What you can learn from street style at Pitti Uomo

Since diving into custom tailoring, I've been finding myself becoming more and more infatuated with the intricacies of suiting, fabrics, and when certain details work and when they don't {as if I wasn't obsessed with menswear enough to being with}. I research, ponder, question, and peruse all sorts of books and sites that delve into the fine details of menswear, both traditional and trendy, so that I am well equipped when I get random questions like "where did the lapel originate" thrown at me, and when I have to come up with a really unique, never-been-done-before-but-looks-amazing outfit for an event. 

When I am tasked with putting together a look for a client who has a solid foundation wardrobe, I always find myself checking out photos from the latest Pitti Uomo events. If you don't know what it is, Pitti Uomo is one of the biggest mens fashion events, and Pitti Uomo 90 {yes, that's 2 times a year for 45 years} just happened... so obviously I've been looking, learning, and jotting down notes to share with you!

Here are the main things I think you should know.

Jackets are getting shorter.

What was once meant to fit into your fist if you stood with your arms straight by your side and cover your butt in the back, is now significantly shorter... and I'm talking 2 or 3 inches shorter. We've been seeing this happen for a few years now, but it was made more apparent than ever at PU 90. Your jackets shouldn't be long, period.

Breaks in pants should be MINIMAL

Breaks in pants should either be super small or non-existent. This is something that, for me, has been quite challenging to convince my clients is ok. A lot of guys think that there should be no sock, or just a little sock showing... and I mean, for classic business suits, I'd agree with the latter, but if you are suiting up for an event, let your stylish side show and shorten those pants a bit! I'm all about the minimal break. AND, if you pair the minimal break with a 1.5 inch cuff... you're winning in my books.

Patterns are meant to be mixed

Pitti Uomo has definitely shown that any and all patterns are meant to be mixed. Checks, stripes, floral... camo...? yeah, it can all be mixed and matched as long as you consider colour and fabrics. Don't mix a bright green camo with a bright purple floral, or you'll risk looking like Barney the dinosaur... but if you want to mix a neutral camo with a more subdued floral, check, or stripe... go right ahead! Hey, patterns on their own are cool too!

Colour is the new black

Colour is HUGE! I mean, with suiting, I don't think black was ever cool enough to be considered 'the new black'... or whatever (likely you've heard me talk about how black is for black tie events and undertakers), but colours are awesome, and you should totally get on the sexy colour train. Some of my favourites that are versatile enough for the office are; deep burgundy, army green, cobalt blue and brown.

Lapel flowers are bomb.com

I've been making these for clients for a few years now, so I was stoked to see the appearance of MANY lapel flowers at the event. It's a great way to take your suit up a notch, and your style to the next level. Match it to your pocket square, or do a completely different pattern all together!

Never be scared to step outside the box

There are definitely things that you see over and over again {shorter jackets, pattern mixing, bright colours, minimal breaks in pants, etc.} but one of the coolest things about Pitti Uomo is that everyone is doing their own thing. There are traditional menswear looks, trendy menswear looks, and totally insane menswear looks... but somehow they all look great, and it all works together to create one beautiful menswear event. 

-Ensemble Style