jose and Belgrano (in the neighborhood of Monserrat). You will see a wide variety of pricing and quality in leather so feel free to bargain and get the best deal. If you have foreign currency, it could be your trump card for further negotiation!
On the cheaper side, there is Villa Crespo wherein the street of Murillo is brimming with leather outlet stores. There are many outlet stores in the league of Lacoste and Penguin where you are sure to find great stuff.
So the next time you are visiting any of these places, don’t forget to indulge yourself in fashionable leather products that catch your fancy!