Where to go shopping in Milan

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 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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.