Shopping: Summer Market Trends

Every season brings changes to the Stresa Friday market, and we can always count on the market vendors to have their fingers right on the pulse of what the shoppers are looking for. So now that summer has begun, what trends am I spotting?

In women's fashion, the two materials I am seeing everywhere are gauze and lace. Lace overlaying gauze. Gauze overlaying lace. Layers of gauze. Lace inserts. Usually monochromatic. Sometimes with soft flowers.

Scarves are ever-present, as always.

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The other unmissable trend this season is the use of very bright colors for leather items, handbags and shoes. Everything from bright primary colors to these in-between jewel tones. Teal, fuscia, and bright mustard gold seem particularly popular.

The same colors seen in trendy trainers and suede walking shoes for men ...

...and for women, in sandals, loafers, moccasins, and sneakers.

And the trend continues for the bambini, because they too should be stylish of course. Not only in their clothes ...

 ... it even carries over to their toys, as seen in these large beach balls.

Getting away from colors for a moment, their are also several market stalls well-stocked with cycling clothes for all sizes. Cycling is very popular here, both road and off-road; nice to see you can pick up gear if you haven't come already prepared.

Lastly, there is all you need for the beaches, pools, or lakefront. In addition to the beach balls above there is a great selection of other pool toys and games, towels, chairs, sunglasses, hats, and flipflops. And what beach selection would be complete without some brightly flowered shirts and straw beach tote bags?

Or, for that matter, a gorgeous, large anguria, watermelon, to bring with you for a picnic?

 

 The market is open every Friday, all year, from about 8 am until 1 pm. It is located in Piazza Capucci, which is one of the municipal parking lots during the rest of the week. If you're searching for it on foot, from Piazza Cadorna, keep Cafe Torino on your left-hand side, walk past Cafe Torino on your left, continue straight down the narrow street, pass the pizza takeaway shop on your right, and just follow the crowds through the arch on your left into the market.