Balling on a Budget
With Milan being one of the most expensive places to live in Italy, but also one of the most trend-oriented ones, here is a guide on cute fashion shops to go to on a budget
by Julia Provost and Rose St. Hillaire
A great resource to read about fashion shops for less in Milan is at flawlessmilano.com
https://www.flawlessmilano.com/
Cavalli e Nastri
A Vintage Shop Made New
https://cavallienastri.com/pages/about-us
Cavalli e Nastri is one of the newest favorites. This is a vintage shop run by the same group of people, however, they have three different shops. In each of these shops, there’s a different feel to the clothing. One shop is more dedicated to male clothing, but the two other shops have vintage clothes that conform with new styles as well. In these shops you can find clothing from XIX century, and also clothes from now. This brand also does pop up shops.
One of Cavalli e Nastri’s claim to fames is that it has luxury vintage clothing. These stores have amazing brands that would be extremely expensive if bought new, and at full price. Cavalli is interesting because not only can someone shop there, but they are also able to sell old clothing items. Their three stores are located as follows: Via Brera 2, Via Giacomo Mora 3, Via Giacomo Mora 12. Each store of theirs has its own specialty. At Via Brera, Cavalli sells both vintage clothes, as well as new clothes. This is the only one of the three that sells new items. The second shop, at Giacomo Mora 3, has the most extensive vintage selection. The third store is along the same street, at Giacomo Mora 12. This store sells men’s vintage clothing, as well as furniture. There is something for everyone at these shops. Many Milan natives also note this store for having amazing vintage wedding dresses. Most items in this store are reasonably priced, especially for luxury items. Cavalli also has its own brand, which can be found in the store as well, with prices ranging from around $30 to $300, depending on the item.
Wait and See
Wait and See What Eclectic Pieces This Store Has
The second shop that was stumbled upon is called Wait and See. This shop is eclectic; there are pieces here ranging from a multitude of patterns and colors. Wait and See not only has pieces from Milano, but also carries vintage items from all over the world. The founder of the shop is a fashion professional, so she has items in the store that were either handcrafted for her by designers, or simply cool items she found from her time working. This is a store like no other because of the plethora of colors, patterns, and materials that are found here. Wait and See is located at via Santa Marta 14, in the fifth neighborhood district in Milan. The store is actually a former convent, turned into shop, which gives it an extremely unique feel for customers. It is a combination of cozy and historical. Wait and See has a cheap selection of expensive items. This store believes that luxury items should not only be “determined by their price.” So, they offer amazing items at affordable pricing.
Frip
Quality Over Quantity Fashion
Frip was recommended to us by a friend, so while it is still not a “mainstream” shop, it is definitely a growing one. In this store, one can find European style like no other. Frip commits itself to a standard that most modern-day shops do not: they ensure that their clothing will outlive the person wearing the piece. Frip is known for the quality of their products, and the vast selection they also provide. Frip is also an incredible place to find shoes, and is a multi-sex store. This store is located at Corso di Porta Ticinese. They sell clothes for children, women, and men. Within these categories, they sell avant-garde, contemporary, or high-end items. This store is neat because it focuses on international clothing, and other items. Some of the various international pieces they sell are ACNE jeans, Burfitt, Hope, Ann-Sofie Black, and many more. Frip is also known for selling international CD’s and magazines, which makes the store quite different from most fashion shops. The prices here range, because they do sell cheap items, but also high-end, more expensive ones as well.
Wok
Wok In and Be Amazed
Wok is in one of our favorite areas, Navigli at 5a Via Col di Lana. In this part of town, you can enjoy shopping alongside the water, and afterward can eat/drink at some of the best restaurants/bars in Milan. The feeling of this area is one thing that gives Wok its charm. However, the shop does that on its own. Wok was actually created by a couple who dreamt of fashion designers and artists coinciding in one shop. So, thus Wok was born. This shop has art and fashion, all of which are designed to get the attention of the shopper in a non-conventional way. The owners of the store created blogs about fashion, and learned more about art and fashion in general by collaborating with magazines, writers, and artists. Their store now focuses mostly on e-commerce, graphic design, and of course, their shop is design-oriented.
