Ethan tells us all about his epic NYC trip! He shares his experience attending the Permanent Style x Rubato Party at J. Mueser, hanging out with the Male Fashion Advice Discord, and two full weekends at Alfargo's Marketplace! Ethan's Blog: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2024/11/04/ethan-in-nyc-2024-the-best-one-yet/Support us on Patreon and join the …

We look at the 1954 film that inspired Indiana Jones and it is....a drag. It's a boring film without a semblance of adventure. The menswear on the other hand is pretty good! It's easy to see why Spielberg saw this film and decided to copy Steele's look: a leather jacket, officer pinks, and a big fedora. There's also a few other cool looks too! It's…

Part 2 of our coverage of Indiana Jones is here! It's clear that Indy isn't the only well dressed character in the franchise! There's a whole slew of great outfits to be found, like the ivy of his father Dr. Henry Jones Sr., the greaser look on his son Mutt (ripped from Marlon Brando), and of course Sallah's summer tailoring. We discuss all of the …

This is Part 1 of our two part series on Indiana Jones, with this one focusing specifically on the adventuring archaeologist. We LOVE this franchise as its a fantastic example of character based costuming, with each detail sharing something about the person as well as the era it is set in. The SaDBoys dive deep on everything Indy wears, from his cr…

The boys discuss Ethan's Hawaiian vacation and whether or not a hot dog is a sandwich. And then they all take a trip to Bali Ha'i and discuss the milsurpy glory of the menswear in South Pacific!Show Notes: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2024/09/22/the-menswear-in-south-pacific-1958/Support us on Patreon and join the Discord: https://www.patreon.com/s…

We finally watched The Red Shoes and fell in love with its glorious vintage menswear. Its an Apparel Arts-lovers dream with its various takes on tailoring, superb casual attire, and of course, ICONIC two lounge wear outfits that is unlike anything we've ever seen in a film. "The Red Shoes" is bound to inspire a few fits before summer comes to a clo…

We return to discussing our obsessions with specific garments with a new episode on the Pinstripe and Chalkstripe Suit. It's a garment oozes confidence and power thanks to its history of being worn by businessmen, criminals, and myriad of well dressed men over the years. Spencer and Ethan share their own takes on this iconic pattern as they get int…

This next episode is all about Inspiration: mainly where we get it and how we act on it! After all, being into fashion is really about *acting* on Inspo. It could be replicating an outfit you saw online, being enamored with a combo in a painting, or trying to capture the vibe of a photograph. We also discuss how Ethan is obsessed with Inspo and how…

It's about time we did a guide! In this episode, Spencer, Ethan, and MJ share how they stay stylish in a SoCal summer. They get into their favorite summer pieces, the different POVs that guide their outfits, and how they stay excited about dressing even when they know its going to be a scorcher. Ethan's Essay: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2024/07/2…

July was kind to us and gave us TWO 60s movies with pretty decent costuming. Fly Me To The Moon boasts some fun late 60s menswear ranging from knit tees and neck scarves to short brimmed fedoras and the NASA Special (the short sleeve shirt, slim tie, and browline glasses). The Bikeriders on the other hand fuels our Americana dreams with sportshirts…

Is being into menswear Pretentious? Does having strong taste make you a Snob? Is it bad to be Pretentious? The SaD boys answer these questions as they discuss Dan Fox's incredible essay: Pretentiousness & Why It Matters all in the latest podcast. Spoiler alert by the end of it, you may just end up thinking that being Pretentious is a good thing and…

Hoo-ah! We watched Scent of a Woman (1992) and to our surprise, it's a decent menswear film! Not only is there some classic tailoring but there is a swath of ivy as well. It's also pretty funny thanks to Al Pacino's equally horny and despondent acting. Subscribe on patreon for the full episode as well as access to our Discord! https://www.patreon.c…

In this pod, the SaD Boys discuss how we frame giving menswear feedback, advice, and critique! We go into how important it is for Askers to set intentional goals, how Advice Givers should function as guides and help guide the conversation, and how we should all focus on building Awareness and experience to help achieve a POV. Because in the end, ho…

We cover the actually-pretty great menswear in Michael Mann's 2009 film, Public Enemies! The outfits are quite spectacular and certainly period accurate— everyone gets to wear a double breasted suit, spearpoint collar, a big coat, and a fedora. It's so good!We also briefly share some thoughts about the most recent Met Gala (I know we're late). List…

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…