When In Rome Do As the Romans...When In Florence Dress Like A Man!

and some other Florentine tips

I’m a girl that goes to Pitti Uomo, there’s not many of us but the inspiration I take and the insight I gain for my consulting business is invaluable! Plus it’s Florence!

I always get this buzzing sense of excitement few days before I arrive at Santa Maria Novella Stazione. I can’t fully explain why, but maybe it’s something from my childhood—like the heroine from While You Were Sleeping, a movie I’ve watched countless times growing up. She, too, dreamed of visiting Florence.
So every time I go to Pitti Uomo it’s a bit of a living dream. I make it a point to walk around the city as much as I can and soak in its breathtaking beauty. For me, it’s the light, the incredible architecture, the food and, of course, the stylish people who live in Florence and the stylish people that visit Florence (especially during Pitti Uomo).

So.. Pitti Uomo! I love men’s fashion but Pitti, as a fair in general, can be overwhelming to say the least.
There are so many brands and so many people that I try to concentrate on a smaller moments to be inspired by like new ways of combine prints (checks with polka dots, mixing different types of plaids etc.) or color trends, as men at Pitti are true masters of mixing fabrics and patterns. And, because about a third of my wardrobe consists of menswear, I’m also pick-up new ideas for styling pieces I already own!

love the idea of pairing patterned scarves with herringbone and Prince of Wales checked coats

these color combinations could be great for girls too

Since Scott and I started dating, I’ve had the privilege of sharing a wardrobe with one of the most stylish men I know. So for this Pitti, I couldn’t resist stealing a few pieces from his closet and asking his advice on how to style them.

This was a completely new experience for me — letting my boyfriend have any say in how I would be dressed. Honestly, it felt a test of trust for me, since I have a really good grasp of what I like but I decided to let go a little and it turned out great.

However it wasn't easy, for one thing I don’t like classic shirts, it’s mostly because of the collar. I love sailor collars or hoodies but not traditional button-down shirt collars. I just don’t like how the fabric sits around the neck when fully buttoned-up.
So, when Scott suggested adding a shirt and tie to one of my outfits I was hesitant but knowing his love and appreciation for haberdashery I agreed. The secret? Scott styled the tie playfully by draping it over one shoulder almost like a scarf. That shifted the focus away from the collar and make the look less stuffy or literal.

The final look? A mix of my burgundy Uniqlo trousers (from a set I wrote about here), a men’s burgundy Bally bag, my classic sneakers, and Scott’s light blue Valentino shirt (I like this Arket one as an alternative too), Prada stripe tie, and Officine Generale coat (here they have another good one on sale, and this one could be good option).