Most Wanted: Inspired By Milan Fashion Week

Milanese style is many things: polished, eccentric, playful, decadent…but one thing it isn’t is predictable. There’s always an element of surprise, whether it’s a statement accessory, an eye-catching color or a sculptural silhouette. From fashion editors and designers to city aesthetes, the street-style set has a knack for putting together effortlessly chic outfits that balance timeless Italian glamour with a characterful twist.

But of all the tastemakers, few embody true Milanese style better than the sciura: those women of a certain age with impeccable taste and enviable handbag collections, who can often be spotted sipping an aperitivo at the legendary Bar Basso in vintage fur coats and kitten heels. Channel their timeless elegance with Valentino Garavani’s fuchsia-pink silk midi skirt, either styled with a nipped-in blazer or Marni’s leopard-jacquard wool coat from the fall/winter ’26 runway. Next, slip on Gianvito Rossi’s white leather ‘Sofia’ pumps, adding a maximalist touch via Valentino Garavani’s pearl and crystal ‘Hypergoutte’ necklace.

There is always a place for denim in the city, as long as it feels a little dressed up. Take model Mariacarla Boscono, for instance, who wore jeans for the first day of Milan Fashion Week, elevated with an embellished tweed jacket and glossy flats. It’s a formula NET-A-PORTER’s shopping editor, Viktorija Tomasevic, will be adopting this season.

“I rely on denim for most of my day-to-day looks (straight-leg jeans are my go-to) but whenever I’m in Milan, I feel inspired to step out of my comfort zone, and I love the bootcut shape of Gucci’s pair,” she says. “I’ll be wearing mine with a T-shirt and Bottega Veneta’s intrecciato leather jacket to the shows this season, adding Jil Sander’s mint patent-leather slingbacks and Valentino Garavani’s oversized square-frame sunglasses for extra polish.” As for evening, Tomasevic suggests styling Gucci’s jeans with Dolce&Gabbana’s satin-trimmed lace camisole and a red lip.