• Intelligencer
  • The Cut
  • Vulture
  • The Strategist
  • Curbed
  • Grub Street
  • Subscribe to the Magazine Give a Gift Subscription Buy Back Issues Current Issue Contents
    Subscribe to New York Magazine
  • Subscribe
  • Profile
    Sign Out
The Cut
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
Style
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Shopping
  • Design Hunting
  • New York Weddings
  • Parties & Red Carpet
  • Fashion Shows
  • Cathy Horyn
Self
  • Health & Wellness
  • Motherhood
  • Advice
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Science of Us
  • Horoscopes
  • Ask Polly
Culture
  • Books
  • Television
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Celebrity
Power
  • Politics
  • Work
  • Money
  • Rebecca Traister
More
  • Latest Stories
  • Video
  • About Us
  • The Cut Shop
  • nymag.com
  • New York Magazine
  • Intelligencer
  • Vulture
  • The Cut
  • The Strategist
  • Grub Street
style spy
May 14, 2013

How to Max Out Credit Cards Shopping in Milan

By Stella Bugbee

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet

One of the best things about working in fashion is that you have an excuse to visit Milan, where doing business is often served up with a side of shopping and eating. Last week, I had the pleasure of “working” there for a few atypically sunny spring days. As I lunched outside at Il Salumaio di Montenapoleone and paid an obligatory visit to 10 Corso Como, I couldn’t stop appreciating the casually elegant people around me. Even at eight o’clock in the morning, the Milanese emerge from their homes looking better than most of us look on our wedding days. Whether on foot, or three-speed bicycle, they seem to wear their luxe items with an enviable disregard for price or preciousness. They might not have many things in their closets, but they wear them out like it’s NBD. One woman I spoke to reaffirmed the old cliché, “We don’t buy a lot, but we buy the best.”

Because I am hopelessly impressionable and love to get right into feeling at home, I began an immediate mental-wardrobe-makeover for myself and my husband. I didn’t buy everything I wanted on this trip, but I did find a few must-haves like great cropped pants and jacquard skirts by Alberto Biani, a new designer I’d never tried. I revisited some old faves and made some pit stops at a few used bookstores for fashion photography inspiration. And I might have eaten enough to justify buying a new wardrobe anyway. Click through the slideshow above for a few of my favorite items from the trip, and consider it an introduction to looking more “Italian.”

View
1 / 15 Photos
Prada Rose Earrings Bright rhinestones bring the right amount of glamour to a little black dress (perfect for a summer wedding), or add a bit of ... Prada Rose Earrings Bright rhinestones bring the right amount of glamour to a little black dress (perfect for a summer wedding), or add a bit of sparkle to a plain sundress at the office.
Alberto Biani Jacquard Skirt If I could, I would have bought several pairs of Biani's forgiving silk pants that were somewhere between pajam... Alberto Biani Jacquard Skirt If I could, I would have bought several pairs of Biani's forgiving silk pants that were somewhere between pajama bottoms and finely tailored trousers. His deceptively light, pleated skirts in the same fabrics were also a fave.
Jil Sander Clutch A slim, colorful bit of good leather is the universal language of tastefulness.
Dolce & Gabbana Rafia Sandals Though I love the Sicilian influence in the D&G spring collection, I'd go for the simplest expression of th... Dolce & Gabbana Rafia Sandals Though I love the Sicilian influence in the D&G spring collection, I'd go for the simplest expression of the idea. These girlish summer sandals would look great with white jeans or a skirt.
Fendi Leather and Brass Necklace When things work, they don't have to work hard. For a no-brainer outfit fix, try a graphic choker worn with a si... Fendi Leather and Brass Necklace When things work, they don't have to work hard. For a no-brainer outfit fix, try a graphic choker worn with a simple, navy cashmere sweater.
Gucci Scarf Florals grounded in black feel sumptuous and unexpected.
Armani Heels I'd make a blue-suede-shoes joke here but that would be terribly Americano of me.
Marni Top Italians are not afraid of a playful print, and they mix them with aplomb.
Campo Marzio Notebooks Everywhere I went in Milan, there were bright, happy affirmations that the world is not entirely digital. Pleasure can be ... Campo Marzio Notebooks Everywhere I went in Milan, there were bright, happy affirmations that the world is not entirely digital. Pleasure can be found simply by writing on orange sheets of paper.
Missoni Knit Cardigan The classic zigzag in a color combo that can easily go from summer to fall.
Versace Leather Pencil Skirt Royal blue as a neutral, but of course.
Antico Frantoio Muraglia Olive Oil Liquid gold in a stunning vessel. The ultimate easy gift.
Pomellato Rings Soft, round, warm: my body after a plate of Risotto. Also these minimal rings by quintessential Italian jeweler Pomellato.
Upgrade for the Husband I've never met a man who didn't look good in Italian clothing. Period.
The Ultimate Fashion Inspiration: Out of Print First Editions Located near the University, Libreria Malavasi has shelves lined with old-school, l... The Ultimate Fashion Inspiration: Out of Print First Editions Located near the University, Libreria Malavasi has shelves lined with old-school, leather-bound books of maps, quaint children's books from pre-war Italy, and my personal favorites: old first editions of classic fashion books. The store's owner Sergio is willing to let you pore over your selections for as long as you like.
1 / 15

Tags:

  • goods
  • milan
  • global luxury market
  • style spy
  • the overspenders
  • prada
  • missoni
  • fendi
  • gucci
  • guiseppe zanotti
  • jil sander
  • dolce & gabana
  • versace
  • marni
  • armani
  • canali
  • tod's
  • zegna
  • More

More Galleries

campaign trail Jan. 28, 2021
 The Best Fashion Campaigns From Spring 2021  This season’s best from Prada, Versace, Miu Miu, and more. 
By Florence O'Connor
in memoriam Dec. 30, 2020
30 Incredible Fashion Moments From Pierre Cardin  Remembering a creative visionary. 
By Andrew Nguyen
rest in power Dec. 23, 2020
A Photo Memorial for an Iconic Model  She passed away suddenly at the age of 50 this week. 
campaign trail Nov. 18, 2020
‘Tis the Season for New Fashion Ads  See the best ones from Gucci, Prada, Versace, and more. 
By Emily Burns
nyfw spring 2021 Oct. 26, 2020
How a Great Collection Comes Alive  Christopher John Rogers launched its first-ever online shop, along with a new campaign. 
By Andrew Nguyen
campaign trail Sept. 24, 2020
See the Fashion Campaigns for Fall 2020  From Prada, Michael Kors, Celine, Louis Vuitton, and more. 
By Andrew Nguyen
nyfw spring 2021 Sept. 22, 2020
See the Coach Spring 2021 Collection  Worn by Megan Thee Stallion, Kate Moss, Cole Sprouse, and more. 
By Andrew Nguyen
fashion Sept. 16, 2020
The Stunning Awkwardness of Face Masks on the Red Carpet  Celebrities tried to make the best of a strange situation at the 2020 Venice Film Festival. 
one word one shot Sept. 15, 2020
72 Designers on Their Spring/Summer Inspirations  Just in time for Fashion Week. 
By the Cut
red carpet Sept. 8, 2020
This Red Carpet Was Totally Surreal  But also amazing. See all the looks at the Venice Film Festival. 
By Emilia Petrarca and Andrew Nguyen
in memoriam Aug. 31, 2020
Remembering Chadwick Boseman on the Red Carpet  His style was bold, risk-taking, and always impeccable. 
the wedding files Aug. 21, 2020
The Design-Minded Couple Who Didn’t Want to Try Too Hard  The bride got a wonderful surprise the morning of her wedding. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files Aug. 14, 2020
A Costa Rica Wedding During the Rainy Season  Thunder roared during the toasts. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files Aug. 7, 2020
A San Francisco Wedding at a Big, Empty Pier  The bride changed into crushed-velvet pants for the disco-infused reception. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 31, 2020
An Elopement Among the Lupines in Iceland  The late afternoon was spent snapping photos near waterfalls and black beaches. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 24, 2020
A Pennsylvania Potluck for 280 People  “I looked at her for the first time and had this feeling like, You. I know you.” 
By Kaitlin Menza
milan fashion week July 22, 2020
Behind the Scenes at Gucci’s Virtual Show  Instead of models, members of the design team sported the eccentric collection. 
By Andrew Nguyen
the wedding files July 17, 2020
A Dance Party Under Puerto Rican Palm Trees  Bad Bunny blasted and pitorro flowed. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 10, 2020
A Zoom Wedding Only Two Digital Creatives Could Produce  The couple coordinated multiple video segments, breakout rooms, and a dance party. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 3, 2020
The Anti-Spectacle Wedding That Turned Into a Spectacle  Brooklyn Bridge Park was the site of their first date, proposal, and wedding. 
By Kaitlin Menza
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Help
  • We’re Hiring
  • Press
  • Trademark
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Ad Choices
  • Do Not Sell My Info
The Cut is a Vox Media Network. © 2021 Vox Media, LLC. All rights reserved.