Ten highlights of the Pitti Uomo trade show

Sartorial splendour collided with street smarts at Pitti Uomo, held last week in Florence, Italy. James Gabrillo breaks down the 10 best moments from the world's foremost menswear trade show.

Best trend: volume. The Italian designer Marcelo Burton offered a lean, mean vision: away with the super-slim silhouettes; enter boxy fits and swinging trousers. Easy, breezy. Courtesy Pitti Immagine

Best collection: Z Zegna

Z Zegna fused tailoring with sportswear in the most joyful manner: crisp, white shirts were layered with a casual graphic tee then finished off with inventive outerwear - from optic white raincoats to cardigans that looked like woven wild banana.

Best colour: blue

Because you don’t mess with the classics: navy, royal and azure. They look good with white, always.

Best pattern: checks

At Pitti, what the attendees wear has become as closely watched as the clothes presented by the labels. One of the standout street style snaps was of this dandy showgoer who paired a checked blazer with a simple polo shirt. Also, cool sunnies.

Best accessory: lavish beards

While recent seasons have been about trimmed beards, this year it’s all about (pardon the Disney reference) letting it all go.

Best look: monochromatic

After years of seeing a push in vibrant prints, monochromatic combinations feel so fresh. The Turkish designer Serdar Uzuntas sent out dudes decked in head-to-toe pastel pink and green. Too much for you? Start out with midnight blue. Baby steps.

Best material: linen

When wearing linen, go for a low-fuss approach. Learn to appreciate that crinkles and wrinkles are part of the fabric’s appeal.

Best trend: volume

The Italian designer Marcelo Burlon offered a lean, mean vision: away with the super-slim silhouettes; enter boxy fits and swinging trousers. Easy, breezy.

Best combination: Au Jour Le Jour

An off-kilter back-to-school theme was presented at Au Jour Le Jour. Modern schoolboys wore bright tones and irreverent patterns that depicted apples, rhinos and – our favourite – jellyfish. While there were costume-y overtones (care for high-shine fabric, gents?), they were pacified with solid trousers and classic coats. Zany, but wearable.

Best new designer: Nick Wooster

The most photographed man in menswear has collaborated with the Italian brand Lardini for a capsule collection featuring shirts in mixed fabrics and jackets with naval stripes and polka dots.

Best hair: flat and slick

Messy, flowing, bedhead – out. Flat, combed down and shiny – in.