The city of Milan is without a doubt the most important city for fashion in the world, and is home to Versace and Armani's design houses. The most upmarket boutiques are within the area known as Quadrilatero della Moda (square of style) around Via Della Spiga to the north of the Cathedral, but there are stores throughout the city where you can pick up the latest styles. If you want to pick up the best bargains, then head to Milan during one of the two main Milan sale seasons, the second two weeks in January, and the last two weeks in July offer good bargains throughout the city's many stores and discount shops.
Should you want to pick up some locally produced handicrafts, there are several flea markets around the city on a Saturday, and best known of these is the Viale Papiniano.
