Between the European Cup and the London Olympics, sport was on many people’s minds, and TVs during the lead up to Fashion Week. Sport has often influenced men’s fashion, from the physique of the sportsman, to the values and the pure machismo displayed in many sports. Designers, always open to drawing inspirations form the outside, looked onto the world of sport and created collections varied in their looks, yet similar in message: genuinity, like the passion of the dedicated sportsmen.

Shorts, have turned out to be the must have item of the SS13 season: super short, tailored or minimalist, whether teamed to the new t shirt, or matched to a blazer, shorts are omni present. This new form of tailoring has effected the whole look of the season and is reflected also in the knitwear.

The colour palette is typically summery, consisting of orange, yellow, purple and turquoise. Brown, mixed with neutrals represents the chicest colour combination for SS13, while the total white continues to be strong. Bold stripes and prints finish off a carousel of rainbow hues which will humour the following summer.

 Summer calls for bright colours, and SS13 calls for vibrant secondary hues. Purple, orange and turquoise blue, like the sea, freshen up the fashion in the summer heat. Yellow, like the sun, is the main primary colour, and like the sun, it will feed our styles next summer.

 White hot. Summer 2013 sees an increase in the total white look. Elegant, understated and rigorously tailored silhouettes, the cool white statement holds its tight grip on the runways and on next summer’s parties.

When it comes to summer, neutral, natural colours, like sage green sand and beige are ever so elegant. For Spring Summer 2013, mix them tobacco brown for a classically inspired look.

 Summer begs for prints, they’re bright and fun. For the season, stripes have been re-polished: forget gondolier or French Riviera sailor styles, stripes take on a whole new, modern feel. The floral print trend continues, as does the foulard print, but with a twist of patchwork, paper or postcard prints work too.

 As with womenswear last season, the summer coat is the new must have item in the SS13 season. Demure classic raincoats or even brightly coloured military style jackets all made a clear statements on the runway.

 In a season which looks toward the sporting arena, the bomber jacket would have been a suspicious absentee. For SS13 the runways teemed with luxurious satin, technical fabrics or and of course cotton bomber jackets. The silhouettes differed too, from puffy to minimalist.

 The parka got a bad rep in the past and was mainly associated with geeky speck-eyed boffins. Well for SS2013 the parka is super cool, super trendy and super luxe. Voluminous and mainly made in technical materials, the parka is the new must have item for the season.

 The blazer is the usual suspect on the menswear runways, and a bar against which the whole mood of the season is measured. The doubl-breastede version is very much unique to the season’s trends. Either classic length or longer, its lightness is mesmerizing, deconstructed and often made using more feminine materials such as satin, chiffon and organza.

 The suit takes on a new life in Spring Summer 2013: light, summery and worn with shorts. Not less smart, if you consider knees to be an elegant accessory, the new suit is more about a style statement than a work statement.

The season’s trousers have one definite silhouette, carrot shaped leg and high waist. Perhaps not as commercial as other seasons, this new trouser is a welcome breath of fresh air from those low slung pants men everywhere continue to wear. No less comfortable, as the slouchy fit is still a must, the new, casual look is a valid alternative.

 Summer and shorts are an inseparable couple, but in SS13, shorts have sort or taken over the show. As well as being worn under suits, for a new smart look, shorts come in all shapes, and sizes. In a veritable invasion of the knobbly knee brigade shorts commanded the runways.

 Jersey has been banned from the catwalks for the Spring Summer 2013 season. T-shirts are once again clean, basic and thoroughly natural items of clothing. Slouchy, oversize and rigorously made of linen or cotton, the new t-shirt is a welcome return to basics.

 Shirts have followed suit, and much like the t-shirts, they have taken on a refreshing, new look while reconsidering past shapes and silhouettes.

 Gone are the days of the aertex polo shirt and we’re back to the knitted versions. Classic, and fifties inspired, the knitted polo shirt speaks of an old world elegance, when men, even in casual attire were always chic.

 Twinkle toes! Sandals are back with a vengeance. From modern gladiators to fishermen’s strappy ones sandals are the must have accessory for SS13. In available in a variety of finishes and colours, they look great with the new carrot trousers and of course shorts. Dare to show off your novelty socks too.

Styled by: Yuri Ahn

Written by: Valentina Zannoni

Credits: Luca Cannonieri and Michele Morosi