Italist vs. Farfetch: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Italist is a luxury platform that offers authentic designer items, particularly from Italian and European brands, at discounted prices by sourcing directly from Italian boutiques. In contrast, Farfetch operates as a massive global marketplace, connecting shoppers with thousands of boutiques and brands for a vastly larger selection that includes full-price items, streetwear, and exclusive collaborations.

Let's compare these two luxury retailers to help you decide which is right for your next purchase.

Italist: Authentic Luxury for Less

Italist offers a unique proposition: access to authentic, in-season luxury fashion at Italian retail prices, which are often significantly lower than prices in other parts of the world. By partnering directly with a curated network of over 250 high-end Italian boutiques, the platform gives global shoppers access to over 1,500 brands without the international markup. This makes it a primary destination for savvy buyers who know what they want and are seeking the best possible price on current-season items.

• Product mix: A curated selection of high-end Italian and European luxury brands such as Gucci, Prada, Valentino, and Saint Laurent. The inventory focuses on new clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories for men, women, and kids.
• Price point: The main advantage of Italist. Prices are often 20% to 60% lower than standard retail in other regions because they reflect the local Italian price point. All prices shown include express shipping and import duties, eliminating surprise fees at checkout.
• Authenticity: All products are guaranteed to be 100% genuine and new, sourced directly from brick-and-mortar luxury boutiques in Italy.
• Website Experience: The site is clean, straightforward, and focused on the transaction. It's easy to browse by brand or category to find specific items at a discount.
• Shipping: Offers global express shipping, and the all-inclusive pricing model means duties and taxes are calculated upfront, so the price you see is the price you pay.
• Return policy: A 14-day return policy is available, though it's important to check the terms as the customer typically covers the return shipping costs.

Italist is the ideal choice for shoppers seeking new, in-season luxury from top European brands at a significant discount with price transparency.

Shop Italist: italist.com

Farfetch: The Global Luxury Marketplace

Farfetch is an enormous online marketplace that connects shoppers with an extensive network of luxury boutiques, brands, and department stores from over 50 countries. Its strength lies in its incredible variety and scale, offering everything from iconic luxury houses to avant-garde emerging designers. Farfetch delivers a premium, discovery-focused shopping experience with editorial content, curated selections, and unmatched access to items you likely won't find anywhere else.

• Product mix: An almost unparalleled selection from over 1,400 global brands. In addition to major names, Farfetch carries a deep inventory of emerging designers, exclusive capsules, streetwear, fine jewelry, and even a pre-owned/vintage section.
• Price point: Prices are generally set at standard retail, reflecting the cost in the partner boutique's location. While full-price focused, Farfetch operates large seasonal sales with significant discounts.
• Authenticity: Products are guaranteed authentic and are shipped directly from vetted partner boutiques, department stores, or the brands themselves.
• Website Experience: Polished, modern, and immersive. The platform encourages exploration with personalized recommendations, curated edits, and style guides. It feels like a high-end digital magazine that you can shop.
• Shipping: Ships globally to over 190 countries. Many items come with flexible, and often free, local returns, controlled by Farfetch's centralized customer service.
• Sustainability: The "Positively Farfetch" initiative highlights brands and products that meet specific criteria for environmental and ethical responsibility, helping shoppers make more conscious purchasing decisions.

Farfetch offers an unmatched selection and a premium shopping experience, making it perfect for finding unique pieces from a global inventory.

Shop Farfetch: farfetch.com

Italist vs. Farfetch Comparison

Price & Value

There's a clear difference in pricing models. Italist is built on offering consistently lower prices - often 30-40% below what you'd see elsewhere - on new, in-season items. This value is baked into its business model of providing Italian retail pricing to a global audience. Plus, with duties included, the price is final and often unbeatable.

Farfetch is primarily a full-price retailer where items are sold at their standard retail value. However, its end-of-season sales can be massive, with discounts sometimes exceeding 50-70%. The value on Farfetch comes from its vast selection and the chance to score a serious bargain during sale season, whereas Italist offers consistent, year-round savings.

Product Selection & Brands

Farfetch is the undisputed winner when it comes to the sheer breadth of its selection. With over 1,400 brands from boutiques across the globe, it offers an incredible range of styles, from runway looks to streetwear, emerging designers, and exclusive capsules. If you're looking for something specific, a rare size, or just want to discover new labels, Farfetch is unparalleled.

Italist has a more focused inventory, concentrating on well-established Italian and European luxury powerhouses. While its selection is expansive and includes top-tier brands, it can't match the pure volume and designer diversity offered by Farfetch. Italist is for finding a great deal on a known brand, while Farfetch is for global exploration.

Shopping Experience

These two platforms cater to different shopping styles. Italist is direct and transactional. The interface is clean and simple, designed to help you find an item and see its price savings quickly. The all-inclusive pricing model makes checkout fast and transparent.

Farfetch provides a more immersive, editorial-driven experience. Its website and app feature curated edits, style advice, and personalized recommendations. It encourages discovery and browsing, making it feel less like a store and more like a high-fashion destination.

Authenticity

Both Italist and Farfetch guarantee 100% authenticity, and shoppers can buy from either with complete confidence. They are two of the most reputable players in the online luxury space. Italist’s promise is backed by its tight-knit network of authorized Italian boutiques. Farfetch’s guarantee comes from its rigorous vetting process for a massive global network of partners and direct brand relationships. The risk of receiving a non-authentic item from either is virtually non-existent.

Sustainability & Ethics

Farfetch has made sustainability a key part of its brand identity through its "Positively Farfetch" program. This initiative promotes conscious brands, highlights sustainable materials, and powers services like a donation program and a pre-owned marketplace. For shoppers who prioritize environmental and ethical considerations, Farfetch makes it easy to find brands that align with their values.

While Italist’s model of selling existing boutique inventory is inherently efficient, the company does not highlight sustainability in the same way. The focus remains squarely on price, authenticity, and access to Italian luxury.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right platform truly depends on what sort of shopper you are and what your priorities are.

Choose Italist if:

• Your primary goal is getting the best price on a new, in-season luxury item.
• You mainly shop for major Italian and European designers like Bottega Veneta, Dolce & Gabbana, or Fendi.
• You appreciate a simple, no-fuss shopping experience and want all duties included upfront.
• You know what you're looking for and don't need editorial content to guide you.

Choose Farfetch if:

• You prioritize selection above all and want access to the largest possible global inventory.
• You love discovering new and emerging designers alongside established luxury names.
• You are searching for an exclusive collaboration or a unique, hard-to-find piece.
• Ethical and sustainable shopping options are important to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Italist or Farfetch cheaper?

Italist is generally cheaper for everyday, in-season luxury items because its pricing is based on the lower Italian retail standard. Farfetch can sometimes be cheaper during its major end-of-season sales, where discounts can be extremely deep.

Are Italist and Farfetch legit and authentic?

Yes, both are completely legitimate and guarantee 100% authenticity. They are leading online luxury retailers that source products directly from authorized boutiques and brands.

Which has a better product selection?

Farfetch has a vastly larger and more diverse selection. It connects to boutiques globally and carries over 1,400 brands, including many niche and emerging designers that you won't find on Italist.

Does Italist sell used items?

No, Italist only sells new, authentic items from the current and recent seasons, sourced from its network of Italian luxury retail boutiques.

What's the catch with Italist's pricing?

There is no "catch." The lower prices are a direct result of Italist giving global customers access to Italian retail pricing, which does not include the standard markups found in the U.S., Asia, and other international markets. The price you see includes import duties, so it's transparent.

Which online store is better for finding emerging designers?

Farfetch is much better for discovering new and emerging designers. Its marketplace model thrives on offering a platform to hundreds of smaller, avant-garde brands from around the world.

Do prices on Italist and Farfetch include import duties?

On Italist, prices are always displayed with duties and taxes included for full transparency. On Farfetch, it depends on the item's origin and your shipping destination, some orders have duties included at checkout, while for others, they may be payable upon delivery.

Which platform has a better return policy?

Farfetch generally offers a more streamlined and flexible return process, often including free return pickups in many regions. Italist accepts returns within 14 days, but the shopper is typically responsible for the return shipping costs, which can be expensive for international shipments.