A Fashionista's Guide to Milan

Knowing where to start can be tricky so we’ve listed a few key shops, spaces and streets for those on the hunt for exciting, unusual or simply beautiful items.

Superstar designers

The city’s most famous boutiques and flagship stores are tucked into the Quadrilatero d’Oro the golden fashion rectangle that comprises the long parallel streets of via Montenapoleone and via della Spiga. This quadrant is home to superstar designers such as Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Missoni, Trussardi, Versace, Prada and Valentino. The elegant via Manzoni to the north is home to Spazio Armani at no. 31. In Giorgio Armani’s multi-concept store you can check out the Emporio Armani showrooms, Armani Casa and Armani Fiori, then stop for an aperitif at the Emporio Armani Cafè.

Back on via Montenapoleone you’ll find exquisite lingerie, nightdresses and baby layettes from another classic Milanese shop Ars Rosa.

Popular labels

For sophisticated labels that won’t drain your entire purse there are four important streets in Milan: Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Corso Buenos Aires, Via Torino and Corso di Porta Ticinese. Corso Vittorio Emanuele with Piazza San Babila, starts with the department store Rinascente, considered by some to be Italy's version of Harvey Nichols it is the country's oldest department store. You’ll find designer brands from around the world including Max Mara, Moreschi, Bruno Magli and Pollini, but also more popular labels such as H&M, Zara and Furla. There’s a fantastic view over the city's Duomo and piazza from the top floor, where you can stop for a drink.

More commercial is Corso Buenos Aires, one of the longest streets in Europe, which is home to stores including Timberland, Mandarina Duck, Benetton, Kookai and Nara Camice. Corso di Porta Ticinese, which becomes Via Torino, has a younger, more alternative vibe with stores including Diesel, Miss Sixteen, Gas and Fornarina standing alongside second-hand clothes shops, stores with quirky home ware products, handmade items and accessories. On Via Torino you’ll find Camper and Energy.

Flea Market in Navigli

Vintage and offbeat styles

For up-and-coming designers and offbeat styles, jump on the metro to Garibaldi. 10 Corso Como is a cool mix of fashion, art gallery, bookshop and café, while Cavalli e Nastri on via Brera stocks well-preserved vintage clothing, bags and jewellery from the 1950s and 1960s. Expect to find pristine condition Hermes silk shirts, spectacular YSL maxi-skirts and designer jewellery.

If you’re looking for something unusual head to Understate (Viale Francesco Crispi), a favourite of Milan’s creative community for its unique design products.

Design and home ware

Many state-of-the-art furniture and home ware showrooms cluster in three areas: the top end of via Manzoni; the parallel streets of via Durini and via Cerva just south of San Babila church; and the Brera-via Solferino axis.

On one of Milan's most fashionable streets Corso Venezia you’ll find De Padova, a space dedicated to the very best in contemporary design encompassing both furniture and accessories.

Spazio Rossana Orlandi sells a wealth of home products selected by internationally renowned Orlandi and sourced from emerging designers from across the world. Take time to visit the gallery and finish up with a cup of tea in the beautiful courtyard garden.

A stone’s throw from Brera, in via Moscova you’ll find Artform the go-to shop for distinctive table wares and home décor.

Basics and bargains

For deeply discounted labels, hit the city’s outlet centres. Try the outlets around the Corso Vittorio Emanuele II. Be prepared to elbow your way through rack after rack of cut-price catwalk fashions to find the best bargains.

Among Milan's best known and longest established outlets is Il Salvagente ('the lifesaver'), which has three floors of goods for men and women. For children there’s a separate location called Salvagente Bimbi.

Bargains can also be found at discount outlets with more central locations. Try Dmagazine Outlet wedged between the full-price stores on Via Montenapoleone.

Basement (Via Senato) housed, as the name suggests, in a cellar, is for women's fashion only. It caters to a more upmarket shopper and offers price slashes of 50-70 per cent on brands including Dolce & Gabbana, Prada and YSL.

Plan your getaway with a 24 hour guide written by Milan local Kathryn Tomasetti. If flying from the UK, London City Airport will get you to Italy’s style capital in less than 2 hours.