Like a (street style) god overlooking his kingdom, Nick Wooster finds some relief from the Florence sun under a tree and soaks in the views of Pitti going past.

A pair of shorts, t-shirt and a blazer may not be the most stand-out of outfits on a normal day. But with the addition of an on-trend pair of sunglasses and a scarf wrapped around as a turban, there’s a new level of interest to be reached. Not to mention a great way of keeping the hot Florentine sun from burning one’s head.

The menswear love of print and pattern continued its momentum into consciousness at Pitti this year. It’s good to know that the men are letting go and having a bit of fun with their outfits, especially when it comes to colour. Here’s a glimpse of what we saw during the week.

Hey everyone at Pitti Uomo? Stop looking so good and making everybody else feel bad and insecure about their entire wardrobe. But they won’t stop. They just keep on coming with their unlined cotton jackets, white denim, raw silk ties and neckerchiefs. This gallery contains all of that and much more.

It’s good to see the Americana influence on menswear hasn’t died down, even in the midst of Florence, Tuscany. Take away the accessories from this Pitti Uomo street style look, and you have a pretty conventional outfit. It’s smart dressing and you guys should pay attention. Also, take notice of the floral neckerchief. If all goes according to plan, by the masters of Pitti, you’ll…

Some chaps just know the ins and outs of paying attention to detail. A display of graphic prints peeping out from under the sleeves of a yellow knit; a neatly rolled up pant cuff; a multi-tone pair of shoes… it’s all part and parcel to a stand-out Pitti Uomo look.

Unconventional fabrics give way for great experiments in texture and contrast. These two men at Pitti don jackets that offer tactility and comfort in the Florence heat. One opts for a tailored style while the other goes the more casual route with relaxed proportions and a white v-neck tshirt underneath.

Orlebar Brown may have the understated, English side of the mens swimming trunk market covered, but for something with a little bit of European flair it’s worth checking out the latest from Robinson Les Bains. Christophe Vérot – an ex-water polo player – started up the brand in 2007 after experiencing that frustration we all feel from time to time: the kind where you search…

Fresh from their showing in London last week, Hackett London may just well have set up the most impressive stall at Pitti. Well, it’s so much as as a stall, as it’s an entire pavilion with a front porch to sip some much needed iced tea and an old (probably Renaissance) building housing some wonderfully British mannequins.

The dapper men of Pitti tend towards either the ultra-sharp, the casually understated, or the boldly flamboyant. The latter male is a creature that comes in many forms – often he’s decked out in bright colours, or quirky accessories – but he can also be seen fearlessly sporting clashing prints. Checks, plaids, gingham, polka dots… to this confident breed of male, no pattern is off-limits.

We know you should own a pair of trousers in khaki and navy but do you have pairs in a beaming yellow, vibrant red or pistachio green? Well Italian men do and if we’ve learnt anything at Pitti Uomo, it’s that they know what they’re doing so you should follow suit.

As well as meatballs, the Swedes are rather famous for their Scandinavian design aesthetic. It’s one that favours function and form over bells and whistles, and one they do particularly well. At this week’s Pitti Uomo in Florence, watch brand South Lane stood out for the pared-back simplicity of design and uncluttered set of options.

View all the catwalk photos of the Valentino spring / summer 2013 showing at Pitti Uomo.

Read the article to see the full gallery.

Shoes off, fans out, blankets aplenty: it’s all part of keeping cool in (while still enjoying) the 30-something degree Florentine heat. These moments of rest and relaxation were captured on day 2 of Pitti Uomo, June 2012.

It’s a trick you see often enough around the Pitti grounds, so clued in are the Pitti men to getting versatile with their accessories. But you see it far more rarely on the street day to day. It’s easy enough: take a scarf, twist it into a length, run it through your belt loops and tie it into a belt. It’s so simply it’s hard…

Yesterday was day 2 of Pitti and while the weather wasn’t letting up, neither were the outfits. If these photos don’t get you even a little bit excited, then you’re in the wrong place my friend.

It’ an undisputed fact that when it comes to menswear and Pitti Uomo, the little details count. A complete outfit for a man often involves all the trimmings: a watch, jewellery, pocket handkerchief, and, in this case, a rich chocolate woven leather folio.

Another look that you couldn’t help but notice at Day 2 of Pitti Uomo: a pair of sky blue pants worn with a blazer that was as red as a bull fighter’s muleta and just as apt at attracting one’s attention.

You sometimes forget that Pitti Uomo is a trade show with all the peacocking that goes on, but there’s business to be done. Here are street style photos from day 2, where we look at the wheelin’ and dealin’ going on, including plenty of walk-and-talks. The money for all those suits has to come from somewhere, after all.

We’re officially halfway through Pitti, and while I’m not going to call it just yet, this might just be my favourite look so far. Highlights include joyously coloured pastel green trousers and a wonderfully sculpted jacket but it’s that pocket square action that tops the whole thing off in spectacular fashion. It’s vibrant, fresh and screams of Summer in Italy. In fact, you’d be hard…