Outlet shopping Tuscany

Will they have the particular things I am looking for? Outlet shopping is hit and miss. You could be unlucky big time, you might not find a thing to buy,you might find something you'd never thought of. Nothing is certain. Even the staff at the outlet cannot be sure from day to day what stock they will have.
Can certain things be sent to me? Sending this type of merchandise abroad would breach all trade agreements and undercut the flagship stores. If you want outlet prices, you must make the effort to go to the outlet.
Will the staff at the outlets speak English ? Yes, they will also know all international sizing.
For outlet shopping, which is the most convenient airport to fly into ? The closest airports to the Prada and Gucci out lets are, in order; Florence, Pisa, Rome.
Can I get there by public transport ? Getting around by public transport is possible but not optimum. Take a train from Florence or Arezzo to Montevarchi. From there take a taxi to the outlets. You may want to ask it to wait for you whilst you shop or arrange for the same taxi to return for you at a fixed time as the outlets are all in quite remote areas. 
Is a decent hotel near by to stay in and for a reasonable price?
We do not have hotels in area of the outlets on our books and so cannot personally recommend anything. If your goal is to outlet shop you could just arrive in the area and ask the locals where to stay - as it is not a tourist area you should find something. The outlets are about 30 minutes from Florence by car.
When is the best time to arrive ? It is best to arrive at Prada before it opens at about 9.00. At the door you take a ticket and then retire to the very chic bar/café next door, which has an electronic number counter to let you know when it's your turn. The choicest items are always there first thing and go quickly. Keep your ticket. Anything you think you might want to buy you can give to a sales assistant who will store it for you whilst you rampage on to the next discovery, at the end you have a second chance to re look at everything calmly and make your final selection. Do not bother going on weekends, public holidays or during the peak sale periods (when the best old stock is sent to the stores). As with all outlets, it can be hit or miss, some times you will be lucky and other times you will not find anything worth buying. At Prada 9 times out of 10 you will be stuck for choice 1 time you won't find a thing to buy, it depends on luck. At Gucci it is the reverse but that one time you are unlucky you will be so big time. Gucci never has lines/queues for this reason and so visit Prada first and then Gucci.
What about the sales in regular stores ? During sale periods (Early January and early July onwards) the bargains in the stores are almost as good as in the outlets. The outlets never have sales.
What about outlets in other parts of Italy ? We have visited very good outlets near to lake Como (Armani, Fendi, Iceburg) and Lago Maggiore (mainly pottery, china and kitchen ware)and in Legnano (mainly shoes, Fratelli Rosetti etc.) as it is far from us, we cannot give first hand information. The best idea is to check on before you leave or while at your To Tuscany villa.

The Mall now hosts the outlet shops up to 14 top brands: Agnona, Bottega Veneta, Emanuel Ungaro, Ermenegildo Zegna, Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Hogan, I Pinco Pallino, La Perla, Loro Piana, Marni, Salvatore Ferragamo, Sergio Rossi, Tod's, Valentino e Yves Saint Laurent.
The complex also includes a café restaurant.
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 10.00-19.00, Sun 15.00-19.00.
Closed on public holidays
How to get there:
By Road
From Milan: Take A1 motorway towards Florence/Rome and take the exit marked Incisa. Take the road on the right towards Pontassieve until reaching Leccio. Continue straight through Leccio and The Mall will be on the left.
From Rome: Take A1 motorway towards Florence and take the exit marked Incisa. Take the road on the right towards Pontassieve until reaching Leccio. Continue straight through Leccio and The Mall will be on the left.
By Train
Take the train from Florence's Santa Maria Novella station to Rignano sull'Arno and continue by taxi to Leccio (about 5 min).
Shuttle Bus and Public Transport
There is a daily service from Florence to and from The Mall. For information and reservations visitors can contact the information centre.

Tel: +39 055 8657 775
Web: http://www.themall.it

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 9.00 to 19.00. Sunday 15.00 to 19.00. Please call ahead to check opening hours as they are subject to sudden changes.
How to get there:
From Milan – Take the A1 Motorway towards Florence/Rome.
From Rome: Take the A1 Motorway towards Florence.
Exit the A1 at Incisa and turn right. Follow the SS69. Look for a brown and Yellow sign for  D&G on the Left. The address' are as they appear on the business cards of these out lets. To get to Gucci, continue past the turn for D&G on the SS69 until you see a sleek white square building with a sign 'CAFE'.
Address: Località S. Maria Maddalena, 49
Pian dell’Isola Rignano Sull’Arno (FI)
Tel: +39 055 833 1300

Opening hours : from Monday to Saturday 10.30 till 19.30. Sunday 10.30 to 18.30. Please call ahead to check opening hours as they are subject to sudden changes. Saturday is the busiest day. Admission is possible until 1/2 an hour before closing time.
How to get there:
Take the A1 autostrada - Exit 'Valdarno', then continue on the SS 69 towards arezzo. Pass through Montevarchi and 'Località levanella' after the village pass a gas station and then follow signs for Lo Spaccio in the 'Zona Industriale' on the left. The outlet is in the back of the main factory complex. It is a big low lying factory on your left. Do not hesitate to show local people the address to get a direction as it is hard to find.
Address: Località Levanella, SS 69
52025 Montevarchi (AR)

Surrounded by the lovely scenery of Mugello just 30 minutes from Florence, Barberino Designer Outlet is the perfect shopping destination if you are a real fashionista!
Designed to resemble the style of Renaissance villas in the midst of luxuriant greenery, its contemporary stores, home to national and international brands, line the banks of the River Sieve and are connected by picturesque wooden footbridges. Shop 200 of the most luxurious designer fashion brands, including must-have fashion labels Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Class Roberto Vavalli, Furla, Blumarine, Borbonese and many more – all at 30-70% less.
Barberino Designer Outlet offers exclusive services such as tax-free shopping for international visitors, daily shuttle bus from Florence, traditional Tuscan restaurants and children’s playground.

How to get there:
From the A1 highway exit exit at Barberino del Mugello
Shuttle service daily from Florence train station.

Web: http://www.mcarthurglen.com/it/barberino-designer-outlet/en/

The most convenient outlet if you are planning to stay in the south of Siena or in Umbria. Not the flamboyant big brand as in Barberino Outlet Village or The Mall, but still a very good selection if you are looking for a casual look and housewares stores.

How to get there:
From the A1 highway exit at Valdichiana - Sinalunga - Bettolle S.P. 327
From the Siena – Perugia dual-lane carriageway exit at Bettolle
From both motorway exits you’ll find directions for the Valdichiana Outlet Village.
Shuttle service daily from Arezzo train station.
Web: http://www.valdichianaoutlet.it