italist Review

About italist

Have you heard of Italist? Nosey people will say that it’s just a reseller of Italian brands, but they’d be wrong.

Not only is Italist often cheaper than resale sites, but their items are all brand new, seasonal and unused.

The products are sourced directly from the brands, and they are not cheap knock-offs. In the italist wardrobe you will find products from Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Brunello Cucinelli and more.

italist is also a great place to go for new styles and trends. CEO Diego Abba has dedicated a large part of the company’s plan to monitoring trends in order to provide customers with the products they are looking for. The online magazine also answers common questions about brands and styles. You are a fashion curator as well as a stylist.

But what does that mean for you? Well, it means that if you’re tired of being scammed by broccoli headed guys on Grailed, you should keep reading my Italist review. You’ll learn what they offer, what brands they carry, their unique features, get the inside scoop on their best-selling products, find out what customers think about them, and much more. Let’s talk about them.

italist is an online marketplace that offers luxury fashion items directly from Italian boutiques and retailers. While this has its advantages, it also has some disadvantages. Here are some highlights of using italist:

Highlights

  • Authentic luxury fashion: italist offers access to a large selection of authentic luxury fashion items from well-known luxury brands. Customers can find unique and exclusive pieces that are not readily available elsewhere.
  • Competitive prices: italist offers competitive prices on luxury goods and often offers discounts compared to traditional retail prices. This can be very appealing to fashion enthusiasts looking for high-quality items at affordable prices.
  • Wide selection: The platform offers a wide range of fashion products, including clothing, shoes, bags, accessories, jewelry, home goods and children’s clothing. It covers different tastes and styles and offers shoppers a wide range of options.
  • Direct access to boutiques: italist works directly with Italian boutiques and allows customers to shop directly with them. This provides a more personalized shopping experience and promotes local businesses.
  • Worldwide express shipping: italist offers fast 4-day shipping for every order, making it accessible to customers from different countries. This is beneficial for international customers who do not have access to certain Italian brands in their local markets.
  • App support: italist has an app in the iOS and Google Play stores that allows customers to shop, create wish lists and view new products on their mobile devices.

Why You Should Trust Us

Our goal is to help you make better, more informed buying decisions.

Our team spends many hours researching, consulting with experts, getting expert opinions, customer feedback and analyzing products to provide you with the information you need.

Features

italist offers several features that set it apart from other online shopping platforms. Here are some unique features of shopping at italist:

  • Direct connection to Italian boutiques: italist allows customers to shop directly from Italian boutiques and retailers. This means you have access to a select range of authentic luxury fashion items from the best retailers in the world that may not be available from other online retailers.
  • Exclusive Italian brands: italist specializes in offering luxury fashion items from renowned Italian brands. It provides a platform for customers to discover and purchase exclusive Italian fashion that is difficult to find elsewhere.
  • Competitive prices: italist strives to offer competitive prices for luxury fashion items. Prices are often lower than traditional retail prices, making high-end fashion more affordable.
  • Worldwide shipping: italist offers worldwide shipping so that customers from different countries can shop and have their orders delivered internationally. This makes it very convenient for international customers who do not have access to Italian brands in their local markets.
  • Personalized shopping experience: italist’s direct connection with the boutiques allows for a personalized shopping experience. Customers can discover a wide selection of unique products and have the opportunity to discover lesser known Italian brands.
  • Fashion trends and insights: italist offers a dedicated blog section covering the latest fashion trends, styles and insights. This content provides added value to customers and helps them stay informed and inspired in the world of Italian fashion.

Brands

italist carries a large selection of luxury fashion brands, especially from Italy. Here are some examples of brands you can find on italist:

  • Gucci
  • Prada
  • Brunello Cucinelli
  • Golden Goose
  • Versace
  • Valentino
  • Dolce & Gabbana
  • Giorgio Armani
  • Fendi
  • Saint Laurent
  • Salvatore Ferragamo
  • Bottega Veneta
  • Marni
  • Missoni
  • Off-White
  • Balenciaga
  • Tod’s
  • Moncler
  • Moschino
  • Givenchy
  • Max Mara
  • Etro

note that this list is not exhaustive and that italist offers over 1,500 brands in various fashion categories. In addition, the availability of brands may change over time. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check directly on the italist website to get the most up-to-date list of brands they carry.

Types of Products

italist sells a wide range of luxury fashion products from various Italian boutiques and retailers, including the following:

  • Clothing: italist offers a diverse selection of clothing for men, women and children. This includes categories such as dresses, tops, shirts, pants, jeans, skirts, jackets, coats, sweaters and more.
  • Shoes: italist offers a wide selection of shoes, including sneakers, heels, sandals, boots, flats, loafers and sports shoes. Both men’s and women’s shoes are available.
  • Bags: italist offers a variety of luxury bags, including handbags, shoulder bags, shoppers, crossbody bags, backpacks, clutches and purses. These bags are available in different sizes, designs and materials.
  • Accessories: At italist, customers will find a wide range of accessories such as scarves, hats, belts, sunglasses, jewelry, watches, gloves and small leather goods. These accessories complement and enhance the overall look of the fashion.
  • Home décor: In addition to fashion, italist occasionally offers home accessories that are in line with the luxury aesthetic. These can include home accessories, furnishings and decorative items.
  • Children: Don’t forget the little ones! italist offers a range of designer and luxury children’s fashion for all their best moments and photos.

5 Best-Selling italist Products 

Featuring just six items in my Italist post feels like going to an all-you-can-eat sushi buffet only to order miso soup; there’s so much that’s left out. Still, the six best-selling items here represent some of the most popular brands on the platform.

italist Burberry Tb Elongated Shoulder Bag Review


This pale blue shoulder bag goes with most warm weather outfits as it’s not too bright and not too acidic. Its shape and material are rather tame, so you can pair it with your favorite closet pieces without clashing. The iconic Burberry Tb Elongated Shoulder Bag is made from 100% calfskin, has a metal clasp at the front and a detachable shoulder strap. It’s normally priced at $1,802, but you can grab it now for $1,309.

italist Balenciaga Runner Sneakers Review

The next item in my Italist review is my personal favorite. Balenciaga tends to go too crazy with their designs, but these Runners show that their restraint can yield beautiful results. The Italist Balenciaga Runner sneakers are made from a combination of nylon and mesh with a rubber sole.

They normally cost $971, but at italist you can get them now for $785.

italist Maison Margiela Wide Pants Review

Is there anything better than men in wide-legged pants? If you’re anything like me (i.e. with strong legs), then these pants are the reason you’re reading my Italist review. Slim, tasteful, comfortable and true to size – the Maison Margiela Wide Pants from Italist put all other big boy pants to shame. These linen and cotton pants are on sale for $561 (regular price is $735).

italist Off-White Suede Spongesole Clogs Review

We’re in the midst of a clog renaissance in 2023, and Off-White is trying to reclaim its place among the top streetwear brands with the iconic Off-White Suede Spongesole Clogs. They’re much more sophisticated than Off-White’s usual camp, with the orange and blue accents contrasting beautifully with the cork body. Plus, they look as comfortable as a hug from a teddy bear. Normally these clogs cost $690, but now you can get them for $430.

italist Brunello Cucinelli Polo Shirt Review

Finally, there’s the Italian Brunello Cucinelli polo shirt, which strikes the perfect balance between golf course aesthetics and brunch date vibes. It’s made from 100% cotton, has a slim fit and comes in a slightly bolder gray than your average gray.

The polo shirt is available in sizes Small to XL and is priced at $394 (regular price: $584).

Who Is italist For?

italist is aimed at people who are at home in the world of designer fashion and want to buy their high-quality Italian items directly from the brands. The site is not intended for people who want to buy a pair of Gucci pants for 20 dollars.

Alternatives

There is no company comparable to italist. Few companies source their items directly from Italian brands, and even when they do, they rarely have the prices and shipping terms of italist. Still, there are some brands that are worth checking out if you’re curious.

  • The Luxury Closet: The Luxury Closet is an online fashion marketplace that sells designer brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Cartier and Rolex for up to 70% off.
  • StockX: StockX is a safe place for buyers and sellers to communicate, exchange products and build a community around fashion and sneakers.
  • Back Market: Back Market is an online technology marketplace where users can sell phones, game consoles and more at prices that are fair to buyers and sellers.

italist Reviews: What Do Customers Think?

If you look at the customer reviews of Italist, you will notice that they are quite positive on various websites, especially compared to other providers. Here is a list of average customer reviews from various websites (as of June 2023)

  • Better Business Bureau: 4.8/5 stars based on more than 400 customer reviews
  • italist: 4.7/5 stars based on more than 2,300 customer feedbacks
  • Trust Pilot: 4.5/5 stars based on more than 2,700 customer feedbacks
  • Site Jabber: 4.3/5 stars based on more than 240 customer feedbacks

The only negative reviews on Italist concerned the returns process. Customers said that returns were expensive, that the refund was not worth the original price or that the procedure was a headache. In short, all the satisfied customers were those who did not have to initiate a return.

These italicized reviews made up only a small portion of the overall positive response the brand received. The majority of customer reviews read like this one from Trust Pilot:

“This was my first experience shopping on italist and I have to say it was excellent. I fell in love with a Ferragamo bag I saw in the store, but I thought I’d check italist before buying because I know they have the best prices on the market for designer goods. I’m glad I did because I ended up saving $500 and the bag was delivered in 2 days!”

The majority of shoppers praised italist for its excellent selection of items, fair prices and fast delivery. For the luxury shopper, it was considered one of the best resale sites around.

Here’s what another customer wrote in his italist review on Site Jabber. “I really like italist a lot. They have all the luxury brands you know and love, but at a (sometimes deep) discount. Louboutins? Yup. YSL? Versace? Burberry? Yep, yes and yes. I had a relatively small problem with an order and they responded within a couple of days and corrected it, even at the weekend. I am very happy with the support I have received from them. I will be coming back here regularly to do my fashion shopping.

Another aspect that was frequently mentioned in Italist’s reviews was the selection of rare items. Customers reported finding items that they couldn’t find anywhere else on italist, and usually at prices that were reduced compared to the prices they had seen for similar items.

I conclude this part of my review of italist with a final customer review from Better Business Bureau. “I would highly recommend italist. I’ve ordered two items from them so far (both of which I couldn’t get anywhere else at the time), with no problems and at great prices!”

Is italist Legit?

Normally I would scold a company for a substandard returns policy, but Italist is very open when it comes to returns, and for good reason. They source rare items directly from the supplier, so it’s easier for them (and the customer) if they can get the goods into the customer’s hands as quickly as possible. The price for this is the freight collect returns. So I would say that italist is perfectly legitimate.

Is italist Worth It?

When you shop at italist, you save a little money and get access to exclusive products directly from the best Italian fashion houses. If this appeals to you, then italist will be worth your while.

italist Promotions & Discounts 

If you sign up for italist’s newsletter, you have the chance to win a shopping spree worth $1,000. There’s also a selection of items up to 60% off on the italist website for you to browse.

Where To Buy italist

All the products included in this Italist review and more can be found on the brand’s website, www.italist.com. You can also shop via the app in the iOS and Google Play stores.

FAQ

Who is the owner of italist?
Diego Abba is the CEO of italist, while Raffaele Giovine was one of the founders of the brand.

Where does italist deliver to?
italist can deliver to most countries around the globe, including all parts of the Americas, most countries in Europe, some Asian and African countries and Australia.

What is italist’s shipping policy?
italist ships all orders by express delivery only. Shipping is free, but for customers outside the European Union, import or customs fees may apply depending on local regulations.

In the US, you will only pay customs duties if you import goods from abroad that are worth 800 dollars or more per day.

What is italist’s return policy?
Italist emphasizes that returns are not free of charge. They write: “You are responsible for shipping costs, customs fees estimated at the time of refund, handling fees set by Italist and/or courier fees.” You must use a courier service for the return that is also available in Italy, in most countries this is DHL.

How to contact Italist
Italist review
If you have read my entire Italist review and still have questions, please contact Italist directly by email: customercare@italist.com.

Jane Horton is a passionate content writer who explores the world of fashion, brands, lifestyle, and beyond with creative flair. Read more of her work at TheBrandReviewed.