As morning comes to the world’s most prosperous cities, you’ll see them emerge from their hotels into the light of the morning sun. They had a light breakfast: black coffee, maybe half a grapefruit, and whole-grain toast. They are dressed simply, often in black. They wear their hair tied back so that it doesn’t get disheveled during the long day that awaits them. In a rare concession to comfort over style, they wear flats. However, her makeup is flawless; they carry designer handbags, and the labels on the sunglasses they wear covering most of their faces or perched high on their heads, depending on the weather, have labels recognizable around the world. Late in the afternoon, they return, emerging from taxis that drop them off outside their hotels, a little more tired but flushed with triumph and laden with designer bags. A short break to take a shower and they go out again, this time to go to the most fashionable restaurants and cocktail bars in the city. Now the black clothes are gone, replaced by a rainbow variety of the latest fashion. Gone is the look of determination, too: they may even crack a smile if their partner admires a particularly stylish purchase. They’re the global shoppers: travelers who treat their vacations with a serious sense of purpose: it’s about stocking up on the latest and most desirable fashions that the style capitals of the world have to offer.
In Milan, you’ll find serious shoppers heading to Via Montenapoleone, where luxury lingerie brand La Perla is a mecca for women seeking the most beautiful and delicate silk and lace confections, and for men looking to treat the special. ladies who may or may not be his wives. The street is also home to Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton, Bottega Venezia, Gucci, Prada, Gianni Versace and Valentino, familiar names in the world of big-budget fashion. But Milan isn’t just for those whose platinum credit cards need some serious training. There are also great bargains to be found in the city: try Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, where designer outlet stores stock cut-price high fashion items at a fraction of the original cost. Or head to 10 Corso Como Outlet, where you’ll find pieces by Chloe, Helmut Lang and Comme des Garcons at bargain prices, though of course even at deep discounts, labels like these don’t come cheap.
Many visitors to Paris walk the streets of the French capital oblivious to the iconic Eiffel Tower looming over their heads, blind to the beauty of the Seine as it winds through the city, passing under the Arc de Triomphe with hardly any sight. look at. They are travelers on a mission: they are not here to see the sights of the city, but to walk through the glass doors of the department stores and luxury boutiques that line the streets of Paris, to brave the disdainful gaze of shop assistants. the shops, whose unerring eyes can spot a high street purchase in seconds, but whose advice on line and fit is always on the money. Fashionistas in Paris head to the resplendent counters of Printemps, Le Bon Marche and Galleries Lafayette, where floor after floor houses a fragrant profusion of clothes, shoes, bags and beauty products. Or there are the big international brands that have their flagship stores here: think Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Dior, as well as new kids in the district like Replay and Uniqlo. Wherever you go, you will surely leave the city with a much heavier suitcase and a much lighter bag.