Pitti Uomo, the men's fashion and style mecca, recently opened its doors for four days in Florence's Fortezza. And as always in January, it became the center of attention not only for fashion business insiders. Photos full of perfectly coordinated, thoughtful and sometimes questionable tastes of visitors flew around the world and finally landed on the pages of our Journal last week.
But every year, it becomes harder and harder to distinguish the best of the season from the tangle of fancy men. So while the Pitti glitz spends its time outside its gates, we've taken a look inside to bring you the very best that the fashion mages have prepared. Without further ado, here are some tips to help you be the best dressed man of late winter .
Manchester, or the seventies
Whether you like it or not, corduroy is back. And not soft and subtle, but rough and sassy, just like in the seventies. And even those of us who resist it this season, let's know that we will soon succumb to it. It is pleasant, warm and, despite its overall character , fits perfectly into today's mix of street and elegant fashion . Incorporate it into your wardrobe with dark trousers or a jacket. Or if corduroy has convinced you, know that Italians also like shirts made from it.
Shirts a'la Salvador Dali
In recent years, bold and patterned shirts have been the domain of Mr. James May. Wait a moment, feel free to google him…
One of the most striking trends at this year's Pitti, stretching as far as the eye could see, were prints, starting with large blue dots and ending with patterns of Egyptian paintings .
Similar to corduroy, there is that reference to the seventies here. However, the key is the combination of other pieces of clothing that will guarantee that, unlike James May, you will look good in a distinctive shirt. Just follow the rule that what you add on the shirt, you must take away elsewhere. A solid-colored blazer or a simple jacket combined with black or dark blue trousers is a guaranteed key to success.
A turtleneck goes with everything
If you've been getting bored with shirts for a while, we have good news for you. The turtleneck is back in full force. Thick, thin, blue or mustard... You can wear it instead of a sweater, or even under a jacket. At Pitti Uomo, Italian designers even liked to combine turtlenecks with suits. You know, a bit bohemian, artistic style.
Thick sweaters, so we don't get cold
Although we probably all love a light cotton sweater that goes with almost everything, on days when the cold outside is raging like something straight out of a Russian movie, we certainly wouldn't turn up our noses at a thick and heavy pullover. Fortunately, pullovers like those knitted by grandma are finding their way back into our wardrobes . And Pitti showed us that they don't necessarily have to stay in the closets during the work week. Combining them with elegant trousers or even jackets will guarantee that you won't be cold on your way to work this year.
Socks no longer scream
The fact that wearing bold socks is a trend is about five years old… Even a small accessory that can make or break an outfit changes from time to time. For those of you who didn't fully understand the Beatles-themed sock trend, we finally have good news. Bold elements like corduroy or printed shirts have caused sock fashion to calm down a bit. Subtle patterns prevail, with muted colors that are a small elegant icing on the cake of the whole outfit , not a bulldozer that overwhelms it.
