Pitti Uomo Street Style Is Convincing Us to Wear More Bold Colours

Logan Ross January 14, 2020

Pitti Uomo street style is a bit like Marmite — you either love it or hate it. Last week, thousands of Pitti “peacocks” flocked to Florence, making the bi-annual pilgrimage to the menswear Mecca that is Pitti Uomo, to show off their colours and flap their coat tails.

For some, the trade show is seen as attracting fashion try-hards — with many attending simply for the goal of catching Scott Schuman’s camera. But for others, it can be a reminder of when our fascination for menswear began: back when we saw suits and ties through lenses of genuine self-expression. Especially at a time of year when many of us are rubbing sweaty shoulders on the subway with guys dressed reluctantly in cheap suits, Pitti offers a colourful meeting place for those who are actually passionate about buttoning up.

And this year, one of the major themes of Pitti Uomo F/W20 was colour itself. Experimentations with vivid, bright colours featured unexpectedly throughout many of our favourite outfits, prompting that same feeling of genuine excitement and curiosity for menswear: something Pitti somehow always delivers. Here were three ways we saw bold hues being worn on the streets of Florence last week — and our advice for working the same vision into your own wardrobe.

1. Colourful Coats

Just like a great wine, punchiness is only pleasant when properly balanced. These three gents know that the same rule applies for introducing an element of “pop” into a great outfit: the key is restraint.

Tone down a colourful outerwear piece with neutral earth tones and all of a sudden that fresh, fluorescent coat feels a lot more tasteful.

Photos by Christian Vierig/Getty Images unless otherwise stated.

Get the look:

Moncler Maya Quilted Glossed-Shell Hooded Down Jacket

One brand that seldom holds back on punchiness, especially with outerwear, is Moncler. This yellow-glossed shell jacket is a lot more versatile than you’d think, thanks to a detachable drawstring hood and cold weather-friendly funnel neck.

$1,125 USD at Mr Porter

2. Loud Layers

Pitti Uomo street style is famous for its superfluous layering — and yet these loud layers gracefully avoid that cliché. Again, it’s earthy tones and textures like browns and tweeds that provide the ideal canvas to frame a playful pop of colour here.

Photo by Claudio Lavenia/Getty Images

Get the look:

Gucci Blue & Red GG Cardigan

If you’re looking to work some luxury into your layering this year, look no further than Gucci for the know-how. This blue and red cardigan by the Italian style giant skews classic with its fabric — a wool-cashmere blend — and contemporary with its colours.

$2,000 at SSENSE

3. Energetic Accessories

Hats, scarves, gloves — these are all requisite to the practical winter wardrobe, but that shouldn’t mean that these smaller items deserve to be an after-thought.

A vibrant hat or pair of splashy socks can look like a cry for attention, but executed tastefully, they can round out an outfit and lend a touch of considered class.