Top Marches

There are very few people who can resist a beautiful pair of shoes, especially when those shoes are Made in Italy.
If you've got a thing about shoes and, in particular, about Italian shoes, you won't want to miss a trip to the outlets in Marche.
Shoe shopping heaven is located between the provinces of Macerata and Ascoli Piceno, an area which represents the heart of the Italian footwear industry.
Shoe making in Marche is concentrated around the towns of Montegranaro, where there are several companies producing footwear for men; Monte Urano, which specializes in children's shoes; and Civitanova Marche, Porto Sant 'Elpidio and Sant'Elpidio a Mare, where the largest number of manufacturers of women's shoes is concentrated.
Discounts in outlets usually range from 30% to 50% although during the sales, even large reductions are granted.

Babes and bikers

If you've only got time for a one-stop shop, you'll love the Zeis - Docksteps Factory Store, where, in addition to designer footwear by Docksteps, you'll find shoes by Barten & Son's, Bikkemberg, Marrel, Miss.D. Pirelli and Sonora too.

Zeis-Docksteps Factory Store

via Alpi 126 128 Zona Ind Montegranaro (FM)
Tel: +39 0734 891435

Still in the town of Montegranaro, there's the Alberto Guardiani outlet, brimming with the elegant creations which have made the designer famous.

Alberto Guardiani Spaccio aziendale

via Alpi 320 Zona Ind. Montegranaro (FM)

For those who can't resist the biker-look or for shoe addicts wanting to be forgiven by the boyfriend they've dragged around the shops for hours, there's the Harley Davidson outlet, the perfect place in which to pick up a pair of boots or an item of clothing emblazoned with the legendary label.

Harley Davidson Motor Cycles Outlet

via Alpi 133/135 Zona Ind. Montegranaro (FM)
Tel: +39 0736 - 8991

Sant'Elpidio a Mare: from Tod's to Prada, in just a few steps

If you have more expensive tastes still, the journey to Porto Sant'Elpidio and Sant Elpidio a Mare is an absolute must.
Tod's, in Sant'Elpidio a Mare, in the district of Casette d'Ete, is tantamount to shoe lovers' paradise. The outlet is located in a wing of the factory which also produces the Hogan, Fay and Roger Vivier brands. Diego Della Valle's empire, an ultra-modern construction in steel and glass, extends over an area of 25.000sqm. The outlet has its own independent entrance, car park and bar. As well as shoes, the outlet sells bags and clothing too.

Tod's Outlet

via Filippo della Valle 1 - Casette D'Ete - Sant'Elpidio a Mare
Tel. +39 0734-871671
Opening hours: from Monday to Saturday 10-19.30

Within meters of Tod's, there is another unmissable outlet stocking Prada, Pollini, Debut, Samsonite and Fratelli Rossetti:

Il Castagno

via Mostrapiedi II° - Casette D'Ete - Sant'Elpidio a Mare
Tel: +39 0734 666066
Opening hours: closed Monday morning, Saturday and Sunday

Other outlets in the area include that of the cult brand Le Silla, famous for its super-trendy footwear for women and girls. The more sophisticated shoe shopper will want to call into the Roberto Botticelli Outlet, which has collections for both ladies and gentlemen.

Le Silla Outlet
Via S. Crispino 37 - Sant'Elpidio a Mare
Tel: +39 0734.818924

Roberto Botticelli Outlet
strada provinciale Brancadoro - Sant'Elpidio a Mare
Tel: +39 0734.861022

Generation fashion

The hunt for heels continues as we head to Civitanova Marche and a series of stores selling some of the coolest brands on the Italian shoe scene. The first is that of Cesare Paciotti, the designer who has conquered fashionistas the world-over with his Cesare Paciotti Heroes, and 4Us collections.

Outlet Cesare Paciotti

Via Pirelli 16 - Zona Industriale A - Civitanova Marche
Tel: +39 0733 890427

Younger customers will find fun and funky shoes by Fornarina in these two stores

Fornarina Factory Store

Viale Matteotti 160 - Civitanova Marche
Tel: +39 0733 775285

Fornarina Outlet

via Pirelli Zona Industriale A Civitanova Marche

or, alternatively, they can treat their tootsies to trendy footwear by Combo, Nolita, Paul Frank, Converse or Franklin&Marshall

Outlet Combo

via Einaudi 218 - Civitanova Marche

Tailormade in Marche

Shopaholics busy scouting out discounted high street brands, might easily miss out on the kind of shoes that Marche is famous throughout the world for: artisan made footwear like that on display in Civitanova's Santoni store. Having started out producing classic men's shoes, Santoni has now branched out into the world of women's and children's footwear. You can purchase Santoni's creations at discounted prices in the factory outlet, opposite the A14 motorway exit.

Santoni

Via Enrico Mattei, 59
62014 Corridonia (Macerata)

If after all that shopping, you still have legs to stand on, use them to explore Fermo, one of the most beautiful towns in the area and famous for its gorgeous gothic cathedral, splendid Roman baths and the Pinacoteca, where Rubens' Adoration of the Shepherds is displayed.