Milan Shopping
Sep 13th, 2017, 08:43 PM
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Milan Shopping
Hi fellow Fodorites,
It's been a while since I've been on this site and I hope everyone has been traveling well!
I am currently in Italy and have a day in Milan that I'd like to devote to shopping and am looking for some suggested streets for moderate to upscale fashion forward items. For context, I live in Manhattan so am looking for Italian goods and clothing that are different from what I can buy at home and are attractively priced here. Any suggestions?
On a higher end note, does anyone know if Prada, Fendi, Aquatalia, etc are cheaper in Milan than in the States given the exchange rate?
Thanks for your help!
It's been a while since I've been on this site and I hope everyone has been traveling well!
I am currently in Italy and have a day in Milan that I'd like to devote to shopping and am looking for some suggested streets for moderate to upscale fashion forward items. For context, I live in Manhattan so am looking for Italian goods and clothing that are different from what I can buy at home and are attractively priced here. Any suggestions?
On a higher end note, does anyone know if Prada, Fendi, Aquatalia, etc are cheaper in Milan than in the States given the exchange rate?
Thanks for your help!
Sep 13th, 2017, 10:47 PM
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I was just in Milano in June and did some shopping. One area that I shopped in was within walking distance of the Duomo. There were so many shops that I can't remember all of the specifics. But, there was one, tiny handbag boutique called, Plumelli in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle 2 area, and when I peeped in, the first thing that I saw was what looked like a Boyy bag. When I went in, I noticed that the bags were replicas of some high-end bags and they looked really good. They had some really cool floral handbag straps as I bought for a gift. They were only 49 euros and looked really good.
As for the Boyy bags, I've seen the original ones, at the Boyy boutique in Bangkok, as one of the designers of that line is Thai.
As for pricing out the high-end designers, I saved a bundle on a strap at Fendi. Just go on the U.S. websites and also the Italian websites and compare prices and add U.S. tax and deduct about 10% from the European price as that's about what you'll get back in tax free. I've been shopping in Europe since the early 70s. I use www.xe.com for conversion.
Just remember that when you re-enter the U.S., the duty-free limit is $800. But, although I declare items and have had luggage gone through and inspected, a lot of times the officers have just said, "Welcome Home" and flagged me through without having gone through my luggage although I have declared over my $800. duty-free amount. It depends on the officer and also a lot of time on in which city I have to do customs before changing planes to fly home. Some customs experiences have been horrible and others were a breeze which is why I prefer to get non-stop flights when I can and then if I have to deal with customs, then let me do it in my home city.
When one officer looked at my declaration form, his eyebrow raised and he laughed and said that I must have had fun shopping as I was quite a bit over the limit. Then, he asked why I had even declared it all. I was completely shocked the he said that. He then smiled, put a check on my declaration form, and welcomed me home. No duty. Another time officer kept apologizing for it taking so long for him to look up different items, in a book, to see what the tax might be if any and in the end just again welcomed me home and said that I didn't owe any tax. And other times I have been charged duty tax, but usually years ago.
Have fun shopping in Milano.
Happy Travels!
As for the Boyy bags, I've seen the original ones, at the Boyy boutique in Bangkok, as one of the designers of that line is Thai.
As for pricing out the high-end designers, I saved a bundle on a strap at Fendi. Just go on the U.S. websites and also the Italian websites and compare prices and add U.S. tax and deduct about 10% from the European price as that's about what you'll get back in tax free. I've been shopping in Europe since the early 70s. I use www.xe.com for conversion.
Just remember that when you re-enter the U.S., the duty-free limit is $800. But, although I declare items and have had luggage gone through and inspected, a lot of times the officers have just said, "Welcome Home" and flagged me through without having gone through my luggage although I have declared over my $800. duty-free amount. It depends on the officer and also a lot of time on in which city I have to do customs before changing planes to fly home. Some customs experiences have been horrible and others were a breeze which is why I prefer to get non-stop flights when I can and then if I have to deal with customs, then let me do it in my home city.
When one officer looked at my declaration form, his eyebrow raised and he laughed and said that I must have had fun shopping as I was quite a bit over the limit. Then, he asked why I had even declared it all. I was completely shocked the he said that. He then smiled, put a check on my declaration form, and welcomed me home. No duty. Another time officer kept apologizing for it taking so long for him to look up different items, in a book, to see what the tax might be if any and in the end just again welcomed me home and said that I didn't owe any tax. And other times I have been charged duty tax, but usually years ago.
Have fun shopping in Milano.
Happy Travels!
Sep 14th, 2017, 01:24 AM
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As part of the Quadrilatero d'Oro – Milan's golden quadrilateral – Via Montenapoleone is an essential destination for luxury shopping in the city. Corso Venezia. Corso di Porta Ticinese. Corso Vittorio Emanuele II. Corso Buenos Aires.
Sep 14th, 2017, 10:41 AM
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Thanks so much, Gwenmai and pretty funny about the customs officers! Thanks also, PaulJohnson! I am looking forward to a good time and hopefully finding some great pieces, handbags and shoes at potentially cheaper prices than in the US.
All other suggestions welcome!
Thanks in advance.
All other suggestions welcome!
Thanks in advance.
Sep 14th, 2017, 10:44 AM
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Although I do enjoy shopping in the Duomo area and the golden rectangle, my favorite place to stay, shop and dine is in Brera district stretching up to the Muscova metro stop. You can find great shopping along the Corso Garibaldi, Via Statuto and Via Solferino, which turns into Via Brera. Plus the network of little streets like Via Fiori Chiari and Via Madonnina.
My favorite clothing store is Nadia Corti, a mid-priced designer who makes cocktail and dress work clothes. She or her daughter are usually in the store and will give you great personal service. Clothes are beautifully made and flattering. Corso Garibaldi, 64. About a block or so down the street is a small store run by a woman who designs and makes her own line of costume jewelry.
My favorite clothing store is Nadia Corti, a mid-priced designer who makes cocktail and dress work clothes. She or her daughter are usually in the store and will give you great personal service. Clothes are beautifully made and flattering. Corso Garibaldi, 64. About a block or so down the street is a small store run by a woman who designs and makes her own line of costume jewelry.
Sep 15th, 2017, 09:30 AM
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If you are looking for well known brands at great prices there is the Foxtown outlet at Mendrisio in Switzerland.
There is a huge number of brands including some you will probably have never heard of in the US - see the list here http://www.foxtown.com/en/marchi
There are two daily buses each day - http://www.foxtown.com/en/shuttle-bu...aparte-foxtown
There is a huge number of brands including some you will probably have never heard of in the US - see the list here http://www.foxtown.com/en/marchi
There are two daily buses each day - http://www.foxtown.com/en/shuttle-bu...aparte-foxtown
Sep 15th, 2017, 06:21 PM
#9
Um, Serapian is on the Via Spiga in Milano.
Guiliana Camerino aka Roberta di Camerino was a major Italian fashion designer from Venice.
I can remember when her shop was near Trump Tower on 5th Avenue in NYC.
Not known in Italy my white Quaker a$$.
Next you will tell me that Farmaceutica Profumo Santa Maria Novella is not known in Italy.
Thin
Guiliana Camerino aka Roberta di Camerino was a major Italian fashion designer from Venice.
I can remember when her shop was near Trump Tower on 5th Avenue in NYC.
Not known in Italy my white Quaker a$$.
Next you will tell me that Farmaceutica Profumo Santa Maria Novella is not known in Italy.
Thin
Sep 16th, 2017, 04:03 AM
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Serapian is NOT well known in Italy as their bags are frankly fairly uninspiring.
Roberta di Camerino is known in Italy but has gone so down market that the company designs products which can be found in supermarkets. Not those occasional hit designer items which you sometimes find at HM but always.
Pepper_von_snoot - I thought you were slightly more up market. If not, perhaps you should change your name.
Roberta di Camerino is known in Italy but has gone so down market that the company designs products which can be found in supermarkets. Not those occasional hit designer items which you sometimes find at HM but always.
Pepper_von_snoot - I thought you were slightly more up market. If not, perhaps you should change your name.
Sep 16th, 2017, 05:50 AM
#11
I don't care if Serapian or Roberta do Camerino are uninspiring.
You stated that they were not Italian, comparing them to an olive oil made in NJ, and you were wrong.
Wrong as usual, like so many other loser unemployed who post here.
Thin
You stated that they were not Italian, comparing them to an olive oil made in NJ, and you were wrong.
Wrong as usual, like so many other loser unemployed who post here.
Thin
Sep 16th, 2017, 06:54 AM
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Pepper_von_snoot - first of all I never stated they were not Italian. As you say in your country FALSE NEWS.
"comparing them to an olive oil made in NJ" - this oil is "made" in Italy but is a combination of oils from Italy, Spain Tunisia and elsewhere. A pure marketing ploy. It is the best "Italian" oil sold in the UK. You should know better than this if you pretend to know Italy well.
Thin - rather I think Thick
"comparing them to an olive oil made in NJ" - this oil is "made" in Italy but is a combination of oils from Italy, Spain Tunisia and elsewhere. A pure marketing ploy. It is the best "Italian" oil sold in the UK. You should know better than this if you pretend to know Italy well.
Thin - rather I think Thick
Sep 16th, 2017, 10:27 AM
#14
Excuse me. You stated not known in Italy.
Really Guiliana Camerino is not known in Italy? She is the most famous Italian designer to come out of Venice. She had her own store on 5th Avenue in New York City just steps from Cartier and Gucci.
Serapian is on the Via Spiga in Milano. This is a world-famous shopping street, akin to the Via Condotti or Sloane Street.
Come on. Stop the nonsense. Prada, Gucci, Armani is all over New York. You can even go on line and shop at Luisa Via Roma.
No need to go to Milan just to shop if you live in NYC.
I can buy saponi from F. Profumo Santa Maria Novella on line and have it sent to my home.
This is my point.
Thin
Really Guiliana Camerino is not known in Italy? She is the most famous Italian designer to come out of Venice. She had her own store on 5th Avenue in New York City just steps from Cartier and Gucci.
Serapian is on the Via Spiga in Milano. This is a world-famous shopping street, akin to the Via Condotti or Sloane Street.
Come on. Stop the nonsense. Prada, Gucci, Armani is all over New York. You can even go on line and shop at Luisa Via Roma.
No need to go to Milan just to shop if you live in NYC.
I can buy saponi from F. Profumo Santa Maria Novella on line and have it sent to my home.
This is my point.
Thin
Sep 16th, 2017, 11:14 PM
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Sorry, Thin, but I will have to disagree with you on some of your points about shopping in New York. You may be able to find most Italian brands in New York, but that's a far cry from finding the full selection they would have in Italy.
Brand example 1: Fontana Milano 1915. Barney's is the only U.S. vendor. But their selection is very limited -- even a cursory stop by the Milan flagship workshop/store would show that (it's the same story with Delvaux, although, of course Delvaux is a Belgian brand, not Italian).
Brand example 2: Dr Vranjes (F. Profumo Santa Maria Novella isn't the only game in town, you know), popular in Milan and Florence. It's very hard to find in New York and nobody carries the full line -- if they did, I wouldn't be dragging their Ambra refills back to the U.S. when I visit with friends in PA next week.
Even Ferragamo, widely available in the U.S., carries items in the Florence flagship store that aren't found elsewhere.
Anyway, ambience plays a role too. Sure, you can order a negroni in any decent cocktail bar in New York. But only in Florence can you drink one made in the bar where it was invented.
As for Foxtown, that's another thread. I've been there so many times I could write a dissertation on the place -- it's how I keep my husband stocked with Calida pajamas, Missoni socks, and Prada belts (plus a Fendi selleria messenger bag from a trip last year). Some of the stores offer great selections at very good value, others mehhh and still others should be avoided. To make the most of Foxtown shopping, you need a game plan targeting what interests you and your budget.
Brand example 1: Fontana Milano 1915. Barney's is the only U.S. vendor. But their selection is very limited -- even a cursory stop by the Milan flagship workshop/store would show that (it's the same story with Delvaux, although, of course Delvaux is a Belgian brand, not Italian).
Brand example 2: Dr Vranjes (F. Profumo Santa Maria Novella isn't the only game in town, you know), popular in Milan and Florence. It's very hard to find in New York and nobody carries the full line -- if they did, I wouldn't be dragging their Ambra refills back to the U.S. when I visit with friends in PA next week.
Even Ferragamo, widely available in the U.S., carries items in the Florence flagship store that aren't found elsewhere.
Anyway, ambience plays a role too. Sure, you can order a negroni in any decent cocktail bar in New York. But only in Florence can you drink one made in the bar where it was invented.
As for Foxtown, that's another thread. I've been there so many times I could write a dissertation on the place -- it's how I keep my husband stocked with Calida pajamas, Missoni socks, and Prada belts (plus a Fendi selleria messenger bag from a trip last year). Some of the stores offer great selections at very good value, others mehhh and still others should be avoided. To make the most of Foxtown shopping, you need a game plan targeting what interests you and your budget.
