Pitti Uomo started yesterday, and with it, the semi-annual deluge of street style photos. I’ve mostly stopped paying attention over the years, as attendees seem to dress wackier and wackier, although there’s one guy who always catches my eye (when someone is able to photograph him, anyway). We’ll call him Our Mystery Man because … well, there’s not that much info about him. He’s supposedly a Japanese rep for some Italian brands, but no one seems know anything beyond that. (Also, “Our Mystery Man” is catchier than “Supposedly a Japanese Rep for Some Italian Brands”).
Instead of the loud colors and wacky patterns you see on other Pitti Uomo attendees, Our Mystery Man mostly relies on solid dark blues and mid-grays. Shoes are almost always brown suede, although the occasional sneaker or driving loafer makes an appearance. And although there are often hints of #menswear in his style – such as the short trousers that echo Thom Browne or the pairing of tailored clothing with casualwear – he always looks great. Even when he pulls off unusual combinations, such as that time he was photographed in a gray herringbone sport coat with semi-matching, but not quite there, gray trousers. Is this true sprezzatura by a man who manages to look regal no matter what? Like his identity, I suppose we’ll never know.
If you’re interested in following more Pitti street style coverage, Neo Retro Street Style, EFV, and Journal of Style are worth a follow. All three have slightly more classic – if not at least conservative – bends than other photographers. I also really like Tommy Ton’s work over at Style.com, but mostly when he’s shooting streetwear, rather than the unconventional takes on tailored clothing. For editorial coverage, you can follow the UK edition of GQ and this StyleForum tag (you’ll have to be a StyleForum member to subscribe). Voxsartoria is also doing parody news reports from his Twitter account, which is often more amusing than reality.
(Photos via Tommy Ton, The Sartorialist, Journal of Style, Neo Retro Street Style, and Dirnelli)