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Shelley Osterloh ReportingAs you remember from the winter games in Salt Lake, shopping for souvenirs can take on Olympic proportions. We sent our expert shopper, Shelley Osterloh, to see what's new in the world of official souvenirs.
The Olypmic superstore is a giant tent in the old part of downtown Torino. Northern Italians pride themselves in the fashion sense and style, and those who run the superstore say the new merchandise reflects that.
Brian: "The Italian fashion is just so up market."
He should know, he's helped run the super stores in Sydney and Salt Lake, where fashion was a bit on the conservative side.
Brian: "It was a great jacket, fantastic jacket but its not color, color, color, you know. This is your ski jacket. Here the fashion is just right in there, right in your face. It's whoa, look at that."
The clothing is nice, but pricey. But then again, all Olympic souvenirs are all "up market" until the last day of the games. Some of the sweaters cost several hundred dollars, but there 's plenty of t-shirts, sweats and fleece too.
Those funny little mascots are on anything from clothes to key chains and cups. Swatch is back in the Olympic business so there are collectable watches, and the earbag is making a comeback.
Brian: "There's a lot of things you've seen here before, lots of coffee mugs and houseware items. But this is new, it's the official Olympic ear flashlight. That's right a flashlight you wear in your ear."
If you caught the pin fever in 2002, you could warm up again here with pins that commemorate each sport, historic landmarks, and Torino's industry.
Italy is known for its fine chocolate so there is plenty of official chocolate for sale, but who would have thought officila olympic wine and champagne? Only in italy."
So far, there doesn't appear to be any one Italian "Must have" item like the 2002 beanie, but that may change.
