The 109th edition of Pitti Uomo in Florence, Italy was dressed up in plaid.
Attendees to the show last week, which drew approximately 12,500 buyers and featured presentations by Hed Mayner and Soshiotsuki, wore a catalog of checks, from windowpane, glen, houndstooth and tartan to more rugged buffalo.
The latter was surely welcomed by U.S. heritage outdoor brand Woolrich, which had a special setup at the event that highlighted its signature red-and-black buffalo check.
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Buffalo was a popular choice for outerwear, paired with wide-leg jeans, suede trousers and khaki pants. Others stepped out in green versions of the check. No matter the color, the check played a key role in the overall lumberjack aesthetic that trended at the show.
Others approached plaid in different ways. Accessories like berets and scarves popped in red tartan, while others wrapped bundled up in Burberry’s check. Bright tartan kilts were styled over pants.
True to the show’s menswear focus, many attendees leaned into wool plaid blazers and overcoats. The classic pieces felt fresh when styled with contrasting prints—polka dots, Fair Isle knits—and relaxed with denim.
Checks’ popularity is backed by data. This month Heuritech reported a 20 percent increase in consumer interest in checks, particularly “tone-on-tone checks that feel subtle and elegant.” The AI-powered trend insights firm said the trend is especially popular in Japan and China and the most prevalent among women.
