Travel

Milan travel guide: The best fashion addresses

A team from ELLE Italy chose the best shopping locations for your next trip to Milan.

by : Elle Canada- Jan 1st, 2013

milan-travel-guide-the-best-fashion-addresses-4

ELLE editors and their associate teams from ELLE Italy put together this list of the most fashionable destinations in Milan.

• Danda Santini – Editor-in-Chief of ELLE Italy

• Eugenio Gallavotti – Deputy Editor of ELLE Italy

Fashion Team
• Alberto Zanoletti – Fashion Director of ELLE Italy
• Benedetta dell’Orto – Deputy Fashion Director of ELLE Italy

Beauty & Lifestyle Team
• Sabrina Bottone – Beauty Director of ELLE Italy
• Fiona Diwan – Lifestyle contributor of ELLE Italy

Features Team
• Luisa Simonetto – Senior Features Editor of ELLE Italy
• Adriana di Lello – Deputy Fashion Director of ELLE Italy
• Silvia Locatelli – Features Editor of ELLE Italy
• Benedetta dell’Orto – Deputy Fashion Director of ELLE Italy

Nightlife Team
• Luca Lanzoni – Web Editor of ELLE Italy
• Anita Sciacca – Lifestyle contributor of ELLE Italy
• Marta Saladino – Features journalist of ELLE Italy
• Micaela Tenace – Features journalist of ELLE Italy

CLOTHES

BANNER
Via Sant’Andrea 8a, 20121 Milan
39 02 76 00 46 09
biffiboutiques.com
€€€€
A beautiful two-level multi-brand store nestled in the heart of the Quadrilaterro della Moda, where the incredibly helpful and talented staff pick out the finest in both established and new fashion designers from Italy and the rest of the international fashion capitals. A true haven for amazing clothes.
FET: “The place with the best selection of big brand names and innovative ones which take into account how wearable and elegant a piece of clothing must be. A very Milanese attitude towards fashion."
DS: “A refined selection of up and coming brands which is always very interesting.”

The top looks from MILAN FASHION WEEK

BOULE DE NEIGE
Corso Como, 3 and 8, 20154 Milan
39 02 62 91 07 77
bouledeneige.it
€€€€
The shop carries a wide range of Asian brands and its own creations, of course. This is THE place to go to if you’re looking for something edgy and trendy.
BT: “Twin shops featuring their own collection (famous for their cocktail dresses) and a selection of avant-garde brands.”

WAIT AND SEE
Via Santa Marta 14, 20123 Milan
39 02 72 08 01 95
waitandsee.it
€€€€
This shop is absolutely heaven for any shopping addict, and a wonderful address to keep in mind when looking for a gift. There are so many things to choose from: clothes, toys, decorative items, you’ll surely leave with a shopping bag or two in your hands…
FT: “For the incredible choice of foreign brands.”

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WOK STORE
Viale Col di Lana, 5a, 20136 Milan
39 02 89 82 97 00
wok-store.com
€€€€
This shop may seem small, but you’ll be surprised by the new and exclusive brands it carries. A fantastic place for discovering avant-garde designers.
NT: “Innovation is the keyword for this mall located near the Navigli. You will find avant-garde brands there such as Henrik Vibskov, Ksubi and Opening Ceremony.”

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Outside of Corto Moltedo

HANDBAGS

ANTONIA
Via Pontevetero 1 angolo via Cusani, 20121 Milan
39 02 869983403
antonia.it
€€€€
Haute Hippie, Proenza Schouler, Louboutin… Antonia is an upscale mutli-brand store where you’ll find all the latest trends from international brands. Everything is so perfectly organized, it’s a real pleasure to shop.
FET: “The best selection of IT bags in their most unusual versions.”

CORTO MOLTEDO
Via S. Spirito, 14, 20121 Milan
39 02 36 68 37 13
corto.com
€€€€
This place is simply heaven for any clutch addict. You’ll be sure to find the perfect one, as they carry an array of different colours and fabrics in incredible and innovative designs and styles, from very edgy to classic with a perfect twist. An essential for Italian fashionistas.
FT: “For the bags with a rock and roll twist. At the end of the day, they are very prestigious accessories.”

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LA RINASCENTE
Via Santa Redegonda, 3, 20121 Milano
39 02 88 521
rinascente.it
€€€€
This huge department store is packed with a great selection of designer pieces ranging from clothes, shoes, accessories, beauty, home decoration, even gourmet goods and everything else you could imagine. Be sure not to skip the fabulous rooftop café overlooking the Duomo after the hours of shopping you’ll do there!
NT: “Stand after stand, you will find the best bags from all over the world.”

PRADA
Via della Spiga 18 / via Sant’Andrea, 23, 20121 Milan
39 02 780465
prada.com
€€€€
This Prada store only carries their accessories, shoes, cosmetics and handbags – everything but the clothes. A great spot for all Prada lovers when you just want to focus on the “extras”!
DS: “All the latest models, in every colour, all the exclusivities for the perfect Milanese style.”

SHOES

ANTONIA
Via Pontevetero 1 angolo via Cusani, 20121 Milan
39 02 869983403
antonia.it
€€€€
Haute Hippie, Proenza Schouler, Louboutin… Antonia is an upscale mutli-brand store where you’ll find all the latest trends from international brands. Everything is so perfectly organized; it’s a real pleasure to shop.
FT: “To be sure not to miss the latest trends.”

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IRIS
Via S. Andrea 10/A, 20121 Milan
39 02 79 99 88
irisshoes.com
€€€€
Some of the major upscale brands are reunited in this store, from Jil Sander, Chloé and Rochas to Proenza Schouler… With such an incredible selection (for both men and women), you might find yourself trying on just about everything!
FET: “The best shop to find the collections that are most popular amongst fashionistas: Chloe, Marc Jacobs, Rochas, Nina Ricci, See By Chloé, Marc by Marc and Jil Sander. To top it all, the customer service is excellent.”
DS: “Cool brands ranging from Marc Jacobs to Proenza Schouler.”
NT: “In the heart of the Quadrilatero della moda (Quandrangle of fashion), Iris is a boutique which is not very cheap but which offers the best selection of the coolest shoes of the season.”

MORE MILAN: The best STREET STYLE looks

PRADA
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, II 63/65, 20121 Milan
39 02 976979
prada.com
€€€€
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a sumptuous and historic passageway for this Prada store. Go if you want to buy something from the brand, but also if you just want to stroll in the Gallery, which is worth a trip alone.
BT: “A mandatory place for the Milanese a.o.c. (appellation of origin). And not only them. Aside from the shoe collection, you will experience a full immersion in the beautiful atmosphere of a historical shop.”

Find the best vintage shops in Milan on the next page…

The window display at Elio Ferraro

VINTAGE

CAVALLI E NASTRI
Via Giacomo Mora 3 & 12, 20121 Milano and Via Brera 2, 20121 Milan
39 02 0289409452
cavallienastri.com
€€€€
This shop will satisfy every vintage addict with their amazing collection of clothes, shoes, accessories and even some home decoration. And with a very friendly staff, you won’t see the time fly by here.
FET: “An optimal selection of real vintage pieces (from Chanel to YSL), for both men and women. These two stores convey a warm and magical atmosphere. They face each other. Its pieces of furniture (some of which are for sale) are inspirational. A feast for the eyes.”
DS: “Clothes, bags, hats and period jewellery.”

ELIO FERRARO
Via Pietro Maroncelli, 1, 20154 Milan
39 02 43113202
elioferraro.com
€€€€
This shop is like Ali Baba’s cave for any fashion addict. You’ll find some very rare and beautiful vintage pieces, and the very friendly store owner will gladly tell you the history of the pieces you buy.

MEMORY LANE
Via Galeazzo Alessi 8, 20123, Milan
39 02 39542764
memorylanevintageMilano.com
€€€€
A shop where you will find beautiful dresses from the ’50s and ’60s to please all Mad Men addicts. And to top it off, most of the treasures here are top designer pieces.
NT: “Vintage designer clothes are sold in a small space in front of the Darsena (dock): Balenciaga tube dresses, old Chanel bags and lots of accessories.”

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ROSSANA ORLANDI
Via Matteo Bandello, 14/16, 20123 Milan
39 02 467 4471
rossanaorlandi.com
€€€€
Rossana Orlandi created a symbolic space, composed of an art gallery, a reputable vintage shop and even a great restaurant. A place like no other, an absolute must when in Milan.
BT: “A magical place, to find accessories, furniture, jewellery, accessories. It is a must-see.”

OUTLETS

D MAGAZINE OUTLET
Via Monte Napoleone 26, 20121, Milan
39 02 76006027
dmagazine.it
€€€
This shop is always crowded thanks to its incredible stock of designer items from previous seasons. Head there if you’re looking for some big brand name items at half the price.
FET: “Centrally located and very popular. This fashion outlet hosts the best brands. If you are patient, you will not be disappointed.”
FT: “All the collections from the previous seasons organized by category.”
BT: “Clothes and accessories from previous collections of all major brands: from Prada to Margiela, from YSL to Dries Van Noten.”

MARNI OUTLET
Via Filippo Tajani 1, 20133, Milan
39 02 7528 0420
€€€
Here, your dreams can come true. With great prices on the iconic Italian brand – up to 70% – what are you waiting for?
NT: “A courtyard not far from the Ortica which has been dedicated to the Marni style for several years already: coats, bags, shoes and small adorable leather goods. Of course, it all comes at affordable prices.”

BEST SHOPPING AREA

QUADRILATERO DELLA MODA
Via Gesù, Via Santo Spirito, Via Bagutta, Via Sant’Andrea, Via Manzoni, via Monte Napoleone, 20121 Milan
This is THE place to go for fashion when you come to Milan. All the big brands are concentrated here in this neighbourhood: Sergio Rossi, Corto Moltedo, Prada, Sebastian, and much more… Truly a girl’s fashion playground.
FET: “This is where you will find different designer boutiques: where big names (Armani, Ralph Lauren and Chanel) meet niche designers such as Donatella Pellini Sabbadini and Pennisi for exquisite jewellery.”
FT: “For the brands.”
DS: “The best in fashion: the highest concentration of brands in a small area that you can visit by foot.”
BT: “It’s everything and more for a 360° shopping experience.”

PORTA GENOVA / PORTA TICINESE
Go to the Corto di Porta Ticinese to find a great variety of incredible vintage stores.
NT: “Two areas where there are many shops for young people which sell the latest collections and the trendiest designers. You will also find vintage clothes which have been reinterpreted and street wear clothes.”