What Sets Japanese Men Apart at Pitti Uomo?

When I go to Pitti Uomo, I’m constantly reminded just how many stylish men there are in this world. There’s a concentration of men—tall, well-built, with handsome features, wearing high-quality clothes and pulling off their looks with ease—that you simply wouldn’t encounter just walking down a typical European street. And they’re not just good-looking.They’re cheerful, sociable, and even possess the natural ability to energize a room. Standing in the same space as men like that, you can’t help but wonder how you come across. Even if you copy their style, it’s not that easy to hold your own against them. On the other hand, there are Japanese men who command respect even in such an environment. What sets them apart?From the scene at Pitti Uomo, I’d like to explore what it takes for a mature man to command respect.

A Social Gathering for Style, Distinct from a Fashion FestivalPitti Uomo: A Festival for Mature Men Where Fashion-Conscious Individuals from Around the World Gather

Pitti Uomo—officially known as Pitti Immagine Uomo—is an international men’s fashion trade show held in Florence, Italy.The moment you step into the venue, the Fortezza da Basso, you immediately realize this is no ordinary trade show. Fashion-conscious men from around the world mingle, delight in reunions after long absences, take photos of one another, and strike up natural conversations through their attire.If Paris and Milan Fashion Weeks are venues where the next season’s expressions and moods are presented through the “performers”—featuring runway shows by fashion houses and designers, as well as famous celebrities, artists, and influencers—then Pitti places a slightly greater emphasis on the “wearers.”The passion for fashion intersects with business negotiations, buying, interviews, photo shoots, and networking—all in the same place. While it is the ultimate celebration for fashion lovers, it is also a professional setting where attire serves as a gateway to work and social life. That is Pitti Uomo.

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Tip 1 for Mature Men to Earn Respect: “People Who Stand Out at Pitti Aren’t Just Standing Out for the Sake of It”Honing the Combined Strength of Track Record, Style, and Character

There’s a clear reason why certain people stand out at Pitti.Buyers who place large orders, journalists who have been covering the scene for years, and tailors and brand owners with clients all over the world. People with such a proven track record are naturally recognized on the spot. But that alone isn’t enough. Their style is compelling, they exude a sense of ease, and they interact with others in a friendly and approachable manner.Track record, style, and character. When these three elements come together naturally, a person is remembered not just as someone who stands out, but as someone “held in high regard.” This isn’t limited to Pitti; it applies equally to the workplace and social settings. A truly mature individual is someone who earns trust not just through their title, but through the impression they make when you actually meet them.

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Editorial Department, Mitsui

For example, Takuro Ogasawara of Senken Shimbun has a proven track record as one of Japan’s leading fashion journalists, having covered the international fashion scene for many years, and is highly trusted locally. Yet, he doesn’t act like a big shot; instead, he’s approachable and friendly even to those younger than him.His style isn’t the typical Pitti Uomo-esque dress code, but it’s very fashionable and chic. Naturally, he’s clearly held in high regard there as well.

Tip 2 for Mature Men to Earn Respect: ‘People who stand out at Pitti bridge the gap through conversation and demeanor’”Even with limited language skills, approach people cheerfully and clearly

At international events like Pitti, it’s not just the perfection of your outfit that shapes people’s impressions—how you interact with others matters just as much. Of course, people who are fluent in foreign languages and can adapt their conversation to the other person’s culture have a definite advantage. However, speaking a foreign language fluently isn’t an absolute requirement.Even with limited language skills, greet people cheerfully with your chest held high, look them in the eye, and speak clearly and confidently. That alone can drastically change how you’re perceived. Furthermore, if you have your own unique perspective and substance to your conversation, the exchange will feel lively even if your language isn’t perfect. In adult social settings, what matters most isn’t perfect conversational skills, but first and foremost, demonstrating a genuine willingness to engage with others.

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Editorial Department, Mitsui

Watching Mr. Kamito of Spirale, I feel that people who command respect are not only skilled at dressing well but are also adept at building rapport with others. His style is compelling, and he converses naturally with people from overseas, closing the distance with them while sprinkling in jokes in Italian. He quickly gains people’s trust, yet never comes across as pushy.People whose style, words, and demeanor are in perfect harmony really do stand out, even when they’re abroad.

Tip 3 for Mature Men to Earn Respect: ‘Standing Out on Social Media Is Different from Earning Respect on the Ground’”Hone the Persuasiveness of the Real Thing, Not Photo Editing

Being influential on social media isn’t necessarily the same as earning respect at Pitti.With photos, you can manipulate impressions through angles, lighting, editing, and the selection of which shot to post. But on-site, your true self is laid bare—from your physical balance and posture to your gait, facial expressions, voice, and even how you close the distance with others. A large number of followers or simply looking good in photos alone is unlikely to earn you trust in that moment.What truly leaves a lasting impression at Pitti isn’t someone who shines within the fiction of social media, but someone who radiates an authentic aura in real life. That’s why mature men should focus not just on looking cool in photos, but on refining the impression they make in person—including their posture, facial expressions, voice, and conversation.

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Editorial Department, Mitsui

There are people who seem impressive on social media but don’t leave much of an impression when you see them in person. Conversely, there are others who, regardless of their number of followers or fame, have a certain presence that catches your eye when you actually meet them. When I go to Pitti, I realize that looking cool in photos and looking cool in person are two completely different things.

Tip #4 for Mature Men to Earn Respect: “People Who Keep Coming Back to Pitti Convey Their Affection for the Place More Than Words Can””Find a Place You Love, Visit It Often, and Cultivate a Connection

At Pitti, the relationships formed through consistent attendance matter more than simply standing out once.You see each other every time, rejoice in the reunion, exchange words, and gradually become part of the atmosphere there. There’s a shared sense that everyone is there because they love clothes. More than superficial small talk, the very act of visiting frequently is the best proof that you love that atmosphere and those values.While some people are there for work—sourcing, interviews, photo shoots, or business negotiations—others keep coming back even when it doesn’t directly lead to business.In any case, the more someone conveys their love for the place, the more they are remembered within Pitti not merely as a visitor, but as a member of the community. This principle applies to everyday social interactions as well: frequenting a shop you trust, having your face recognized at your favorite bar, or consistently attending the same events. Sometimes, simply continuing to visit a place speaks louder than words about your affection.

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Editorial Department, Mitsui

There are people at Pitti who come every time even though it doesn’t directly lead to business. But those are the ones who seem to be having the most fun.Rather than doing it to show off to others, they come to the venue, meet people, look at clothes, and simply enjoy the conversation itself. That feeling spreads to those around them, and as they come back year after year, people naturally start to recognize their faces. It’s clear—even more than words can express—that they truly love the Pitti atmosphere.

5 Tips for Mature Men to Earn Respect: “Japanese Men Who Earn Respect Don’t Just Imitate the West”Adapting Western Clothing to Your Own Body

Men’s classics—such as suits, jackets, shirts, and leather shoes—have evolved against the backdrop of Western body types and lifestyles.That’s why simply copying the outfits of stylish people overseas doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll look the same. If your shoulder width, chest depth, neck length, waistline, leg line, or facial features differ, the way the clothes look on you will change.What matters is not superficially copying Western styles, but adapting them to suit your own body, facial features, and personality. If you’re using overseas street style photos as a reference, focus less on the clothes themselves and more on understanding why they look good on that person. What you should emulate isn’t the individual item, but the perspective of balancing the outfit to fit that person’s body.

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Editorial Department, Mitsui

Tatsuya Nakamura, Executive Creative Director at BEAMS, has taken the pursuit of how to adapt Western classics to the Japanese physique to the ultimate level within the realm of ready-to-wear. For example, how should the shoulder area of a jacket be designed to accommodate the slightly forward-sloping shoulders commonly seen in Japanese men?How should the jacket length, pant width, and the transition to the shoes be adjusted? He incorporates these perspectives into the design of suits, jackets, and pants sold under the BEAMS F line. What’s truly impressive is how he understands Western styles and adapts them to create a balance that looks beautiful on the Japanese physique.

Tip #6 for Mature Men to Earn Respect: “The More Natural Someone Looks, the More Effort They Put In Behind the Scenes””Get in Shape to Create a Foundation Where Clothes Look Their Best

People who look stylish at Pitti don’t appear to be trying too hard. However, that natural look doesn’t come from doing nothing.They work out, watch what they eat, walk a lot, limit their alcohol intake, and pay attention to their posture. While the methods may vary from person to person, they’re all conscious of creating the best possible silhouette within their own physical parameters.Height, body type, facial features, and age vary from person to person. That’s precisely why it’s not about wanting the same “cards” as someone else, but about how to make the most of the cards you’ve been dealt. While striving for your ideal physique, focus on shaping your shoulders, chest, back, and midsection—as well as your posture—so that clothes drape beautifully. Managing how your body appears is a crucial foundation for sophisticated dressing.

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Editorial Department, Mitsui

When I ask handsome men there, “What do you do to stay good-looking?” they often reply at first, “Just being myself.” But when I dig deeper, I find that many of them are quite conscious about maintaining their physique—paying attention to their diet, working out regularly, and being mindful of their alcohol intake.When I go to Anytime Fitness in Florence early in the morning, I actually run into Pitti attendees working out there. I realized that the people who seem the most natural are the ones putting in the most effort behind the scenes.

7 Tips for Mature Men to Earn Respect: ‘What I Learned at Pitti: Are Small Differences Less Important Than Big Ones!?’”Don’t Just Be a Fashion Geek—Aim for ‘Simply Stylish’”

The more you love clothes, the more your attention is drawn to the subtle differences in fabric, tailoring, brands, color coordination, and details. That’s an important sensibility for deeply enjoying fashion. However, in a setting like Pitti—where people of different races, body types, and facial features gather—you can’t fully create an impression based solely on the subtle differences you might notice within a single cultural sphere.In fact, focusing solely on those details is completely insufficient for looking stylish. If you lean too heavily on the aesthetics of the details, you may look stylish within the context of the clothing itself, but you risk straying from what most people objectively consider stylish. Even if the clothes themselves are interesting, if the person wearing them doesn’t appear attractive, the outfit won’t truly command respect at first glance.What a mature man should aim for is not merely to be someone who knows a lot about clothes, but to be someone who simply looks cool through the clothes he wears.

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Editorial Department, Mitsui

Take Alessandro Squarzi, for example. He’s a world-renowned vintage collector and undoubtedly has a deep understanding of fashion. But he doesn’t just look cool because of his knowledge of clothing or the rarity of his pieces.From his physique, beard, and hairstyle to his tanned skin and even the way he stands—even when viewed objectively, he’s simply cool. While some people are interesting in the context of fashion, they might not quite measure up when it comes to being cool as a man. That’s why I strongly feel that what ultimately catches the eye isn’t someone who “knows a lot about clothes,” but someone who is “cool.”