Bared At Pitti Uomo 2026
6/25/2026
Byline: Maggie Kelly – Menswear Marketing Manager
If you are a men’s fashion enthusiast, you would have spent the better part of last week glued to your phone as the world’s biggest men’s trade fair rolled out around Florence, Italy. This year was the 110th Pitti Uomo, and like most years, the fair was surrounded by thousands of stylists, buyers, brands and content creators - all gathered to forecast the trends and style for the year ahead. Our Menswear Marketing Manager, Maggie Kelly, was on the ground to attend the fair and produce Bared content, so we sat down to ask what she saw.
What Even Is ‘Pitti Uomo’?
To those outside men’s fashion, you’ve probably never heard of Pitti Uomo. For those inside the industry, it’s basically fashion Christmas.
There’s three parts to the Pitti event: one, the trade fair. It’s a massive series of stalls across the Fortezza Da Basso where men’s brands across apparel, accessories and footwear showcase their ranges for prospective buyers. Two, there’s the gathering of the world’s best content creators to the grounds, where you will find them showcasing their outfits, staging shoots and networking. And three, the parties. These are beautiful brand celebrations where you get the chance to bring together fashion houses with their customers and influencers, and see their designs in the wild.
Meet The Pitti Crew
Pitti attracts the global leaders in world fashion, particularly content creators and taste makers. Bared was lucky enough this year to team up with:
Jesper Soendergaad
@jespersoendergaard
Danish influencer with almost 995k followers online who look to his highly polished style content.
Carlos Roberto Juarez
@bycarlosroberto
Mexico-based, Carlos is one of the most photographed men at Pitti Uomo.
Dirk Fourie
@dirkthecrook
Our very own Dirk is a rising star of 1940s style suit dressing, and is a much loved member of the Pitti community.
Jeff Lack
@Jeff.lack
A stylist for over 20 years, Jeff has nailed down laid-back Aussie style – and the Italians can’t get enough!
Steve Gonzales
@_stevegonzalez_
A creative director and artist, Steve curates menswear, lifestyle, and travel and is also a Pitti lifer.
Derrick Brownie
@mrderrickbrownie
US-based Derrick is best known for his style commentary, but was a standout style icon, particularly with his choice of hats for the week.
Galih Richardson
@galihrichardson
London-based photographer Galih shot part of our Pitti Uomo content, but is so stylish he usually the one being photographed himself.
The Biggest Footwear Trends From Pitti Uomo
Are Loafers Replacing Sneakers?
For years, the white sneaker has been the default choice in men's wardrobes. Easy to wear, versatile and comfortable, it worked with almost everything.
At Pitti Uomo, however, loafers were impossible to ignore.
From relaxed tailoring to denim and even shorts, penny loafers and driving loafers appeared everywhere. The appeal is obvious: they're smarter than a sneaker, easier than a dress shoe and instantly elevate an outfit without looking overly formal.
For those looking to embrace the trend, Radium offers a contemporary take on the classic penny loafer, while Samarium delivers a timeless leather option you'll reach for season after season. Prefer something more relaxed? Neon brings the effortless appeal of a suede driving loafer, perfect for weekends and warm-weather dressing.
Brown Is The Shade Of The Season.
If there was one colour story dominating footwear at Pitti Uomo, it was brown.
Chocolate, mahogany, tobacco and tan appeared across everything from loafers and derbies, to boots and driving shoes. Richer and more nuanced than black, brown adds warmth and depth while remaining just as versatile.
It's also one of the easiest trends to adopt. Brown pairs effortlessly with navy, denim, olive, cream, grey and virtually every neutral already sitting in your wardrobe.
Whether you prefer the texture of suede or the polish of leather, shades like chocolate, mahogany and tan continue to define modern menswear.
The Return Of The Derby Shoe
While loafers may have stolen the spotlight, another classic is finding new ways to be worn across the streets of Florence: the derby shoe.
Today's derby is less about formal business attire and more about versatility. Worn with relaxed tailoring, denim and textured knitwear, it sits comfortably between a sneaker and a dress shoe, making it one of the hardest-working styles in a modern wardrobe. In 2026 we’re seeing the derby shoe being reinvented through interesting texture and materials. Horse leather, suede and cow hide all bought new looks to the classic derby, with special attention to design details like split-toe stitching, contrast interiors and leather laces.
For those looking to bring the trend into everyday life, Californium offers a versatile suede derby that works across workdays and weekends alike, while Flerovium delivers a more casual interpretation that's easy to dress up or down.
Your 2026 Cheat Sheet
MONOCHROME
We loved seeing single colour top to toe this Pitti. The guys were rocking outfits that tied in footwear, trousers, shirting, even matching headwear from top to toe, giving a super impactful look.
COLOUR POP
Bursts of neon and bright shades gave summer Pitti an injection of colour. Accessories did the heavy lifting, with sunglasses, wallets and socks allowing a moment of play among the more subdued summer suiting.
RELAXED TAILORING
This year more than ever we saw more reconstructed suiting take the spotlight. Suiting has loosened up, with drop shoulders, pleating and longer legs giving a 1990s silhouette than is effortlessly cool.
LAPEL DETAILS
If there was one major trend from Pitti 2026, it was brooches. Now while the average Aussie guy isn’t racing to pin his Grandmother’s best brooch onto his suit, there are more subdued ways to add interest: pocket squares, tie clips and even a pin through the lapel is a great way to add interest.
HATS
Nothing says style like being able to carry off quirky headwear and Pitti 2026 did not disappoint. We loved seeing berets, broad-brim straw hats, and pillar-box style hats being paired with suiting. Not sure you’re ready for a fascinator? Trying throwing on your favourite cap with a suit.
SAFARI JACKETS
This summer will all be about the safari suit. It’s crisp lines and uniform-style details make it the perfect casual blazer upgrade. And besides, we all need more pockets in our life.
Michael Andrews Bespoke Black Tie Ball
Monday night was the opening event for Pitti Uomo with the Michael Andrews Bespoke black tie ball at the St Regis Florence. It was a feast for the eyes, with Jeff, Dirk, and Jesper all rocking the Bared Carbon dress shoe in black patent. Live band, singers and the best-dressed crowd you can imagine, this was one for the ages.
Lunch At Antico Paoli
As the Pitti week came to an end, we celebrated with a long lunch at Florence’s oldest restaurant, Antico Paoli. Founded in 1886, the space features original frescos on the wall. Over negronis, aperol spritz, and enough steak to feed the whole city, we chatted about footwear and how the guys got into fashion. We walked away with full stomachs and a new network of male fashion aficionados from across the world. (Plus, some tips on what to wear next season.)
