These pictures from Milan have been sitting in my WD drive for months, waiting — almost screaming — to see daylight. I didn’t quite know how to write about my flying visit to this Lombardy darling (it was only a weekend), until one Sunday afternoon…
At the members’ bar at Tate Britain, overlooking the spectacular London skyline, a man lamented the demise of white-collar — Canary Wharf, City-girl — fashion in the capital.
“Have you seen women in their work clothes and sports shoes? They bring their heels in their bags and change at the office — that’s like cheating!”
Such discerning remarks, such a punchy analogy. Say grazie, signore, and hello to a born-and-bred Milanese in London.
Tasteful design and impeccable craftsmanship on honey-coloured, luscious leather — alongside fabulous coffee, art galleries, good wine, wonderful pizza and pasta… shopping! — all in a city festooned with suave, stylish and somehow fashionably cold, aloof people.
As if I needed any more reasons to justify my decamping to Milan during that bloody depressing post-New Year winter.
Amen to Milan!
My brother did most of the planning for this trip, and we were thrilled to have secured tickets to see The Last Supper. Knowing that the weather might be a little gloomy that weekend, I decided to throw together some winter pastels (yes, pastels aren’t just reserved for spring), in the hope of bringing a small burst of colour into my travel pictures.
But that clearly wasn’t necessary…
Don’t expect the grand, glorious romance of Rome. Milan is all about fuss-free, forward identities and newfangled ideas. Milanese zip in and out of business meetings as though they are strapped with time bombs, their lean bodies powered by bullets of espresso.
They don’t mind having their aperitivo standing, make no small talk with strangers, and pride themselves on productivity, productivity, and productivity.
They dress to impress — and I kid you not, in one city guide’s tips page, it actually said: “Dress well and you are likely to be treated better.”
After all, what do you expect from the world’s fashion capital? One that claims to have surpassed the messy, mysterious Parisians, the eccentric Londoners, and the all-hail-Lululemon New Yorkers…
Given my two short days there, I didn’t quite manage to dive deeply into their culture. But from what I saw, attitude and arrogance were in spades — and their fashion sensibilities were hardly out of kilter. (So I suggest you don’t ruffle their furs… haha, had to be said.)
I may need to do a little more research, scout out a few more Milanese in London… or simply make another trip back. Ah — a return trip. That sounds like a pleasantly tempting idea.
I’ll come back with a food post I know you’ll be hungry to read, but until then, let me go and check my calendar…
With love,
x