The Italian designer team of Dolce & Gabbana has kicked off Milan's fashion week in relaxed style, taking inspiration from oriental kimonos to kit out men in silk evening pyjamas for next summer.

Asian-style prints of dragons and butterflies decorated robes and shorts in black, white, grey, sepia and ivory for the duo's signature line.

Evening jackets teamed with black shorts, said to reflect "the relaxed lifestyle of the modern man".

Designers used crocodile and suede for jackets and limited-edition sneakers that also came in mixed leathers.

Some models were sent out with double-handled bags, and wore python, crocodile, eel or patent-leather sandals. At Burberry Prorsum designer Christopher Bailey looked to the garden for his Crumpled Classics collection, using crumpled shirts, jackets, coats and hats.

"I wanted it to feel very neutral, I liked this idea of a garden," Bailey said.

He accessorised with battered Panama gardening hats and check canvas, and oversized leather totes.

Versace's design head, Donatella Versace, rolled up sleeves and squared-off shirt hems as part of a collection summarised as "formal attitude, informal mindset".

In place of ties, models wore narrow silk scarves in white or pale colours, also sporting sunglasses with brightly coloured rims. Trousers were both slimmer and wider-style.

Milan's spring and summer 2009 menswear shows run until June 24. More than 40 designers are holding catwalk shows.