Milan Fashion - How to Sight the Local Looks

Having lived in Milan for the past month, I have picked up on the reality of local Milan fashion, and it’s certainly not what I expected. Of course, when coming to Milan, I knew I would be living in more of a city and less of a quintessential town but, I didn’t realize how much this would affect the fashion here. As we know, Milan has been dubbed the fashion capital of the world, but it is also a bustling city. Behind the thousands of tourists that cycle through each day in their Instagrammable outfits, a majority of the Milan population is working professionals that prioritize their workwear, making a day at the office an event to dress out for. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed taking in the local looks and with time, I’ve found my favorite places to do so.

Taking the lead for one of my favorite locations to scout out the most avant-garde pieces would have to be the metro. As we’ve become well integrated into the morning commute of the locals, our sundresses and “summer colors” certainly stand out amongst the muted and neutral colors spread across the metro. However, the tone of the clothes doesn’t mean these are dull outfits and in fact, it is quite the opposite. The most common look seen here would have to be a business casual look, typically embodied by a tailored jacket, fitted shirt, clean pant, and a trendy shoe. Although this is the most common outfit for those headed to the office, you will surely find effortlessly cool streetwear, edgy trends, and minimalistic slips sprinkled throughout. Additionally, specific staples such as small bags and sunglasses are a must! Needless to say, no matter where these folks are headed, once they step off the metro, they are certainly dressed for the occasion.

Once we exit the metro, we find ourselves in the heart of the city. Luckily for us, we take classes each day settled between several corporate offices, and can admire professional wear each day. The most common is a clean-cut suit, tailored perfectly to compliment each person. Considering this district is primarily financial and investment firms, these suits are typically all we see, however, we are just a block away from the greatest tourist attraction in Milan. The Duomo sits just behind these firms, parting the waves of black, blue, and gray suits, leading to a sea of colors, florals, and everything in between. There is truly something so special about this part of town, appreciating the local looks while also admiring the exciting pieces some fellow tourists are bringing to the table.

Now last but certainly not least, one place that never fails to deliver some of the most pristine looks would be a place called, “The Living Room”. More likely than not, you’ve seen this beautiful enclosed structure online without knowing it. Completely covered in stained glass and marble, this place houses a large portion of the high-end stores in the city. Settled just to the left of the Duomo, The Living Room sweeps the eyes of all thanks to its vast beauty and of course, helps to provide the greatest background for some pictures. I love watching trendy pieces seen online be brought to life in this part of the city especially, typically complemented by a recently-purchased designer bag from one of the select stores inside. There is no doubt that when milling about this area, you’ll see a large portion of name brands and exclusive pieces making their debut.

All in all, when they say Milan is the fashion capital of the world, they aren’t lying. Of course, this is primarily due to name brands’ headquarters and original houses being located within the city limits, but streetwear truly keeps this meaning alive. The combination of business casual, streetwear, high-end, and trending pieces gives this beautiful city even more character! No matter where you find yourself in Milan, there will always be amazing outfits to appreciate. One important aspect I’ve truly realized is how much beauty you can find in simplicity. However, I will always be fond of my bright-colored and over-the-top looks!