Shopping

Links

www.luxos.com
www.friendinmilan.co.uk

In Milan, nearly all shops are shut on Sundays. Non-food shops are closed on Monday mornings as well: food shops are open on Monday mornings but closed on Mon afternoon. For Sunday shopping, there are the multimedia stores in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, Piazza Duomo, Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Via Torino, a few fashion stores on Corso Vittorio Emanuele, and, near Garibaldi station, Corso Como 10.

The range of retail outlets in Milan runs from the high fashion boutiques, to small shops, department stores, supermarkets, discount outlets, and street markets. Some parts of the city have a specific character as regards shopping. Via Montenapoleone and the adjoining streets (within the area bordered by Via della Spiga, Corso Venezia, Via Bigli and Via Manzoni) are the high fashion area. There are furniture and lighting shops in Corso Matteotti, Corso Monforte and Via Durini.

Piazza San Babila, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Piazza Duomo (including Galleria Vittorio Emanuele) and Via Dante form a continuous pedestrian precinct with many shops, mainly clothes, but also books and media.

Other important, less central shopping streets include Corso Buenos Aires (near the station), Corso XXII Marzo, and Corso Vercelli. Via Torino is strong on fashion for young people.

The Brera district, around the like-named academy and gallery, was once the reign of artists: there are still a number of private galleries in Via Brera, Via del Carmine and Via Solferino, but these streets are now great for shopping. Via Fiori Chiari, Via Madonnina and Piazza del Carmine form another attractive pedestrian precinct with small, interesting shops, and in the evening the area is kept lively by virtue of the many bars and cafés.

Corso di Porta Ticinese, particularly in the stretch between the churches of San Lorenzo and Sant’Eustorgio, has many trendy, ethnic-type shops for clothes, furniture etc., and it has also become a focal point for young nightlife. It is close to another characteristic shopping and nightlife area, the Navigli canal district (Ripa di Porta Ticinese, Via Ascanio Sforza). On the Naviglio Grande canal, on the last Sunday of each month, there is a large antiques market with stalls selling everything from postcards to furniture.

Via Paolo Sarpi is the home to Milan’s Chinatown (actually just a few streets), and so here there are many shops selling their specialities, in particular leatherware.

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DISCOUNT SHOPPING

Discount outlets, shops selling quality brand products at wholesale prices, are becoming very popular nowadays. As Milan is an important fashion centre, it is rather difficult to find real outlets, because none of the major brands wishes to be seen selling off stock cheap. There are a few stores that specialise in reduced-price fashion garments, but their stock often changes according to season and availability. Some stores offer tax rebates for non EC visitors, and your passport will probably be necessary to obtain this. Another reason why it is a good thing to carry your passport around with you.

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STREET MARKET

You would be hard-pressed to miss Milan’s outdoor market scene. Every zone in Milan holds these markets on various days. Citizens of Milan not only do their grocery shopping here but also look for knick-knacks and other miscellaneous items. Two rules guide your visit: don’t touch the produce, and no haggling. Vendors take pride in choosing the best products for you and will only be offended by haggling or a bossy client. Here a zone map of Milan as well as a table of locations (as organized by zone and day market is held).

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Size Coversions

Women’s Clothing

Jumpers/Pullovers, Suits, Jackets

Mens’ Shirts

Women’s Shoes

Men’s Shoes

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