This is a Guest Post from Philippe Perzi Vienna.
Well, the Pitti Uomo ‘Ping Pong’ party is over and after 3 days of eating, sleeping and breathing all things menswear, we can finally take a breath.
The Pitti Uomo fair has always been one of the major menswear events on the fashion calendar, and for the Philippe Perzi Vienna team, attendance is mandatory. With the advent of social media, the Pitti Uomo fair has been catapulted into a ‘place to be seen’ event, with the entire town of Florence transformed into a giant catwalk and an absolute street style bonanza. But it’s not all posing and preening, with most of these impeccably dressed men there to attend the Pitti Uomo fair, where connections are made, orders are placed and the sartorial standards are set for the next season. The Pitti Uomo fair is truly an international event, with the big luxury brand names sitting side-by-side new and upcoming fashion designers.
This year’s theme of “Pitti ping pong” was a great backdrop for the increasingly blurred lines between sport and fashion, but of course, the classic masculine lines and healthy doses of ‘sprezzatura’ that the Italians are so famous for was the overwhelming takeaway.
So, now that the peacocks have flown the coop, the Prosecco has run dry and the sun has set on yet another successful Pitti Uomo fair, here are some of our picks for what you’ll be wearing next Spring/Summer, as well as some of our favorite street style looks from the Pitti Uomo 86.
1. Gelato is the answer
who cares what the question is
It’s still very much about vibrant and fresh colours across the full spectrum of the color wheel, but the tone has been turned down a notch for next Spring/Summer. Rather than the striking bold block colours of previous seasons, men at the Pitti Uomo fair favoured statement jackets (single and double breasted) and trousers in pastels and gelato colours. Like a kid in a candy store, take your pick from pistachio green and aqua, flamingo pink, orange and lemon.
There is also a trend towards a more faded or washed look on everything; from jackets to trousers to ties, often achieved through different weaves and materials.
2. Crusing in neutral
There were lots of neutral and earthy tones at the Pitti Uomo fair. The color palette ranged from olive greens, sage, bronze, latte and never did beige look so good. Far from boring or safe, this color palette can be easily paired back to pastels and bold colours, or for those who dare, worn head to toe in different shades by playing with texture and fabrics. Layering in neutral tones was a key look sported by many dapper men at the Pitti Uomo fair.
3. White noise
White trousers dominated over the course of the 3 days at the Pitti Uomo fair, re-affirming their place as a summer wardrobe essential. Forget the criticism Pitbull copped at the World Cup opening ceremony. When worn correctly, like the men at the Pitti Uomo fair, white trousers are a sartorial success. We lost count of the number of white-trousered gents at the Pitti Uomo fair, all looking sensational.
Versatile, fresh and a great anchor from which to build the rest of your outfit, white trousers can be teamed with navy for a classic nautical look and/or worn with pastels and earth tones to be right on trend next Spring/Summer.
4. Mirror, Mirror on the Pitti Wall…
Sunglasses with fluro-coloured reflective lenses were worn by everyone at the Pitti Uomo fair. But more than just a practical accessory, these sunnies really stole the show, drawing attention to the face and conveniently, also doubling as a mirror from which to preen oneself. The key look this Spring/Summer is thick frames and rounder rims, ranging from plastic to velvet, in strong bold colours like blue, red and yellow as well as tortoiseshell. And the more reflective the lenses the better.
5. Pumped up kicks
Whilst the all time favorite of Pitti men, the double monk straps, were out in full force, as were the slippers we’ve seen these past few seasons, so many men at the Pitti Uomo fair wore sneakers – both with suits and with more casual ensembles. But forget the cringe-worthy image of a city executive in new balance joggers, powerwalking his way to work in a suit, the men of Pitti pulled off the dressed down, dressed up look with aplomb, wearing everything from fluro Nike airmax to espadrilles and slip-on canvas shoes. You may not be brave enough to wear them with a suit, but with tailored, casual trousers and shorts or denim, you’ll be right on trend.
6. Keep a look out for camouflage
It’s not the intention of many men to ‘blend into the crowd’ at the Pitti Uomo fair, but there was a fair amount of camouflage about this year. Men were wearing camouflage on jackets, ties and trousers as well as around the rims of sunglasses. You can go with original shades of green like a dandy military man, or try bolder patterns incorporating blues or pinks.
7. Male Pattern Awesomeness
It was as apparent on the street as it was in the stands at the Pitti Uomo fair, that prints are everywhere. Expect to see small prints on shirts and ties, such as dots and paisley to anything ranging from palm trees to skulls to cutlasses and other pirate motifs. Men at the Pitti Uomo fair wore both large and small patterns, but for a more refined look, smaller patterns on shirts and ties will make a stylish impression and is generally easier to match with the rest of your outfit.
Small prints are also great for the more conservative amongst you as it’s only under microscopic inspection that you realize what you’re looking at.
Injecting a bit of pattern into your wardrobe adds to your arsenal and is a good way to lighten things up for summer.
8. I’d like to meet his tailor…
Classics are classics for a reason and although you may be forgiven for thinking the Pitti Uomo fair is all about wearing the most fashion-forward outfits, plenty of men were rocking exquisitely tailored and classic suits, ranging from darker navy to more vivid azure, charcoal and in windowpane check. In many cases, these were actually the men who really stood out amongst the sea of peacocks. The difference between a well-cut suit and something bought off the rack is stark and often it’s not always about keeping up with the latest trends, but rather paying homage to classic masculine lines.
The Philippe Perzi Vienna collection promises timeless quality, individuality and vibrant colours and styles rarely seen in today’s mass market. The origins of the label are firmly rooted in European tailoring which gives their collection that enduring sense of sophistication demanded by todays modern gentlemen.
