When you look at the long history of menswear, it seems that everything comes back: flared jeans, wide leg pants, double breasted jackets, western wear. In this latest episode, Spencer, Ethan, and MJ discuss how menswear goes through its cycles of Revival, how its helpful to understand eras of clothing, and how these Revivals always augment the det…

In the latest bonus pod, the boys discuss Peter Bogdanovich's 30s send up to 30's road comedies: Paper Moon (1974)! It may have been made in the 70s but by golly, it looks like its straight out of 1938. Even the clothes are spot on! Ethan also shares his experience on the red carpet and watching Pulp Fiction at the TCL Chinese theater.Listen to a c…

The boys take a respite from faux-philosophical menswear topics to talk about two events where they went to the 80s...the 1980s and the 1580s to be exact! Spencer, MJ, and Ethan recount their misadventures at James's Birthday and the Renaissance Faire, getting into how they made their outfits and what the rest of the style scene was like. At the en…

How do you pick the “right” shoe for an outfit? Is it about formality? Color? Or the subculture or genre we’re trying to play up? We discuss it all on the latest episode of the podcast, going into our favorite pairs and even the little footwear rules and guidelines we give ourselves that ultimately play a part in our Personal Style.Ethan's Essay: h…

In this new bonus episode, the boys take a little field trip down nostalgia lane and discuss the style in Inspector Gadget— specifically the 1999 live action version starring Matthew Broderick. While the movie isn't great and certainly deviated from the classic cartoon look, we can't deny that there is something special about the live action Inspec…

In this bonus episode, we take a look at the 1950's clothing in L.A Confidential. With Exley's version of Ivy, Vincennes's hollywood-esque style, and Bud White's almost militaristic brown tones, this film is an excellent example of both character-based dresing and accurate period styling. It's also a fantastic noir (which we should make more of tod…

Our first guest of 2024 is here! It's Chadbourne Oliver, better known as @alltimedarling . Hailing from NYC, Chad is a corporate guy who moonlights as a vintage seller, alterationist (if he's got time), and a musician! And crazily enough, we became friends through Tiktok, the latest platform for fashion mfers to indulge themselves. We talk about ho…

Dating Attire is the topic of discussion! We talk about the "struggle" of wearing classic menswear when we go out, what we think we look good in, and the reception we've gotten from our matches and partners. It's a fun topic, mainly because we are fully aware of the fact that suits and ties aren't the most ideal thing to wear when trying to impress…

The Holdovers might be the best menswear movie of 2023. Hell if we're not counting Wes Anderson flicks, it may be the best one in a while. We know it's a bit late but that's because our discussion coincides with Spencer's solo trip to Boston, which was semi-inspired by the third act of the film. We talk about what Spencer did, what he packed to bra…

Outerwear, specifically big coats, is the topic for the latest pod! Big outerwear is one of the best reasons (and benefits) to wear menswear as it changes the vibe of an outfit, literally swallowing it up in cloth and providing some extra slouch or structure, depending on what style you go with. We discuss it all, especially the fact that we love B…

In the latest pod, we talk about an element of expression that isn't exactly a garment but still plays into our overall style: hair! With distinct facial hair and hairstyles being tied to certain eras, subcultures, and overall vibes, it is no surprise that it can be something we can leverage when having fun with our POV and expression. Let's talk h…

Bradley Cooper's Maestro is our last movie-menswear movie bonus pod of the year! We discuss the film and how it stacks up to Tár in terms of portraying a conductor/composer. We also dive into the style of both IRL and Film Lenny Bernstein, who dressed with ease in what seems to be EVERY possible facet of menswear. It seems that Summer needs to sing…

After dedicating episodes to Spencer and MJ's personal style this year, we decided to finish off 2023 with an interview with our very own Ethan. Even though every episode touches on his philosophy on getting dressed (for fun), this one puts [most] of his thoughts on one podcast. We specifically discuss his interest in connecting menswear to art/mus…

We discuss Killers of the Flower Moon on the the pod! Martin Scorsese's epic film has some of the best vintage costuming we've seen in a recent release, particularly because it spans the late 1910s to the mid 1920s, which really lets you see how menswear has changed throughout time. You can listen to a short clip now, but you'll have to subscribe o…

Trends! Love them or hate them, they are a big part of a fashion hobby that communicates your intentions with wearing clothes. While that can seem nihilistic, trends can actually be a useful source of inspiration...provided that you already have a strong taste to guide your participation. In this episode, we discuss our philosophy on trends, how it…

The SaDBoys discuss the Pocket Square! We get into how guys use it to harmonize the colors in their tailored outfits, how different aesthetics use it (like the TV fold for ivy or a unicorn-tapestry print in a puff fold for #menswear), how it isn't exactly a replacement for a tie, and ultimately how it can be a cool more to forgo wearing one at all!…

Calling Dick Tracy, Calling Dick Tracy! We cover Warren Beatty's take on the hard boiled detective. It's a silly film (that Gangster Squad seems to have ripped off), but its actually got really great costuming! Even though everything is exaggerated and colorful, every outfit is masterfully put together and evokes the spirit of the Golden Era. Ethan…

The next episode is about how much we love the brown suit. Oftentimes, brown suits are unfairly maligned and cast over in favor of navy and grey suits. A brown suit's rustic nature and lack of ubiquity give them an inherent charm that can be leveraged by any menswear enthusiast. Brown suits aren't necessarily corporate nor are they overly bold, but…

This bonus episode takes a look at Kenneth Branagh's latest Poirot installment: A Haunting In Venice. To our surprise, this spooky turn is actually a quite enjoyable film that does some fantastic period costuming worn by its rather small cast. There's a lot to enjoy about this one!You can listen to the first 15 minutes now on all platforms or join …

Since Barbenheimer is the phenomenon that got people dressing up for the movies, we've gotta talk about it! The SaDBoys discuss people's response to Barbenheimer, if they dressed to watch the double feature themselves, and the best menswear looks from the two films. Whether it's the Ken's faux-fur coat or Oppy's baggy suits, it's clear that the cos…

We got the King of Movie Style on the pod @bamfstyle ! We chat with Nick (that's his name) about how he started his iconic menswear website, his process in analyzing the fashion in his favorite movies, and what his taste in menswear is!It's a great interview that will surely please all the filmbros out there, especially those with an eye for clothi…

A movie about a rivalry between two con artists in the French Riviera while dressed in classic menswear? Yes, please! For this bonus episode, we watch Frank Oz's 1988 film "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels", which shows off Michael Caine's Lawrence Jamieson in his English trad glory, complete with DB blazers and regimental ties. Steve Martin's buffoonish Fr…

If The French Dispatch's 60s tailoring was made for Ethan, then the 50s Americana of Asteroid City was for Spencer. In the new bonus pod, the boys discuss the charming vacation and western attire found in Wes Anderson's latest film! We go into all the characters, note how there isn't THAT much western wear, and touch upon the meta framing of the fl…

In this next episode, the SaDBoys critically examine how they buy things, or at least as critically as they can. How many of our purchases were inspired by social media? How many purchases are made on impulse, whether on eBay or in person at the flea market? Are many of these things upgrades or replacements of things we already own or are they "new…

What's the deal with white suits? Well they have a curious history. They are perceived to be incredibly fancy yet white clothing has its roots in practical workwear. The hope would be that a white suit would be just as easy to wear, being made of casual cloth and as slouchy as they come. We discuss white tailoring on the latest episode, discussing …

Ethan is back from Italy and is ready to talk about the Dolce Vita! He goes through his packing process, how he ate geltao and drank nearly everyday, and goes into the menswear stores (as well as what he bought). It's a big one, so be sure to check out his blog for all the photos and nitty gritty details that we didn't have time for in this episode…

Ethan was away so Spencer and MJ are here to play! We go over Spencer's short Texas trip as well as what he wore during it. We also talk about what's been going on recently (like Succession) and what are excited to wear this season. This is a very laid back episode that should only further your parasocial relationships with us. Subscribe on patreon…

We heard the blues a-callin'! The next episode is all about the menswear in Frasier. With all the brown suits, double breasted Armani numbers, and jokes about classical music and cashmere, Frasier is one of our favorite shows. In fact as we get older, we've even found our lives aligning getting closer aligned to the Crane boys. No, not in terms of …

Style & Direction isn't immune to the writer's strike, so at the direction of our owners, we had to rely on ChatGPT to make our entire script for us. I guess the future is here and we must follow. There's also a few clips from previous episodes, which feature interviews with wacky guests and even snippets from The Style & Direction Cinematic Univer…

@brettwhite joins us on the pod! He's a stylish pop culture reporter that has a penchant for classic menswear, specifically through the lens of TV and comics. We speak to Brett about his unlikely source of menswear inspo, the struggles of finding clothes that fit perfectly out of the box (because tailors can be far), and what it's like to have made…

In this episode, we discuss basic and capsule wardrobes and how their pragmatic take to NOT be naked doesn't allow you to connect with your clothes in a meaningful way. Instead, we offer an alternative: the Foundational Wardrobe. It's more of a philosophy than a specific list and is meant to encourage introspection. The hope is that you'll be able …

In this bonus episode, Spencer tells us about his brief NYC trip! He was there for a conference but that didn't stop him from squeezing in menswear shopping and a few fit pics for us. Maybe a full SaD NYC trip will be on the horizon...Support us on Patreon for the full episode and join the Discord: https://www.patreon.com/styleanddirection/Photos o…

In this latest episode, Ethan takes Spencer and MJ through the book "Reflections on Musical Expression" by Peter Kivy which posits that expression is a valid method in evaluating and critiquing music through concepts of Contour and Convention. We extrapolate on that to say that making outfit is all about using the plethora of expressive details and…

Our coverage of the terrible menswear in Live By Night (2016) is here! This is the movie that put Affleck in baggy suits for no reason, makes 1926 look like 1946, and contains a flash back that lasts for about 30 minutes. If people want to ask why Golden Era Menswear never took the zeitgeist like Mad Men, just watch this mediocre gangster flick.Sho…

Producer MJ gets the limelight in the newest pod! We talk to him about how he was inspired to get into menswear through hanging out, how his expression remains personal (not just a carbon copy of Ethan and Spencer), and where he sees himself going next. He is newer to this after all!Ethan's Essay: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2023/03/11/my-brother-…

Chinatown is one of our favorite movies and we're excited to go over the film's costuming on the latest bonus pod! We go over it all, from Jake's awesome belt backs and spearpoint collars to Noah Cross's corduroy suit. Compared to some of the other movies we've covered, this one definitely takes the cake as one of the most accurate ones. Show notes…

The newest podcast episode is about defining what exactly is an “Occasion” and the “right” reasons to get fitted on the regular. This is because people tend to avoid “wasting” outfits, whatever that means. TL;DR, we see everyday life as an Occasion. Every activity we do is an opportunity to dress up. This could mean wearing a nice fit to get dinner…

This new episode is Spencer's attempt to codify what he calls "reporter style". The look comes from personal observation of the journalists he has interacted with professionally, famed journalists of the last century and of course, the image of the reporter that was created by Hollywood in films like “All the President’s Men” or “The Parallax View”…

The first bonus of 2023 is all about The Sting (1973). We watch the beloved grift movie and cover its 70s-does-30s attire that actually looks pretty great. Its full of grey fedoras, sharp suits, and elegant tuxedos. That's all stuff we like!Show notes: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2023/01/29/i-finally-watched-the-sting-1973/Subscribe on Patreon for…

In this episode, we discuss the Tangibility of our various menswear experiences on the pod and how it helped us in our journeys and how it assists in "evangelism". A "tangible experience" could mean anything, from trying something new at the store to just handling your clothes and carefully making outfits. Getting tangible is what connects you to y…

The first pod of 2023 is here and it's all about menswear "evangelism" or how to get others into this little hobby. The discussion talks about what type of advice people respond to, anecdotes about how we introduced our friends to specific pieces, and what seems to work in getting them to approach clothing in a personal rather way instead of being …

The 1920s are back! In this bonus episode, the SaD Boys cover the attire in Damien Chazelle's Babylon. The outfits are meh and the film is...interesting, but its worth a watch if you just love the movies. We also talk about Avatar 2, which sounds random but if you see Babylon...you'll know why it makes sense. Ftxozä Kerìsmìsä Lefpom!Show Notes: htt…

What does "Menswear as Hobby" mean to us? Fun! This hobby is not just about gathering inspo or collecting specific garments, it's ALL of it, culminating in putting together daily outfits wearing them out. We also discuss how menswear compares to our other activities and how fun will always be the higher priority when compared to practically coverin…

Three fashion movies all released in close proximity? What a treat for Ethan and Spencer! This bonus pod covers some of the great film fits we've seen including the slouchy tied sweaters on Tar, the immaculate black tie in Amsterdam, and the contrasting American and British looks in See How They Run. They're all worth a watch, so try to see them be…

Spencer and Ethan reflect and apply the framework provided in W. David Marx's new book: Status & Culture. It's not a proper book review, but the SaDBoys do get into it, sharing whether they agree on their own status, what they perceive benefits of high status to be, and how the internet and monoculture are setting back culture. Don't worry, we (alo…

Our friend Doug is the next guest on the podcast! Not only is he an actor famous for his Amazon and Liberty Mutual spots, but he's one of the most stylish guys we know. Doug's knowledge from collecting(and selling) vintage Americana was obviously quite formative for our style, and so we had to have him on. We discuss his predilection for minimalism…

We’re posting the Bonus early so you can hear all about Ethan’s NYC trip! He tells us about the cool shops he went to, the Patreon dinner, and what he ended up bringing home. We also get to discuss the mid century style of Don’t Worry Darling (and its bizarre plot). Ethan’s Essay: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2022/10/09/nyc-2022-a-trip-just-to-hang…

As we get deeper into the "no context" world, it's only fair that we discuss irony and subversion! We talk about the difference between the two, how irony can be a weak defense for a 'bad" fit, and how when time goes on, things will become less subversive— and that's okay! Fashion should be about what we enjoy wearing!Ethan's Essay: https://alittle…

This bonus episode just might be the wildest one yet, with topics like Spencer's new fascination with necklaces, Ethan on farts, compound interest, and a primer on Status and Culture which we will dive into more in a future episode. Support us on Patreon and join the Discord: https://www.patreon.com/styleanddirection/Follow us on Instagram!@Stylean…

Silvia (@bitchplisse) is the latest guest in the SaD Canon. She's has a unique taste in style in that she dresses for proportions instead of formality or a specific style genre. Most of her fits echo a lot of what we like in classic menswear! We chat about how she formed her style, how we can appreciate designers, and the inverse relationship betwe…