This is how you recognize a Milanese

I have been to Milan more times than I can count on my hands and knees, but now that I am here with my Milan virgin Liesbeth, I see the Milanese ladies with a bit more objective eyes. Because a Milanese is a completely different cookie than the Parisienne.

Down to earth

No 12 centimeter heels for the Milanese. Way too much hassle on the cobblestones of Via Montenapoleone or the air filters on Corso Venezia. She chooses a ballerina from Céline or a classic Tod’s to match her look. “Commodo,” as the Italians say, and still fashionable. Moreover, Italian men are not that tall, so this is the perfect shoe. At least for daytime.

French but visible

The Milanese prefers to wrap and adorn herself in French brands, but preferably with a visible label. A bright red mattelassé from Chanel, the Metamorphose from Hermès with a visible H stamped in the leather, Louis Vuitton bags but preferably with the LV monogram pattern, a body warmer from Chanel, and sunglasses from Céline. French chic but all a bit visible, please. Understated is not their middle name.

Go ahead and smoke

Where you can't smoke anywhere in New York or can only smoke where you can't drink, in Milan it's a steaming coziness. Even in so-called inner gardens (with a little roof) smoking is often allowed, and in the hotel, we were even asked if we wanted to sleep fumatori or non-fumatori. So smoking, because it's cozy, keeps you slim, and well, because it's just incredibly where Milan meets Paris.

Heavily made up

Where French and New York women characterize themselves by an understated chic and a done undone makeup, here all the drawers of the dresser are turned upside down. Foundation, eyebrows, lashes, lips, everything, everything is done.

Good hair

The hair is colored and styled. Not messy like with our French friends, but polished and voluminous. Sometimes there might be a clip in it that we don't quite understand.

All in the Max coat

By that, I don't mean my coat from Máxima but the iconic wool Max Mara coat. What am I saying, coat? I mean of course a cloak.