A feature that we can find declined in every black item of clothing, from the leather jacket with a rock touch to the more formal trousers, passing through preppy-inspired Oxford shoes. Every man owns a black garment or accessory and, without a doubt, investing in a new high-quality fashion piece in this color, especially if artisanal and Made in Italy, is always a good idea. Especially when it comes to timeless garments, real essentials of the male wardrobe that build, and will always do, the foundations of personal style. Looking for Black Friday clothing deals? Nothing better then, than opting for the best of handcrafted black menswear in the week of Black Friday 2020: here is a sophisticated selection to take advantage of during the discounts.

To make the most of it, before the temperatures drop dramatically, here is a selection of strictly handcrafted leather garments and accessories that embody the seasonal spirit. Of course, in this Autumn / Winter 2020-21 season, among the essential colors of the wardrobe, we can find all the natural shades that surprises us between October and December, and which cannot be missing: those of the golden and bronze leaves that cover the trees and then the streets, but also all the earthy nuances. Whether it’s a classic tan brown or a more dusty sienna color, these are the colors on which you can’t go wrong during the autumn season, particularly enhanced on leather garments.

This safari jacket in tan lamb suede by Atacama is characterized by a simple silhouette, thanks to its symmetrical cut, but also by a particularly warm and spicy tone, which makes it unique and immediately recognizable. It has been enriched with four front pockets, a suede belt, barrel cuffs and horn buttons. It was tailor-made in Italy, with processing techniques handed down for generations.

A sense of adventure and class come together in this Drifter leather backpack, in an elegant earth tone. Handmade according to the Italian tradition from tanned leather, luxuriously soft and resistant, this bag has a classic and contemporary look at the same time, also thanks to the perfect combination with the robust and refined metal buckles on the outside. The main compartment closes with a strong hook and loop closure to ensure that none of your personal items inside get lost during any stage of a journey.

Comfort and refinement can really go hand in hand, and these dark brown tassel loafers are proof of that. Inspired by the most iconic models of all time, these luxurious shoes have a unique and impossible to pass unnoticed look. What’s more, it’s the little details that make these moccasins truly eye-catching in design, from the woven tassels to the Adler stitching, which add the perfect finishing touch. Ideal for special events and informal occasions.

In this backpack by Athison, leather and cotton of the highest quality give life to an extremely sophisticated and avant-garde accessory. 1,056 cotton threads tied one by one form the basis of a unique and inimitable fabric: the cotton is waxed with potato flour starch, in line with the production processes that prefer the use of natural and non-toxic materials. The leather is vegetable-tanned and expertly worked by Tuscan tanneries.

It’s not surprising that even post-summer-holidays, and even throughout a pandemic — there’s still that undeniable desire for a weekend away. How do you organize yourself when a short, last-minute trip comes up? It’s all about the bag. Elegant and effortless, here is a selection of handcrafted bags, versatile for every need, that will make your little escape a breeze.

This backpack by the Villadossola-based Athison (who have been active since 1913!) is on offer in various colors —from the most classic to the most modern and sporty. Vegetable-tanned leather is manufactured in Tuscany, combined with waxed cotton in potato flour starch, all in line with production processes that prefer the use of natural and non-toxic materials. Compact, it allows you to comfortably carry your laptop to work with every accessory, and to later carry on with essential outfits for the weekend. The zipper on the back allows direct access to the backpack, ensuring practicality and protecting its contents from intrusive hands.

Lovers of vintage and timeless style — this is the must-have bag for you. With its impeccable workmanship, the leather backpack by The Dust has all the charm of an item handed down from one generation to another, thanks to the high quality of the leather with which it was made. The double pockets on the front add an element of comfort. Inside are multiple compartments to carry both the necessary for the office, as well as clothing and products for the weekend. It’s the perfect balance of old-fashioned sophistication and contemporary flair.

If you are not a fan of rigid bags, but not even too soft ones, Davide Albertario‘s Duffle in Genuine Leather is probably the middlegroun you’re seeking out for your weekends out of town. Crafted in burnt brown, and suitable for combining with many other shades, it presents a semi-rigid structure and a tapered shape with zip closure. It’s a bag with a classic aesthetic but with a modern allure given by the visible beige stitching and palladium-colored finishes. It’s made (of course) by hand, it also has an inner lining in pure cotton, with a tartan motif.

The perfect travel bag for gentlemen with an evergreen style is this Leather Weekender by Athison, ideal for short stays. Why is it so sophisticated? Simply because the small imperfections and the different shades of color for each of them, make them absolute unique pieces thanks to the natural raw materials with which the calf hides have been tanned. Dyed with non-toxic water-based colors and woven with thin copper threads, this bag will age over time, changing its appearance and showing its more exclusive and handcrafted side.

To start your weekend in Forte dei Marmi, there is nothing better than a walk in the beating heart of the city, around Piazza Garibaldi: all the streets in the center are like an open-air boutique dominated by the Fort Lorense, known as the fort of Forte dei Marmi: this was wanted by the Grand Duke of Tuscany during 1700, from which the city also takes its name, to defend the landing place to the sea. The remaining part refers to the marbles that were extracted in the nearby quarries and that passed through this area to be embarked on ships. Inside, you can find the Museum of satire and caricature, founded in 1997, which collects material relating to the history of world satire and caricature. A real institution born from the Political Satire Prize of Forte dei Marmi, which has been held in the town every September since 1973, presenting over 4,000 original drawings, a library with over 2500 books, an auditorium, 18th and 19th century satirical texts and a multimedia archive. It is not surprising that Forte dei Marmi hosts this particular museum: many of the most famous names of national and international satire have been awarded here, reflecting the irreverent style and irony of the inhabitants of the area and of Tuscany. And of course, like every destination in this region, the town also boasts a unique food and wine offer.

For lunch, we recommend you stop at the Michelin-starred restaurant Bistrot, by David and Marco Vaiani: a restaurant that relaunches traditional Tuscan cuisine in a more modern and advanced way, through à la carte menus and creative tasting menus: here the concept courses stand out, to be discovered directly upon arrival at the table, as well as the reinvented classic recipes, from roasted octopus with pine nuts and asparagus, up to the suckling pig of the Apuan Alps with fennel and black garlic. The restaurant is divided into two internal rooms elegantly furnished in colonial style, more suitable for autumn and winter, and a large and cool outdoor dehor, ideal for the warm season. An underground cellar of 80 square meters also ensures a wide selection of wines, from the new ones with an excellent value for money to the finest, from Italy and the rest of the world. In the cellar it is also possible to book exclusive private dinners, enjoying the unique setting of the stone vault. 

Another essential stop on the tour in Forte dei Marmi is the Ugo Guidi Museum: the house-museum is the last and only testimony of the fertile cultural season of the 20th century in the town, where the artist Ugo Guidi lived and created all his sculptures. Inside its rooms you can admire over 500 works including sculptures, drawings and tempera paintings, ranging from the 40s to the 70s and which show the development of the Italian master from classical to abstract style. Today the museum represents a place of culture where exhibitions of disappeared artists, promising young talents, students of academies and artistic high schools are set up: each of them is pushed to dialogue with works, videos, performances, installations inspired by the works of Ugo Guidi.

In Forte dei Marmi also the noble villas are splendid, all worthy of a visit: among these we recommend Casa Mann Borghese, Villa Bertelli, Villa Antonietta and Villa Agnelli. In this one, you can enjoy one of the best stays in Versilia: gem of the Augustus Hotel & Resort, set in a spectacular landscape between the coast of fine sand and the dense pine forests enclosed by the Apuan Alps, the former Villa Agnelli it’s the charming residence par excellence. Built by Admiral Morin at the beginning of the twentieth century, the neo-Renaissance Villa Costanza was purchased in 1926 by Edoardo Agnelli: here, the well-known Turin family spent their summer holidays for more than thirty years, and still today its 19 rooms retain the particular style and original furnishings chosen by the Agnelli, in pastel tones ranging from green to pink, passing through the light blue. A Villa characterized by timeless elegance but above all by privacy, thanks also to the exclusive, historic, underpass with direct access to the nearby beach.

For dinner, on your first day, we recommend you to book a table at Ristorante Lorenzo: in its elegant rooms, whose spaces are enriched by a magnificent collection of contemporary art collected over the years, from sculptures to paintings, the first quality Tuscan culinary tradition is celebrated. A real commandment that Lorenzo brings, every morning from 1981, to go to the docks of Viareggio and Versilia in search of the best fish, the most fragrant crustacean, the freshest mollusc, passing through the rigid selection of vegetables, meats and fruit. Chef Gioacchino Pontrelli is then entrusted with the task of transforming the raw material, without betraying its nature but enhancing its characteristics, from the “author’s painting” – all to eat – with caviar to the crudité fantasy, passing through the famous “pasta risottata” with seafood and the delicate amberjack steak.

Sunday in Forte dei Marmi can only begin with a walk through Mercato del Forte: the market was born from a circle of merchants, now 60 and united in a consortium, who almost half a century ago began to exhibit their unique products to the refined clientele of the Versilia coast. An offer that ranges from the famous Florentine craftsmanship of artistic ceramics to the famous embroideries of household linen and the best clothing brands. Furthermore, the precious handcrafted cashmere knitwear and leather goods cannot be missing. After the market, a tour to the Forte dei Marmi pier, one of the historical symbols of the city, is a must: generations of citizens and tourists on holiday in Forte dei Marmi have experienced moments of relaxation on this suggestive pier. Indeed, what reaches our days is not the one dating the 19th century which, unfortunately, was completely destroyed during the Second World War. In fact, the original pier was built on a project by Giovanni Costantini between 1876 and 1877 with a length of about 250 meters from the shore, and was then extended in 1932 reaching 290 meters. In 1943, however, the Germans completely destroyed it by undermining the pine wood supports. At the end of the war, the municipal administration immediately took action to restore this important city symbol, no longer serving as a landing place for ships, but exclusively as a destination for walks. The works for the new pier of the Fort began and ended on May 18, 1958, with the full name of Pontile Medaglie D’oro.

After the morning tour, refresh yourself at the La Magnolia Restaurant, inside the prestigious Hotel Byron: led by the starred Chef Cristoforo Trapani, the restaurant welcomes guests with its elegant poolside atmosphere. The à la carte menu captures the imagination with its simplicity and richness of flavors, from marinated mullet with nettle to sea snails, passing through the tasty combination of burrata mozzarella, red prawns and pork rind. Cristoforo Trapani in fact offers a gastronomic experience to be discovered with his Tuscan-Campania fusion cuisine, in which the great protagonists are the authentic flavors of local products, always fresh and strictly in season.

Beyond the beautiful beaches, in the surroundings of Forte dei Marmi it is possible to visit an incredible naturalistic variety. One of the most spectacular destinations in this sense is the Natural Park of San Rossore, Migliarino and Massaciuccioli, a protected area located in the heart of Tuscany between the provinces of Pisa and Lucca, that also includes Lake Massaciuccioli and the forests of Tombolo, Macchia Lucchese and Migliarino. Here you can relax by choosing one of the proposed routes, admiring the numerous types of trees such as poplar, holm oak, pine and ash as well as the rich fauna, which includes ducks, wild boar, fallow deer, wild rabbit, wolf and the fox.

For an evening stay, we recommend the sophisticated Hotel Principe Forte dei Marmi, which boasts not only a refined and modern interior design, but also a strategic position that makes it an exceptional destination for seaside, artistic and cultural tourism. The rooms are furnished by some of the most prestigious Italian brands, with natural parquet, large and bright windows and bathrooms made entirely of marble. Inside the hotel you will also find an excellent culinary destination for your dinner, the Michelin starred restaurant Lux Lucis: this is the home of Chef Valentino Cassanelli’s kitchen, where the free expression of Italian cuisine triumphs combined with unbridled creativity, also deriving from the rich biodiversity present on the coast of Forte dei Marmi. An inspiration enriched by the close collaboration with the Maître Sommelier Sokol Ndreko, in which the dishes blend with the profiling of the flavor of particular wines. The result is a delicately balanced and elegant menus, which travel from land to sea and offer the best of seasonal ingredients, from spaghettoni with anchovies, water of burrata cheese, umebuoshi and caviar to the roasted, matured wild duck with Bazzone ham sauce, mango and fir. 

To end your stay in great beauty, you cannot fail to have a post-dinner drink in one of the most symbolic places of the lively Forte dei Marmi nightlife: La Capannina di Forte dei Marmi, also known as the Capannina di Franceschi. It is the oldest discoteque with restaurant in the world, and the only one that has never changed its name. La Capannina is a real point of reference for nightlife, able to attract people from all over Italy and from abroad, and its history dates back to 1929. It was Achille Franceschi who recovered an old hut by the sea, with the idea of ​​transforming it into a beach bar where where to serve cocktails and desserts, accompanying everything with the music of an antique gramophone. An idea that was immediately a great success, attracting the nobles of the Sforza, Della Gherardesca and Rucellai families, including intellectuals of the caliber of Eugenio Montale, Giuseppe Ungaretti and Leonida Repaci. The place, as it is today, is not the original one: a terrible fire completely destroyed it in 1939, and was then quickly rebuilt. True catchphrases and stars of the time were born on this stage, from Edoardo Vianello with his “Con le pinne, il fucile e gli occhiali” and Gino Paoli with “Sapore di Sale”, and stars performed inside La Capannina, such as Patty Pravo and Ornella Vanoni, but also internationals like Edith Piaf, Fred Bongusto and Gloria Gaynor.

Human history is inextricably linked to fashion evolution and often interlaced with the fabric textures that, over the centuries, have become iconic.

Among these, we certainly have to mention linen, part of style history since the dawn of time. But what is linen? Together with hemp and cotton, linen is one of the most used plant fibers by man: linen nets were already found in pile-dwelling villages of 8,000 or 11,000 years before Christ, and it was the very first textile fiber that men have ever woven: in fact, unlike wool or cotton, this material has long fibers which lend themselves to being immediately woven, and was one of the first textile fibers to have been created and marketed in Ancient Egypt. 

To prove the success of this fabric, there are various documents, come down to the present day and kept for centuries in pyramids, tombs, and stone inscriptions. Known for its whiteness, linen symbolized gods’ purity and became very popular over the years, especially in the Middle Ages, spreading throughout Europe; it is a popularity that continues today, both for the aesthetics of linen and for its properties — especially during summer.

The heat, humidity and frenetic rhythms of this season often do not go hand in hand with style and elegance, and the only solution is to opt for the use of comfortable and breathable fabrics, to be introduced in the wardrobe to feel always fresh and dry: linen fits perfectly in this category of fabrics, being a very precious natural fiber known for its breathability and the feeling of freshness.

As previously mentioned, linen is an ancient fabric, and among the reasons for its success are its cooling properties. Today linen is dealt with in ways that are much more impressive than centuries ago and the fabric has become even more valuable and, therefore, refined.

Available in many different colors, this fabric has become a symbol of class and ease, in particular in the classic warm shades for shirts and trousers, from off-white to light brown.

Wearing a linen garment is a symbol of class and elegance, as well as investing in an extremely durable and comfortable item of clothing. Perhaps yes, the linen fibers are not particularly elastic, but they are very resistant to heat and washing and, above all, they do not tend to discolor over time, becoming timeless and long-lasting.

In addition to being a great ally against the heat, this fabric absorbs humidity in an excellent way and, even on the hottest days, it does not adhere to the body, allowing the skin to breathe. But how to wear linen garments properly? During summer most clothes, even casual ones, become difficult to wear due to the fabric. Here, therefore, linen comes into play, offering an excellent alternative to cotton, another evergreen of the current season.

The only flaw of this material is that is easily wrinkled, but with some general foresight, it can be easily avoided. Also, high-quality linen fibers are between 18 and 30 inches long, and this means they’re not very likely to “relax”, becoming very wrinkly. A pronounced characteristic, by the way, that is a sign of a sophisticated casual style.

In addition to the lighter and classic shades for shirts and trousers, we also find colors and patterns suitable for different occasions, from cocktails by the pool to dinner in a refined outdoor restaurant (think the likes of Da Vittorio near Bergamo, Italy) from blue to pink, passing through the stripes. A wide choice for every personal taste.

Although Tuscany is one of the most visited regions in the World, especially for Florence, rightly called “the cradle of the Renaissance”, it is a particularly rich and varied territory not only for its main and most famous city. With seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a history dating back to the Bronze Age and breathtaking natural landscape, the italian region is also the perfect place for a little road trip on a week-end, discovering stunning and surprising places off the beaten path. Starting from Maremma: this is a large area in southern Tuscany, between the provinces of Livorno and Grosseto and, most of all, a place with ancient roots. Along the Aurelia road you can find the beautiful Capalbio, already visible from the road.

The town it’s really worth a visit, especially for the historic center – which is only accessible by foot – where at its highest point you can find the “Rocca Aldobrandesca“: built in medieval times, it has a spectacular tower leaning against the Collacchioni Palace. Although its interior is quite bare, some rooms are finely decorated, and in one of these we find a particularly valuable piece: the piano that Giacomo Puccini played during his stays in Capalbio. One of the most curious places in the area, but in Italy in general, is the Giardino dei Tarocchi, created by Niki de Saint Phalle. This is an esoteric garden on the Garavicchio hill, where you can find cyclopean sculptures from 12 to 15 meters dedicated to the symbols of the tarots, in particular the 22 major arcana: an actual “en plein air” museum with an exceptional charm, where Niki de Saint Phalle worked on the construction from 1979 to 1998. In order to preserve the magical atmosphere that reigns in the artistic park, visits are only possible from April to October.

But where to take advantage of the excellent Tuscan cuisine in the surroundings? In the small hilltop town of Montemerano you can find “Da Caino”, an authentic Tuscan restaurant two Michelin-starred. Here its chef, Valeria Piccini, creates regionally-inspired dishes that perfectly combines simplicity and creativity, in a perfect balance between rich flavours and astonishing combinations that really make feel the emotion and the love that get across. The restaurant produces its own wines, as well as an exceptional olive oil from groves containing some 900 trees.

Then, to fully enjoy your stay in Maremma, we recommend you to get closer to the sea, precisely to the splendid peninsula of Monte Argentario, to be able to wake up with the smell of the sea breeze. Here, in Porto Ercole, lies the Hotel Il Pellicano, a luxury boutique hotel which started life in 1965, when the Anglo-American couple Patricia and Michael Graham built a cliff-side villa for their glamorous parties. In 1979 the house was sold to present owner, entrepreneur Roberto Sciò, and a lot of celebrities came there through the years, from Kirk Douglas to Sophia Loren. Il Pellicano is the ideal place where being delighted by a splendid view because of its position: once inside, the guests are completely unaware of any nearby buildings. Apart from the yachts during summer. The rooms have been decorated inspired by the sea and Tuscan hues, some have sea views, and others overlook the mediterranean gardens, and all of them have a terrace or a balcony. In the bathrooms we can find Carrara marble or sophisticated tiles, with custom-made products by maître parfumeur Maria Candida Gentile. Last but not least, the spa of Il Pellicano uses Santa Maria Novella products from Florence.

For the second day of your weekend between Maremma and Val d’Orcia, we recommend a tour of the natural thermal baths, starting from the hot springs in Saturnia: the famous “Cascate del Mulino” present bubbling waters seeping through the Earth’s crust in an area stretching from Mount Amiata to the hills of Albenga and Fiora, and are rich in mineral deposits with a temperature of 37.5 °C, which have therapeutic and relaxing properties.

After your natural spa session, you may want to stop and take some time to explore the small town of Saturnia, a small town close to an Etruscan necropolis along the Roman road Clodia. Continuing your journey in the direction of Monte Amiata, you will find an excellent opportunity to stop for lunch: in the enchanting village of Pescina, where the tavern of the post station once stood, today here it is the Michelin-starred restaurant “Silene“, by Roberto Rossi, a place capable of gathering the ancient knowledge of good food and create a dynamic and avant-garde cuisine. The simplicity of the finest raw materials and the strong roots in the Seggianese territory are two fundamental ingredients in Silene’s cuisine, where a deep and visceral bond with the environment and its products reigns: from mushrooms to truffles, through the highest quality meat and fish, to freshly picked vegetables, everything at Silene rigorously follows the rhythm of seasonality, reinterpreted through the chef’s fervent creativity.

After Saturnia, for lovers of thermal baths it is impossible not to go to Val d’Orcia: the absolute protagonist here is the untouched landscape, between green valleys, the Orcia river, and the vineyards for the renowned wines of Brunello and Val d’Orcia DOC: it is no wonder that this territory is protected as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In this area you can visit the little town of Castiglion d’Orcia, with its fortress, and the picturesque Pienza, a real jewel known as the “Ideal City”, with the beautiful Palazzo Piccolomini. Then, you can relax yourself in one of the many thermal baths of the region, such as the ones in Bagni di San Filippo with its White Whale waterfall: the name comes from for the impressive calcium formation that characterizes the site, and its similarity to the mouth of a whale. The surreal atmosphere created by calciferous formations, waterfalls and small pools of hot water surrounded by the woods will seem to take you to another, dreamy world. Nevertheless, the calcium formation are really delicate, and you should not can walk on it.

In the late afternoon, we recommend you to go to Castiglione dell’Orcia, a town that is worth visiting for its rolling hills as well as for its artistic works, from the old Church of Santa Maria Maddalena, a Romanesque wonder made of stone, to the Church of Santi Stefano e Degna. The heart of Castiglione, Piazza il Vecchietta – named after the Castiglione-born artist – is home to the splendid Palazzo del Comune and an array of medieval buildings. Also, don’t miss the Rocca di Tentennano, a 13th-century fortress that emerges from a calciferous ridge in the heart of the Val d’Orcia. Here in this town, we selected for you one of the best restaurants to have dinner in the region: the freshly Michelin-starred Osteria Perillà.

Here, creative cuisine with exotic crossovers meets the authentic flavors of the area, from the Guinea fowl breast “Podere Forte” in pickled vegetables to the more classic Homemade Plin pasta filled with tomato consommé. The dining room present a delightful view over the mediaeval village center and displays a collection of artwork, but the guests can enjoy their meal also on the outdoor terrace, surrounded by white hydrangeas in the shade of lofty maritime pines. The kitchen is partially visible through a large glass window, so the more curious guests can observing the chef and his crew at work. To end this Tuscan weekend in style, treat yourself staying overnight at the Relais Osteria dell’Orcia, which summerizes the ultimate Tuscan elegance, the wonders of a private residence and the Italian “art de vivre”. The Relais has 16 bedrooms all decorated and furnished differently from each other, where the guests can take advantage of the silence of the Val d’Orcia countryside, sheltered in an intimate, large and green flower-colored garden. And, of course, sip a drink by the pool.

SEE THE WHOLE COLLECTION

Near Florence’s Fortezza da Basso during Pitti Uomo 2020, one could have expected a bit of, well, everything. Long traditional outerwear, such as Prince of Wales coats, match with tailored cotton trousers and a tie in the same colour. Short and double-breasted versions as well. Timeless navy blue coats, combined with a neutral and versatile wool jacket and trousers. Modern dandies inspired by sophisticated patterns, ever synonymous with high-class men, such as the single or double-breasted pied de poule in outerwear. Timeless shirts like a blue one are a must-have in reinterpreting and reviving fanciful silk ties.

Here are our favorite shots of the best street styles spotted at Pitti Uomo 2020.

Photography Christian Erra for Barròco.