Pitti Impressions
Things you'd probably like to know before going to Firenze.
If you came here to see what we wore to Pitti Uomo, we are sad to inform you that’s not this post yet. We also won’t be summing up trends for you nor judging who wore it best or who came up with the most unusual outfit. That’s just not us.
What’s happening in Firenze twice a year is not about the outfits (although everyone wears their best), not about the photos (even if it may seem that way sometimes!), and not only about the business (even though many still come just for trade). It’s mostly about everything around the clothes, and not necessarily the clothes themselves.
But that doesn’t make Pitti Uomo any less interesting.
What to expect?
Kamil - More than half a year ago, when we came up with the idea for REWERS and my colleagues asked “How about Pitti?”, I was very skeptical. I had visited the fair three times before then and every time I was leaving Florence extremely tired and underwhelmed. Because of that, my expectations for the January edition were pretty low. However, after the event, I had to say sorry, as we had tons of fun. The summer edition was another confirmation that Pitti is a very, very great opportunity to meet people with similar interests and make acquaintances for - I hope - a lifetime.
The more you visit Pitti, the more fun you have. If there is someone who will introduce you to the people and show you how to move around events in Florence, you will have a lot of fun. If not, just be open-minded and don’t repeat my mistakes.
Łukasz - If we talk about the summer edition, expect crowds (also heat, but we already talked about it). Florence is much different in June than in January. As during my first visit to the fair it was rather calm and empty, in June it’s packed. We were lucky to book an apartment much earlier so there was no problem with accommodation, but if you’ll decide to do it a week before, I’m afraid I have some bad news…
And what about the fair itself? Expect diversity and a little dose of peacocking, not only by the peacocks themselves. Who is a peacock in these days anyway? Is it the too colorful, overcomplicated and overcoordinated guy in a suit? Or it’s anyone who’s dressed loudly only to get attention? Don’t get me wrong, I’m quite certain we all have a little urge to be noticed, but some really, really want to get that photos… So expect some weird stuff. But it’s not all bad, especially that I believe thanks to those peacocks and their beyond the scale outfits almost everything is allowed now, so after all we all get a little more freedom.
Mateusz - Exhaustion! Pitti Uomo is not a relaxing experience, unless you are planning to stay in the whole day (preferably in a fancy hotel, by the pool) and just go for a one party in the evening. Otherwise, you will have to talk a lot, walk a lot, sleep a little and get a sensory overload. Also, if it’s summer, the temperatures will add to the experience. But that’s something you came for, right? That’s not something inherently negative, it’s just what it is.
Also: expect spending less time at Fortezza than you might think, meeting lots of new people, and not being able to do everything you planned to. Imagine you are attending a huuuuge menswear festival, with different scenes placed all over the city and various shows happening at the same time. You will have to choose.
Suzan - Around the Fortezza expect to see the same people who are seeking attention every day. Also, at the Fortezza you can see a lot of interesting brands presenting new collections, but it seems like the most interesting things are happening in private showrooms and at events outside the Fortezza. Since you only have 2–4 days there, it’s going to feel busy. You’ll probably be tired and hungry, and if you’re going in the summer, it’ll also be hot and crowded, so always carry something to drink and a few snacks. Expect to fall a bit behind schedule, as you’ll constantly run into people and end up chatting, which means you’ll likely be running late most of the time.
What to do?
Kamil - The main difference between my first editions and my last editions was the planning. Now we just knew where we wanted to go and whom we wanted to meet, and it was much easier to move around Florence. Nowadays, you just need to be watchful on Instagram and check your favourite brands - if they are going to be at Pitti Uomo, then you will be aware of that.
Be everywhere, wear what you usually don’t have the opportunity to wear, eat a lot of gelato and drink a lot of coffee. Maybe Florence is not the best place to find pizza, but the ice cream is top-notch. Enjoy the people more than the clothes!
Łukasz - Look around, socialize and enjoy the atmosphere! I could write a lot about where to go or what booths or stores you should visit, but for me what’s most interesting in Pitti Uomo are the people who create it! And I had amazing time watching, meeting and talking to them. It’s inspiring and humbling to get an opportunity to talk to people you only know or follow on social media. Atmosphere around the fair makes it much easier to reach out and talk to others. Shoutout to Galih, the Accesible Magazine team - Rikesh and Luke - Alexandr, Emmanuel and many many more who made it such an incredible fun! But if not meeting people, then what?
Go to a bar! As you all probably know, bars in Italy are a kind of their own. Like little windows on the lives of people who live nearby. And you go there to get breakfast! You can get a beer or a drink too, but it’s not the main point. Italian bar is not a speakeasy. Florence is packed with nice bars.
Mateusz - Meet people. That’s what is the most important there. Approach you favourite blogger/influencer/creator (menswear personality, anyone?) and tell them you are a fan. Chat with a guy working for the brand you follow and mention that you like what they do. Ask this person where did they get their awesome suit. Maybe try not to be a creep doing it… but being genuine will make you friends. Of course, not everyone is approachable (and there are some guys around here who clearly don’t want to be bothered with meeting new people), but most of the guys can take a compliment and start a quick chat that might just become a loooong talk. And your new friend has a friend, who has a friend, who has a friend… Who knows whom you might be meeting very soon?
Do look your best, but do not overthink it. Be yourself in the clothes you have chosen. But do indulge in the opportunity to dress up freely. Oh, and if you do feel a little vain (as we all do sometimes), make sure you visit Fortezza for a while in the morning as it’s the best opportunity to be photographed!
Suzan - A lot will depend on why you're going there. If you have many appointments and events, plan ahead and make a schedule, but don’t forget to leave some extra time between meetings, as you’ll probably end up running a bit late. Meetings and conversations usually take longer than expected, so keep that in mind to avoid stressing too much. Also, plan your meals - make reservations a couple of weeks or even months in advance for all dinners, and if you want, even for lunches, so that you can recharge your batteries and have enough energy to get through these very eventful days. And enjoy nice meals in great company!
Wear whatever you feel most comfortable in, but keep in mind that Pitti is the perfect opportunity to wear things you usually don’t get the chance to. There will be hundreds of overdressed people, so don’t worry. You won’t stand out. So think about all those ties you own… or even a tuxedo!
If you like what somebody is wearing, give them a compliment. Strike up a conversation, be open to meeting new people, and have a good time!
What to skip?
Kamil - I’d say that you should spend as little time as possible at Fortezza da Basso. There is nothing to do there - just say hi, see the brands inside the buildings, and then go enjoy Florence (unless you meet some friends and you have a lot of talking to do). For me, the most interesting and enjoyable part is the trunk shows and parties, where the atmosphere is more focused on conversations rather than taking pictures.
Łukasz - Being a jerk? As I wrote mostly about people and how great it was, unfortunately there always are some who will try to put you down. Low self esteem, lack of empathy and (in some cases) success tend to be a formula for an asshole. Don’t be one, why would you? So skip on ironic smiles, laughing at others, racist, homophobic and just dumb jokes - be a nice guy.
Ah! One more, skip drinking too much, it’s no fun being around those who had way too many drinks.
Mateusz - Please, stay away from sitting and/or standing on the square at Fortezza for too long. That’s reserved for peacocks and undercover peacocks! But I wouldn’t necessarily say “100% skip it” as it’s still a place you might stumble upon some interesting people and friends - however, you can easily find a better place to talk to them. And if you really want to be photographed, just a quick round should do.
Also, consider skipping the biggest parties - some of them are just too crowded, too loud and not fun at all. This time, we’ve been to a one that we left after only 15 minutes, because it was virtually impossible to talk or even find a place to stand where you wouldn’t be constantly jostled by the crowd.
Suzan - Don’t overdo your schedule. If two events are at the same time, go to the one you think will be better and have a backup plan in case things turn out differently than you expected. Don’t try to attend both events as you’ll only stress out and probably regret not staying at the first one. If you feel something isn’t worth going, just skip it, your time there is very limited! Also, plan your appointments and events to minimize walking as much as possible. You’ll thank me later. And don’t stress too much. At the end of the day, Pitti should be a good time, so try to enjoy it as much as you can, even if you’re tired or hungry. It’s only a couple of days, and you’ll be back home soon!