travel in style: florence shopping with lynne hiriak

{Editor’s Note: While I’m off strolling down cobblestone streets, mainlining croissants and gelato, I’ve asked a few of my most stylish globetrotting friends to share what they’d be doing – and of course, what they’d be wearing – on a dream day abroad.} Florence shopping

When it comes to casual European chic, I can’t think of anyone who could do it better than Lynne Hiriak. A globetrotter extraordinaire, Lynne racks up more frequent flier miles in a year than I’ve accumulated in a lifetime. She’s also the creator of CARDIGAN New York, quite possibly my very favorite place for all things striped and cozy. As it turns out, she’s also an expert when it comes to shopping (and eating) her way through Florence, and her dream day is packed with hidden shops and locals-only restaurants I can’t wait to add to my to-do list. Lead on, Lynne!

What to Wear:

My ideal outfit in Florence starts with a good pair of sneakers. I do so much walking, heels are not even an option! I’ve always been into New Balance, and I love the preppy check lining on these. My APC navy cotton trench coat (similar here and here) is an oldie but a goodie. It’s layerable, yet thin enough to shove into a tote if I get too warm. Speaking of, I always need a lightweight, roomy tote to carry my shopping finds. I love traveling with white pants in Europe – they perk up any outfit! – so I’ll wear my favorite white skinny jeans from Frame Denim. And of course, a striped sweater from CARDIGAN!

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What to Do:

Wake up and have a cappuccino at the classic Piazza Della Repubblica. It’s touristy but it’s fun to people watch- especially watching the locals go to work. I always love an early morning walk over the Ponte Vecchio. It’s touristy too, but not before the shops open.
Walk to the Mercato for an early lunch (I tend to squeeze in a few small lunches in a day…my main mission is to eat my way through Florence) and have a bollito sandwich at Nerbone. (I always forget which corner it is, but it’s the one with the long line at 11 am!) A bollito sandwich is essentially a super-tender roast beef sandwich with au jus, and amazing green sauce. If I’m feeling like a champ, I’ll have a glass of prosecco. Then, I’ll walk around the market and do some food shopping for Italian sea salt and dried mushrooms and spices.
Next, I’ll hop over to Aqua Flor, a beautiful perfumery near Santa Croce. It’s a hidden gem of a shop – not well known, but any Florentine with good taste knows them.
Time for another lunch! Procacci is my all-time favorite snack destination in the world. It really is. They have these tiny little tartufo sandwiches which are out of this world. I always have room for a few. Definitely have a glass of prosecco with these bad boys.
Walk to my favorite pharmacy, Farmacia Munstermann which is nearby. I always stock up on calendula cream for the next 6 months – it’s an amazing cold cream that is perfect for scrapes, burns, cuts and dry skin, and smells like cucumber.
I then walk across the bridge to my favorite sandal shop in the whole world, Francesco Da Firenze. If you’re lucky enough, Francesco will size up your foot, take your shoe order, and then invite you next door for a glass of vino!
Speaking of vino, after all that walking and shopping, I’ll head to Il Santino, which my good friends turned me onto. They make small plates of meats, cheeses, and special little plates of the day. It’s conveniently located right next to my sandal place. It’s tiny, charming and the people who work there are sooo warm and nice. A crisp glass of Franciacorta is perfect after being on your feet all day.
Then, it’s back to my hotel to rest for a few hours before I meet friends for dinner at Fuor D’acqua, an amazing seafood restaurant with the most wonderful crudo and spaghetti vongole. It’s a must every trip!