Milan Stock Shops

Stock shops are the best possible solution for those who want beautiful designer clothes in Zara-like prices. At Milan stock shops have a special place. The situation though is a bit "hit or miss" as Americans say. You will either go crazy not knowing what to try first before your Korean competitors grab it or you will want to scream at your taxi driver for the 20 euros you wasted to go to a shop that sells rags. Then again, this is a risk every bargain hunter takes.

Hidden in Montenapoleone, D Magazin is by far the best quality stock shop in the city centre. The whole range of branded clothes, from Dior and YSL to Gucci and Prada and from accessories to suits are laid out in a decent environment. Prices aren't rock bottom but especially during sales you can find a lot of tempting things to buy. To illustrate this, I found a Versace leather jacket for 390 euros, a Gucci suit for 450 euros, a pair of Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses on offer for 80 euros, etc. What many people don't know is that D Magazin has a little brother on Forcella 13. That's off centre but in an area that has many model agencies and show-rooms. There the stock is often completely different and of course better bargains, as it is not so central. The regulars enjoy a further 10% off, while Annie the cashier is one of the few staff that speak decent English.

A big disappointment was IL Salvagente, which while was featured in every other shopping guide as a recommendation was -to say the least- unacceptable. Thousands of piled up clothes in such a way that makes browsing hard, low quality items, and staff that don't seem to care.

Smaller shops with brands of the Iceberg Jeans and Ferre Jeans variety, i.e. not main designer lines but rather diffusion lines, are Diecidecimi on Corso Buenos Aires (a high street full of shops like Benetton, Sisley, and Muji) and Vestistock. Both these have good prices both for men's and women's, but the clothes they stock are mostly casual, and often common.

Then there are the colourful Etro and Missoni. The Etro Outlet on Spartaco resembles a storage room and is stocked up to the ceiling. On two floors it has suit jackets and shirts to pillow cases and blankets as well as fabrics for home decoration. Its prices are cheaper than that of items of the running season but still not classified as low. Still, there are bargains to be found in there. Missoni Outlet on the other hand is dedicated to home-ware; some great towels and wonderful bathrobes. Some of the bargains I spotted were hand towels for...2,5 euro and bathrobes with 99 euro.

Out of Milan, other than the factories of Prada and Gucci that offer discounted goods, the ones that are mostly talked about are Serravalle and Fox Town, the latter being in Switzerland but still close to Milan.

Serravalle is the first stock village that opened in Italy and it is considered one of the largest in Europe featuring approximately 160 shops. From Calvin Clein Jeans and Asics to Prada and Versace, it has plenty of things to see and you need at least a day to explore it all but the stock there is in my opinion a bit middle of the road. The prices there are good and it will be appealing to those who have needs for basic pieces (e.g., a good classic coat) but not as much to people who seek truly unique pieces like those you find in a boutique. You can reach Serravalle relatively easy by taking a train from the Central Station and then grabbing a taxi. Of course, if you are anticipating to return full of shopping bags, a rented car is the best solution. The distance is about one and a half hour drive.

On the other hand, I thought that Fox Town is a lot closer to the concept of designer clothes, with better boutiques and more interesting things. At Gucci and Dior for example, there were a lot of attractive items at affordable prices. For example, a pair of Dior jeans for 120 euro, a coat for 400 euro, at Gucci scarfs for 70 euro, boots for 170 euro, and fabric bags for 200 euro. Among other shops, there are Bally, Boss, Versace, Etro, Missoni, Space with Prada, Miu Miu and lots more. There is also a Casino -as if the shopping expenses weren't enough- which will aid you in spending whatever funds you have remaining in your credit card. The suggested and most comfortable way to get there is to hire a chauffeur driven car at the price of 200 euro with three hour waiting service included. Of course, that can be extended at an extra cost.

Milan Stock Shops/Outlets Addresses

• Etro Outlet, Via Spartaco 3, Tel: 02-5502-0218
• Diecidecimi, Corso Buenos Aires 59 (MM1 Lima), Tel: 02-204-6782
• Vestistock Due, Via Ramazzini 11, Tel: 02-2951-4497
• D Magazine

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