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Milan, Italy: 18 October 2022: La double J shop in Montenapoleone street, fashion district of Milan, Lombardy, Italy
Photograph: Luca Ponti/Shutterstock

Where to go shopping in Milan

From designer boutiques to department stores and vintage gems, here are the places to tick off your list

Edited by
Ella Doyle
Written by
Michelle Schoenung
&
Laura Todd
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Whatever you’re headed to Milan for, there’s a high likelihood that shopping features at least near to the top of your list of things to do. This Italian city is known for its top-notch fashion scene, uber-cool shops and envious street style, and unsurprisingly, there’s many, many stores to choose from. Milan is known for being home to high-end luxury labels (hello, Versace and Armani), plus you're likely to find some designer shops cheaper there due to VAT refunds and transport costs. 

So whether you’re looking to stroll through a huge department store for hours, try your hand at sourcing a designer bargain in a vintage shop or spend your days dipping in and out of tiny, trendy boutiques, there’s a shop for you in Milan. But with so much choice, you’re going to want to make at least a bit of a plan. Well, that’s where we come in. Here’s our picks of the best shops in Milan to visit on your next trip. 

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Planning your next trip? Check out our latest travel guides, written by local experts.

Where to shop in Milan

10 Corso Como
Photograph: anna.q/Shutterstock

1. 10 Corso Como

It’s not a shopping trip in Milan without a trip to 10 Corso Como. The flagship store was founded by Carla Sozzani in 1990, and despite its chic-ness, it’s not just about clothes. Corso Como has actually been described as the first ever concept shop, as it was the first to put everything at once all show, impeccably curated. It’s home to a boutique, a book store, art, a café and an entire gallery too. Worth it just for the venue, which is beautiful. 

La Rinascente
Photograph: Cesare Andrea Ferrari/Shutterstock

2. La Rinascente

La Rinascente is a huge, luxurious department store in the iconic Piazza del Duomo, with a whole ten floors full of clothes, makeup, homeware and more, plus a load of great restaurants. Anything you need, La Rinascente has it in buckets. Plus, the food hall right at the top has some of the best views of the city that you’ll find in Milan. Shopping doesn’t get much better than this. 

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Slam Jam
Photograph: Courtesy Slam Jam

3. Slam Jam

The Italian streetwear institution has been a pilgrimage point since opening its first location in Ferrara in 1989. Carrying hard-to-come-by independent brands and limited-edition drops from the big players, the Sempione park-adjacent location is always buzzing. If you fancy yourself a sneakerhead, check the website ahead of time to catch upcoming drops.

4. Wait and See

The location – a convent from the 18th century in Milan’s historic Cinque Vie (five streets) – may be old, but the philosophy of this colourful and eccentric boutique is forward-thinking. Fashion expert and self-proclaimed aesthete Umberta Zambeletti offers a curated selection of clothing, accessories, objects, stationery and vintage pieces from all over the world.

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5. Pupi Solari

A longtime arbiter of Milanese style and unofficial uniformer of the Milan's bourgeoisie, Pupi Solari excels in understated but ultra-chic clothing for women and children. The shop is still run day-to-day by the octogenarian owner, Pupi, who originally opened it in the '60s. Find a thoughtful curation of pared-back brands like Aspesi, Jil Sander and Massimo Alba, as well as perfectly prim clothes for kids.

L’Arabesque
Photograph: Courtesy TripAdvisor.com

6. L’Arabesque

Chichi Meroni, designer and proprietor of L’Arabesque, has created a world of her own in her Largo Augusto 10 flagship. The boutique carries her own designs, vintage clothing, furniture, rare books and a café. L’Arabesque ups the ante when it comes to concept stores, channelling an old-world, distinctly Milanese kind of glamour – a byproduct of Meroni’s impeccable taste.

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7. Frip

Located mere steps from the picturesque Colonne di San Lorenzo, Frip has been around for almost 25 years, dealing in “savvy, understated fashions” from the best British, French and Scandinavian brands. It appeals to those looking for longer-lasting alternatives to offerings from the fast-fashion stores quickly overtaking the city. Frip sells clothing and accessories for men and women that are destined to become wardrobe staples for years to come.

La DoubleJ
Photograph: Luca Ponti/Shutterstock

8. La DoubleJ

Prints are on the table at this Navigli-side shop and showroom. They’re also on the floor, walls, chairs and all the way up to the ceiling. Founded by former fashion journalist and American ex-pat JJ Martin, La DoubleJ started as a vintage e-retailer but soon blossomed into a ready-to-wear line that specialises in maximalist, colour-centric, made-in-Italy womenswear. The showroom doubles as La DoubleJ’s headquarters, so email laservice@ladoublej ahead of time to book an appointment. 

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9. Bivio

Milan’s most fashionable crowd has got to clean out its closets sometime, right? And when that happens, stuff goes straight to Bivio. The only consignment shop we know of where you can find two seasons ago Marni or Prada for the price of a Zara dress, bargains await once you roll up your sleeves and dig into Bivio’s overflowing racks. Spanning three stores for both men and women on via Mora in the Ticinese district and a third in Porta Venezia, follow the shop on social media to get first dibs on the latest second-hand arrivals.

10. Antonioli

Set on an otherwise unremarkable side street just off of Naviglio Grande, Antonioli specialises in excruciatingly of-the-moment styles, describing patrons as “men and women who choose to lead the way, living their lives free from conformities.” The 400-square-metres shop was designed by local architect Vincenzo de Cotiis and is home to the more eclectic offerings from the major fashion houses, buzzy independent designers and a strong roster of streetwear.

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Antonia
Photograph: Courtesy Yelp/Elisa V.

11. Antonia

The heroic interiors alone are worth a trip to Antonia. Set in a stripped-back former palazzo, a mountain’s weight of lux marble and sleek contemporary furniture define the cavernous space. With a cutting-edge curation that caters to the city’s high fashion set, find everything from limited-edition Nike trainers to just-off-the-runway brands like Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta and The Row.

Cavalli e Nastri runs two funky boutiques dealing the best in vintage clothing and accessories, all presented in a fun and enticing manner. The boutique in the Brera district focuses on women’s pieces, and there is another shop on the same street near the Colonne di San Lorenzo. Each location offers a curated selection of fashions from yesterday with an eye toward today’s trends.

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Larusmiani
Photograph: Mate Karoly/Shutterstock

13. Larusmiani

A storied menswear boutique in Milan’s fashion quarter, Larusmiani is the oldest shop in the district, open since 1954. Specialising in handcrafted suits, shirts and shoes that are sought after for their exquisite detailing, Larusmiani also has an awesome ready-to-wear section and a grooming shop in the basement that sells one-of-a-kind handmade accessories for men.

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