Milan, the capital of the Lombardy region, is considered one of the world's leading fashion and shopping capitals. In order not to get lost among an infinite number of designer houses, boutiques and shopping centers, Blogoitaliano decided to write a separate post about shopping in Milan for everyone who goes shopping in Italy with the secret purpose of updating their wardrobe.
Now Milan is rightfully part of the Big Four (Paris, Milan, New York, Tokyo), setting the tone in fashion and dictating the rules of good taste to the rest of the world.
A bit of history
The history of the enviable position of the city goes back to the 19th century. Even then, the rapid development of the textile industry in Milan gave impetus to the emergence of a new approach to the production of clothing, the main leitmotif of which was the emphasis on quality, convenience and simplicity.
The turning point in the Italian fashion was the post-war period, when Italian designers began to rapidly gain momentum, crowding the French that set the tone earlier.
The Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery houses the most expensive boutiques in Milan
But the official birthday of Italian fashion is considered to be February 1951. In those days, the Florentine Giovanni Giorgini organized the first "fashion show", the purpose of which was to attract the attention of the press and foreigners involved in the wholesale purchase of model products created by Italian designers.
The fashion show caused a real stir in the press, which created a kind of advertisement for Italian clothes overseas.
In the 70s and 80s of the XX century, Milan became one of the recognized legislators in the fashion world, and the changeable 90s and 2000s only secured him the status of the Fashion Capital. The city has achieved special recognition in the direction of ready-to-wear - models of ready-made clothes for every day - characterized by constant quality and reasonable price.
Shopping in Milan: what to buy
Of course, shopping in Milan means, first of all, clothes, shoes and accessories. But they’re going to Milan not only for this. Housewares - bedding, dishes, etc., brought from Rome, Florence or Milan, will also be wonderful gifts or a great memory of being in Italy for “your beloved”.
Shopping in Milan is unthinkable without food. The famous ham, Parmesan cheese and, of course, Italian olive oil are just a small fraction of what you should pay attention to. We must not be silent about Italian alcohol, which we have already dwelled on in detail in the post of 5 alcoholic souvenir ideas for travelers.
Expensive shopping in Milan
Cheese and wine is, of course, good, but if shopping is for you exclusive designer items, then you have a direct road to the Gallery Vittorio Emanuele II or the Golden Black Square (or, as it is also called the “fashion square”).
Gallery Vittorio Emanuele II
Gallery Vittorio Emanuele II - a huge passage in the shape of a cross with a glass roof - is the main shopping attraction in Milan. Its founder in 1867 was the Italian king himself - Victor Emmanuel II.
The easiest way to get to the Gallery is from the central city square - Piazza Duomo - and to end the shopping tour - on Piazza della Scala, where the world famous opera house and the monument to Leonardo da Vinci are located.
The trendy square houses world-famous designer houses
It is commonly believed that it is in Gallery Vittorio Emanuele II the most expensive boutiques are located and the most luxurious designer outfits are sold. In addition, the Gallery has one of the most expensive hotels in the world - the seven-star Town House Seven Stars Galleria, one night in which will cost 5 thousand euros.
For those for whom shopping at this shopping center is expensive and impossible, you can simply admire the beauty of the old building, taking a walk along the Passage late in the evening or at night, when the shops are already closed and onlookers a bit.
Gallery Address: Piazza del Duomo, Milan.
Opening hours of the shops in the Gallery Vittorio Emanuele II: 10:00 - 22:00
Golden Quadrangle of Milan
The Golden Quadrangle got its name thanks to the square formed by the shopping streets of Via Della Spiga, Via Monzani, Via Sant'Andrea and Via Montenapoleone. It is here that such world-famous boutiques are located as Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Versace, Prada, Valentino, Missoni, Trussardi, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Armani, etc.
In addition, in the Golden Quadrangle of Milan you can order shoes from Tanino Krisha or visit jewelry stores of famous brand designers Pagano, Bulgari and Tiffany, as well as dine in the expensive luxury restaurant "Bice".
Contact Oksana - Milan Guide from this video: email protected
How to get to the Golden Quadrangle
- On foot, if you move from the central square of Piazza Duomo. The route takes no more than 10 minutes of leisurely walking;
- By metro, if you go to the stations San Babila or Montenapoleone, between which is located one of the four streets of the "fashion square" - Montenapoleone.
Where else to go shopping
For those who are interested in more affordable prices, you can go to Corso Vittorio Emanuele Street, where Max Mara, H&M, Zara, Furla and The Rinascente department store are located, or Corso Buenos Aires with the brands Max & Co, Luisa Spagnoli, Benetton, Kookai, Timberland, Mandarina Duck.
Casual fans can satisfy their interest on Via Torino, south of the Duomo, but the widevintage clothing selection can be found at the Lipstick vintage store located at Corso Garibaldi.
Youth shopping in Milan is associated with the street with Corso di Porta Ticinese
An interesting fact is that the Lipstick vintage store is also a real fashion museum: on the ground floor, collections of clothes and accessories from Armani, Chanel, and Yves Saint are sold, and on the second there is an entire exposition of historical costumes of the 19th century.
Youth Shopping in Milan most associated with Corso di Porta Ticinese, where brands such as Miss Sixty, Diesel or Gas have settled. Here, fans of outrageous clothes will surely find something thanks to the numerous boutiques of young experimenting designers.
As for shopping for antiques and accessories in Milanthen the latter are widely represented on via Brera and adjacent via Madonnina.
More shopping ideas in Milan can be found in our other shopping articles:
