Milan – a true mecca for shoppers. Fashion lovers from all over the world come here because this is where trends are born. In Milan you can buy the freshest looks, with the last button seemingly sewn on only yesterday in the ateliers of D&G, Versace, Prada, Gucci, and Fendi... And if you know where and when the seasonal sales begin, you can score major discounts too!

The big sales in Milan happen twice a year: in winter (from January to February) and in summer (from July to August). During these periods, discounts on clothing and accessories range from 30–70%. In the first week of the sales, the markdowns are usually only about 30%, but that is also when the selection is widest. Stores are packed with shoppers, and getting into a fitting room can feel like storming the Bastille. Sometimes the crowds are so intense that security guards let only 5–10 people into a shop at a time. Still, the lucky ones get first pick of the prettiest bags, shoes, dresses, and much more.

As time goes on, the discounts get bigger and bigger, but finding the right style and size becomes much harder.

Good to know: Keep an eye on the signs that appear in shop windows. “Vendite promozionali” or “Sconti” mean “promotional prices” or “discounts.” But the very best prices are where you see "Liquidazioni", meaning a total clearance before closing. There is one more interesting sign – “Entrata libera,” which invites you to come in and browse freely. Admit it – not everyone would dare walk into an exclusive boutique just to try on, say, a Brioni suit.

Keep in mind that if you are planning a sale-season trip to Milan, it is best not to wait too long to buy your plane tickets. That is true whether you want to fly right before the sales or six months in advance. Snagging tickets at the last minute is not easy – you are not the only one dreaming of huge discounts :) Buying flights early is far more economical: typically the lowest prices appear about six months or 3–4 months before the trip.

Even if you arrive right at the start of the sales, you can still run into closed days or siesta hours. So we recommend memorizing the schedules of brand boutiques and major outlets like the back of your hand.

Most Milan shops open at 9:30 a.m. and stay open until 7:30 p.m. Sunday and Monday morning are days off. In Italy, the midday break is called a siesta, and it lasts much longer than an hour – usually from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Large department stores and the boutiques of the fashion quadrilateral do not allow themselves that luxury – they work without breaks or days off. They make up for it in August, though, when many shops close entirely for about two weeks during Ferragosto – a national holiday in Italy.

By the way: If you do not speak Italian, there is no need to worry – almost all salespeople speak English. And in many shops you hear Russian almost as often as the local language.

There is no real point in exchanging currency or withdrawing cash from ATMs either – in most shops you can pay by credit card. A list of accepted cards is usually posted near the register.

Well, is the idea of a trip to Milan starting to feel more real? ;) And do you remember that Italy is part of the Schengen Area? If your visa has long since expired – or has never made it into your passport at all – you definitely need to arrange one before the trip.

We have already mentioned the fashion quadrilateral boutiques – the name given to the branded stores inside the rectangle formed by Via Sant’Andrea, Via Della Spiga, Via Montenapoleone, and Via Monzani. Within this district you will find flagship stores for Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Valentino, Dolce&Gabbana, Missoni, Versace, and Armani. Incidentally, the last two couturiers were both born in Milan.

But the most important shopping spot – the place you should head to first – is Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Missing this landmark is like going to Moscow and never setting foot on Red Square. Just keep in mind that the prices in this shopping gallery in central Milan are very much in line with its location.

If you want branded pieces at lower prices, head for the outlets. One of the best is Serravalle, about 100 km from Milan. It has the widest selection of stores – around 180 in all – including both luxury brands and more affordable labels. The main advantage of outlets is that last year's collections are sold there with 30–70% discounts, and during seasonal sales they get an additional 20–50% off. That means you can pick up great jackets and coats for just 70–100 euros, sweaters for 50 euros, and branded jeans that usually cost 100 euros for roughly half price.

And if you find it hard to tell what should cost what, we recommend using a professional shopping consultant. No one in the city knows better where to find the best items and the most attractive discounts.

Important: Look for boutiques marked “Euro Free Tax.” There you can show your passport, fill out a simple form, and the shop will deduct VAT from your purchase. In Italy this tax starts at 12%, and on luxury goods such as fur and jewelry it can reach – 35%. There is one catch, though: your total purchase must be at least 154.94 euros.

One simple tip people often forget: try to find a hotel close to the places where you plan to shop. For example, the area around Buenos Aires Street is home to several hundred (!) shops and boutiques. It is convenient to stay nearby – the shopping is close at hand, and getting back with giant bags takes no time at all. You will even save a couple of dozen euros on public transport or taxis – enough for a new blouse ;)

And finally: if you have never been to Milan before, we recommend reading our short city overview, where we collected the key things to know before heading to the northern capital of Italy. And if you still have time and energy left after shopping to explore Milan's sights, use the interactive city map or one of these ready-made walking routes:

And do not forget to download the free Ever.Travel mobile app! Just like in the planner on the website, you can add places you like to your favorites and build a route between them. But unlike the web version, you can take the mobile guide with you wherever you go. No more heavy paper guidebooks or awkward printouts of tips from the internet!

In the Ever.Travel app you will also find an audio guide to Milan Duomo that costs several times less than the official one. Those saved euros will come in handy when it is time to buy a brand-new handbag, won't they? ;)

Photo: Roman Yudkin, shaztech