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About LifeWear magazine Issue 11

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Milan:
Layers of
Style

On the classic streets of Milan,
LifeWear adds a layer of style.

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What characterizes
Milan style today?

Interview with Gianluca Cantaro

In my view, “Milan style” is a reflection of our social history. It’s especially apparent with men’s fashion. In contrast with tourist destinations like Venice and Florence, the city of Milan has long been a center of business. Until quite recently, it was the norm for lawyers and bankers, really anyone who did office work, to wear a classic suit. This was the baseline of fashion. For the last couple of decades, though, younger folks have done things differently. They might wear a hoodie underneath a jacket or incorporate sportswear like sweatpants. Worn properly, a light down vest makes a sharp casual addition to an outfit. In the days when figures like Gianni Agnelli (former head of Fiat) were the arbiters of style, choices a traditionalist might call a “mistake” were gradually accepted as new standards. This mix of orthodox and casual is at the heart of Milan style.

The women of Milan are very sensitive to trends. Lately it’s high waisted pants and wide-leg silhouettes. We’re seeing lots of cropped tops,with an emphasis on active, sporty styles.

Every time a fashion show like Pitti Uomo opens, pictures of well-dressed attendees spread throughout the world. But that’s only a slice of the industry. If you want to see “real” Milan style, you’ll have to look elsewhere. We tend to favor subdued colors like blue and charcoal. Moderation is a virtue. It’s considered chic for accent colors to be concentrated in small areas, like the socks or a handkerchief.

Up through the early twentieth century, even kids wore suits to mass. I got my sense for fashion from the classics that my parents bought me and from grown-ups around town. These days, you rarely see a kid wearing a suit. Especially since the 2000s, our fashion icons have tended toward a relaxed, casual look. I think UNIQLO fits so well into the Milan style of today because it’s basic in the best sense of the word. It’s easy for people to make UNIQLO a part of their personal style.

Gianluca CantaroFashion Journalist

Born in 1971 in Italy, Gianluca has been a mainstay of fashion writing in Italy and beyond since the 1990s. After working as senior editor for D-la Repubblica delle donne, he became deputy editor in chief at L’Uomo Vogue, and in 2014 he became editor in chief of L’Officiel Italia and L’Officiel Hommes Italia. Today, he’s active as a freelance journalist. Gianluca is a fan of Japanese culture, especially anime.

  • Illustration by Adrian Hogan
  • Text by UNIQLO
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