Milan shopping: what are the top luxury brands and stores?

Milan is certainly one of the fashion capital of the world. Fashion is actually woven into the town itself. Stage of one of the most crucial fashion week of the globe, the city hosts the headquarters of many top-notch Italian luxury brands: Armani, Gucci, Valentino are just some luxury fashion labels you can find walking the streets of this unique city.

If you are into style, it is no mystery that Milan is a paradise for you. Famed designer stores, fashion outlets, luxury boutiques and global flagships: while here, you will be spoiled for choice. You are asking where to shop in Milan. I share with you a short guide with the best addresses for shopping in Milan.

Milan shopping: where to start?

If you are planning your luxury shopping tour in Milan, the first advice is to take into account that timing is important: large shops generally are open daily, while smaller shops can be closed Sundays and on Monday mornings. So, as soon as you have identified your favorite shops and boutiques, it is better to check their opening times.

Another tip is to plan your tour in advance: most of the luxury fashion shops are actually in Milan city center but the downtown is not the only place to go if you are looking for shopping in Milan. Just outside the city center, you will find the top Milan shopping outlets you can easily get to by car: if you rent a luxury car with private driver, you will enjoy your shopping tour in Milan with all the comfort and relaxation this kind of experience requires. Now it is time to go: let’s start to discover the best place to go for your Milan shopping experience.

Read more: How to get from Malpensa Airport to Milan city center (and vice versa)

Milan fashion district: The Golden Rectangle

If Milan is one of the fashion capital of the world, then the Quadrilatero d’Oro district or Quadrilatero della moda is the beating heart of this fashionable metropolis.

The ‘Quadrilatero d’Oro’ – translated into English as ‘The Golden Rectangle’ – is the most famous Milan fashion district. The ‘Quadrilatero della moda’ is made up of a tangle of streets located just north of the Duomo and its moniker comes from 4 streets which surround it: Via Montenapoleone, via Manzoni, via della Spiga and Corso Venezia.

They are the perfect place where every shopaholic’s dream comes true. Each spot here is full of haute couture and high-end brands such as Armani, Prada, Versace and Roberto Cavalli. It seems a more authentic version of Los Angeles’ famous Rodeo Drive. This is no coincidence because Rodeo Drive’s architecture was directly inspired by European fashion districts such as Milan Golden Rectangle.

Can’t decide for shopping? No problem! A look at the shop windows here will give you a sense of the season’s top trends and will provide you the perfect inspiration for your Milan shopping experience.

Via Montenapoleone

Via Montenapoleone is certainly the heart of the ‘Golden Rectangle’ in Milan. The most important street for luxury shopping in Milan, it is the fifth top expensive street around the globe, according to the Main Street Across the world report .

Walking there, you can easily understand why: among the top luxury brands, you can find here Gucci, Prada, Valentino, Fendi and Salvatore Ferragamo all on the same way. Moreover, Via Montenapoleone is also the perfect place if you are looking for the best Italian luxury leather accessories.

Milan shopping mall: Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

One of the oldest shopping malls in the world and one of the most enchanting one in Milan is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, planned in 1861 and built in 12 years.

It has two huge walkways crossing in the middle with a central octagon and is a great example of Italian architecture, with its mosaic floor, its features in plaster and granite and the wonderful glass roof.

From Prada store to Versace, Armani, Gucci, Swarovski and Louis Vuitton ones, while there, you will be awestruck by the luxury collections which are displayed here in spaces quite similar to museum rooms rather than to shops. If you are tired from too much shopping, don’t worry. You can relax and take a break in one of the many cafes and restaurants located in the Galleria.

Milan boutique: top addresses to shop

If you have not enough time to wander choosing your favorite luxury shops in Milan, I give you some useful address of Milan boutiques:

Antonia boutique

In Via Cusani 5 is an exclusive multi-brand store located in the elegant Brera district. Its big space (600 m²) hosts high-end and luxury clothing for both men and women and fine accessories collections.

10 Corso Como

In Corso Como 10 is a unique and magical place for Milan shopping; here books, art, new and old fashion collections are exposed in an out-of-the-ordinary mix in two floors and a garden and roof terrace.

Antonioli

In Via Pasquale Paoli is the main expression of the global street goth movement; here you can find clothes of progressive fashion labels and everything here, from clothes to accessories and furniture, is an expression of that style; Raf Simons, Vetements, Yohji Yamamoto and Rick Owens are some labels you will find here.

Excelsior Milano

In Galleria del Corso 4 is a Milan shopping experience split in seven floors of menswear, womenswear, homeware and everyday life items; it houses the collections of some first-class fashion designer labels from around the world as Visvim, Gucci, Dries Van Noten and Yeezy.

Milan shopping outlets: luxury shopping

There is no doubt that the best luxury fashion shops in Milan are in the city center. It is true also that if you want to realize your luxury shopping dream in Milan and you want to contain the costs, you have an alternative. You can get to Milan shopping outlets, few kilometers far from the downtown, where a huge selection of clothes and accessories of the most famous fashion labels are waiting for you.

Serravalle Designer Outlet

Just an hour from Milan by car, Serravalle Designer Outlet hosts more than 230 shops. It is the first and largest designer outlet in Italy and here you can find a special selection of your favorite fashion designer brands up to 70% off. From iconic fashion brands such as Bulgari, Prada, Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent to Italian accessories shops and household articles stores, here you will choose among the latest styles for you and your home.

Vicolungo The Style Outlet

Located just 30 minutes from Milan, Vicolungo The Style Outlet is the closest outlet to Milan. Here there are more than 150 luxury designer stores such as Missoni, Trussardi, Armani, Calvin Klein offering a selection of clothing, home and beauty products up to 70% from their original price. Not only shopping: in Vicolungo The Style Outlet you can enjoy also art exhibitions, events, and other cultural or artistic initiatives.

Franciacorta outlet village

Less than an hour from Milan, Franciacorta Outlet Village is nestled between Lakes Garda and Iseo, in a district famous for its wine Franciacorta, indeed. The shopping experience here is structured among 160 stores with discounts of up to 70% year-round: Braccialini, Calvin Klein, Trussardi, Patrizia Pepe are some fashion brands you will find here. In addition to shopping, while here, you can take the opportunity to enjoy Franciacorta district, a land full of taste and history.

Milan shopping: your experience

In this guide, I tried to outline the best spots for your luxury shopping experience in Milan. Don’t forget that if you want to make your tour easier and most comfortable, you can enjoy our luxury car rental service. A private driver will pick you up wherever you want and will come with you to discover the best luxury places for shopping in Milan.

Now it is up to you. Have you ever been in this fashion capital? What about your experience? Can you suggest me other Milan boutiques to visit? I wait for you in the comments below.