A Walk Down {Milan} Memory Lane.

I don’t know what I was hoping to find by gong back to Milan on my 7 year anniversary in Italy. The trip certainly helped me realize you can’t relive the past so you should really enjoy the present. I’ve blogged here about why I chose Milan as the city to settle in.

The mood of the city was not the same as when I was living there discovering it for the first time. Still incredible, and beautiful….actually more beautiful than what I had remembered…..but different.

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We were only there for three very packed days, and on the Sunday before we left I really wanted to visit the area that meant the most to me while living in Milan;

Le Colonne di San Lorenzo, where I would hangout, feel like an Italian hipster, go for aperitivos and “blend” and

Corso di Porta Ticinese where I would go vintage shopping or look for sample sale deals while refusing to shop at the big luxury stores. By “refusing” I mean I was newly poor again, having spent all my money moving to Milan and working in a Bar under the table, not yet used to Italy’s low wages!

Le Colonne di San Lorenzo

Most people don’t realize that there are Roman ruins EVERYWHERE in Italy and not just in Rome. Actually , when you think about it Europe is filled with Roman ruins!

These columns are one of the best known Roman ruins in Milan, but now a days you’ll find that they are a more important hangout spot than cultural spot. On sunny days you’ll find them filled with hipsters, sleek milanese business types and street kids alike. I wouldn’t spend that much time at the actual columns but I would use them to orient myself.

This is where you will find many cheap aperitivo bars filled with locals and students and the after work crowd. I used to work in Brera, a very posh area of Milan, but after work I hated staying there as the vibe was a little snob….curated, but snob none the less.

One of my favourite memories of Milan was finding a little corner bar/cafe that had a 7 euro all you can eat aperitivo buffet (including cocktail). I would go up to the second storey with my journal (the days before blogging), sit, have a drink alone and write. As I passed the same place this time around I realized that it would be impossible to relive that time of my life, but I’m glad I still remember where it is !

This is where you’ll find small independent boutiques, American Apparel and along the Corso di Porta Ticinese tons of vintage shops selling everything your vintage heart desires.

Corso di Porta Ticinese

One thing you will notice in Milan is that Italy’s Fashion capital has no lack of places to shop at! The other thing you’ll notice is that most of those places are ridiculously expensive. One solution is the Corso di Porta Ticinese.

It is a mix of Chinese clothing stores, vintage and used clothing stores, army surplus, sell-offs and sample sales. Personally, I think the best deals are the sample sale stores, where you can find Italian brand name shoes and clothes at under 25 euro.

Outside of one of these stores is where I met this week’s Real Dad!

Real Dad Street Style

He was waiting outside of one of the shops for his lady to come out while watching their baby in a super stylish stroller. I really liked his style, perhaps because it was so non-Milan but so perfectly Corso Ticinese!

I started chatting with him and found out that he’s actually from Bologna but has been living in Milan for quite a long time. He assured me that his runners, jeans and laid back style was purely because it was Sunday.

One of the things I love about Italian style in general, but specifically men’s style is their ability to use accessories with no fear. This guy knows how to tie a scarf and he’s not afraid to use it. I’ve written before about the Italian fear of drafts and catching a chill here.

The Coatigan

These half sweater half coat – COATIGANS are everywhere in Italy, and I don’t think they’re going anywhere fast. I’ve written before about the Coatigan and about Montgomery Duffle coats here, and where to get the original look for less.

Are these popular anywhere else? Please fill me in as I’ve been living in an Italian vacuum!

I really liked this guy’s unpretentious Sunday style. He looks cool with just a few key details. Style inspiration for any dad who needs to update their look from a standard hooded sweatshirt and big technical outdoor jacket (come on guys you know who I’m talking about!) to something a little more urban.

Simple running shoes, jeans that are NOT TOO LONG, a sweater duffle coat aka coatigan, a cotton or linen scarf tied simply and a nice beanie (toque if you are Canadian!).

I don’t know why there is this misconception that to take care of how you look makes you less of a man. This guy is not trying too hard but he looks great and very masculine.

A Weekend in Milan

And that’s it for today. If you plan on going to Milan for the EXPO2015 check out this part of the city. Much less touristy and filled with cool places to hangout and shop. For the rest of January I will be sharing all about my favorite spots in Milan and a nice itinerary for a weekend getaway plus lots of gluten free restaurant options. If you happen to see yesterday’s post you know that I’m starting a new Gluten Free in Italy series on the blog and you can follow along with my new gluten free social media accounts here.

Now onto YOUR style…

#REASONSTODRESS Real Mom Street Style Linkup

Thank you to everyone who linked up last week! If you would like to co-host the #reasonstodress linkup I would love to have you, please feel free to email me at [email protected] !