Leather - Rome vs Istanbul

Hi all,

I'm thinking of getting a leather jacket and will be visiting Rome and Istanbul this year. Was originally hoping to get one in Rome but then read that Istanbul has lots of leather stuff at the Grand Bazaar too (apparently thanks to all the goats and sheep slaughtered for their diet there).

How does price, quality and style differ between what is available in the two places? It's not like I must get one, just thinking of it. How much should I be looking to pay in Rome?

Thanks, Z

Turkey will be cheaper, Rome might have the better quality.

If you buy in Rome it will probably be "made in Turkey" anyway, but the dealers in Rome know they can only sell the best quality in Italy, so they take the high quality pieces, bring them to Rome and let the Turkish sell the rest in their own country.

So you can get a good bargain in Turkey, but watch the quality as the range is from utter crap to very good. Note that you can find leather bargains not only in Istanbul, but also along the tourist strip at the coast (Izmir, Antalya).

Other great countries for leather bargains are Tunisia and Morocco.

Thanks so much for the info! Will try my luck in Rome due to a change of plans, may not be able to hit Turkey this year

be sure to se the aquaduct and Forum! Do the tour!

Had Black Widow beer from the Ship Inn!

I'm planning to do a walking tour of the Forum area by Context Travel, hopefully it'll be worth it!

Black widow beer? Sounds odd...