Vintage in Milan is much more than a passing fashion, the novelty is that now the new generations are hunting for it.
In the guide of Cecilia Cottafavi, author of the blog Maertens Milano 'Some like vintage' (Bookabook), the author proposes dedicated itineraries for three days.
Here they are with his words (excerpt kindly granted by the publishing house)
First day: the vintage district
Every large city has an area where vintage shops and markets are concentrated. Could he miss it in Milan? Of course not! The vintage heart of Milan has a wide range that goes from the Navigli to the columns of San Lorenzo. Here you can find clothing stores and modern antiques, antique bookstores, vinyl shops and clubs with a retro atmosphere. Tracing a hypothetical route from the Porta Genova metro stop, you will find these clothing shops: Humana, Pourquoi Moi Vintage, Mauro Bolognesi (it is actually a modern antique shop, but also sells designer second-hand clothes), Guendj, Sous Vintage and PWC. For those interested in music there are Dischivolanti and Il Discomane where you can buy vinyls and old magazines on the subject. Staying on the subject of "old magazines" you will also find an antiques bookshop:Undated books. Finally, the Sinigaglia fair takes place every Saturday along the Naviglio Grande and the Antiques Market every last Sunday of the month. Now head to corso di Porta Ticinese, which offers several interesting shops: Alice's mirror for vintage clothing, Serendeepity for vinyls, Scaldasole books and Alfea for second-hand and antique books. Once you arrive at the columns of San Lorenzo, take via Gian Giacomo Mora: after having a look at the three clothing shops, Groupies Vintage, Bivio Milano and Cavalli e Nastri, you can end your tour with an aperitif at the Raboucer, a room with only vintage furniture. If, on the other hand, it is still early for an aperitif, you can take a trip to via de Amicis where, to conclude with a flourish, you will find another Humana Vintage office.The thing I love most about this area is that, despite the large amount of shops, each one has its own style and caters to a different target: the skiers will prefer Cavalli and Nastri, the more eccentric boys PWC and Groupies, the young women Pouquoi Moi Vintage and Sous Vintage. It is definitely the best neighborhood to start exploring the vintage side of Milan.
Second day: Brera
is one of the most enchanting districts of Milan, its picturesque charm does not go unnoticed. However, it is also renowned for having very expensive clubs and shops. As for the world of vintage, there is a wide range of choices, with places recommended for those with a high spending budget and others within everyone's reach. Starting from the surroundings of the Brera academy, I recommend starting the tour from via Ciovasso, where you will find two shops, Urzì and Bottega Rossa, suitable for all budgets. Proceeding towards Moscova, you will meet Surplus, a perfect shop for young people, with low prices. Before continuing the tour, I invite you to walk a few meters in the same street to stop for lunch at Le Cotolette and enjoy the typical dish of the Milanese tradition. After you have satiated you will be ready to admire the most expensive shops:Cavalli e Nastri, Madame Pauline, Lampoo and Vintage Delirium. I invite you to take a tour of Vintage Delirium even if it is over budget: it looks like a real dress museum, not to be missed!
Third day: the center
The center of Milan is an area with a high density of vintage bars: in fact it is the second most well-stocked after the Navigli. Contrary to what one might think, the shops are accessible to everyone (with a few small exceptions). For convenience, I recommend starting from Piazza del Duomo and immediately visit Humana Vintage and Napoleone: they are the most suitable places for young people, even if even some mothers (like mine) love them! At this point you have two options: go towards via Torino and enter the Cinque Vie or continue towards piazza Missori and arrive as far as Crocetta. If you opt for the first route, you have as your first stop Foto Veneta Ottica, a shop entirely dedicated to the sale of vintage new old stock eyewear. Then, take via Valpetrosa: here you will meet The Cloister,a concept store that in the summer overlooks a Bramante courtyard. I especially recommend it to skiers with a good budget. A few steps away, in via San Maurilio, is MyRoom, lively and colorful, suitable for young girls. Finally, taking a few more steps you can meet Vesto Milano, the paradise of second-hand shoes. For those who have decided to follow the path that goes from Piazza Missori to Crocetta, I recommend starting your tour by taking Corso di Porta Romana: along the way you will meet Viganò1919, a historic workshop dedicated to embroidery material, and Nanni Antichità, a small antique dealer who sells beautiful accessories. At this point, you can have a snack at Margy, an exquisite hamburger shop opened in 1968 in Piazza Santo Stefano.Otherwise you can continue towards Corso Italia: here you will meet Alice in Vintage, a clothing store that was once an antique dealer. Another option is to continue walking towards Porta Romana, recharge with a sweet at the Dolcevita pastry shop and visit Archetipo Milano, a splendid vintage and second-hand designer shop.