Pitti Uomo 104: Top Street Style Trends
Our review on the biggest trends from menswear’s biggest trade show
Twice a year Pitti Uomo brings together the menswear industry’s most important players; from brands to retailers to manufacturers to fabric mills and anyone else lucky enough to receive an invitation.
As the 104th edition of the revered trade show is now in the books, we take a look back at some of the most eye-catching trends attendees were wearing throughout the event.
Supplying style insight and snaps from street-level is photographer and menswear writer Marc Richardson (@shooting.people), who was in Florence to see how Pitti Uomo 104 went down first-hand.
Double-Breasted Jackets
If you can count on Pitti Uomo for one thing, it’s that the tailoring community will be well represented, and this summer many seemed to be embracing double-breasted designs. “As far as I’m concerned, the best suit jacket for the heat is a double-breasted one because it still looks elegant when worn unbuttoned,” says Richardson. “Everybody should have one in their wardrobe.”
Rugged Looks
Pitti Uomo isn’t just about tailoring, it’s also a great place to spot amazing vintage pieces too. “There’s always a juxtaposition between men in great tailoring and men in vintage or vintage-looking workwear and military clothes,” says Richardson. This edition of Pitti had some textbook examples of high-low contrasts between polished looks and worn-in heirlooms. “Chore coats, well-worn jeans, and olive drab jackets always look good — and the best part is they’re the types of pieces that will look better the more you wear them.”
Neckwear
No matter if outfits were rugged or refined, we also noticed many men sporting various forms of neckwear this June too. “Whether silk scarves, cotton bandanas, or beaded necklaces, accessorizing the neckline proved a convenient way to inject colour and pattern,” says Richardson. And they’re a breeze to wear, too. “What’s nice is they work with something a bit more formal — think a suit with a T-Shirt — or with something simple to beat the heat — like shorts and a T-shirt.”
Loafers
Calling loafers a ‘trend’ might sound a little counter-intuitive, but they were easier than ever to spot this particular summer. “They look great with jeans, or a suit. They’re the perfect summer hard-bottomed shoe,” says Richardson. Some modern loafer enthusiasts even stayed true to age-old traditions. “I also noticed a few people putting actual pennies in their loafers,” adds Richarson.
Red
“If there was one colour that stood out at Pitti, it would’ve been red,” says Richardson, whose eye was being constantly drawn to the colour in many different capacities. “Bengal stripe shirting, crocheted tops, polos, accessories, caps, casual sneakers … there was plenty of it to go around, and innumerable ways of wearing it.” Besides, red always complements Florence’s iconic terracotta rooftops.