Men's Style & Fashion Podcast - The VOU

In today's podcast for men, we crack open Bernhard Roetzel's "Gentleman" – the cult classic that reveals why the truly powerful men dress differently than everyone else. Discover why Savile Row tailors are the "Mecca" of menswear and how they can transform not just your appearance but your confidence. Learn why top businessmen visit John Lobb for $2000 shoes while you...

In this episode of The VOU Podcast for Men, we dive into The Ivy League by Daniel Cappello — a richly layered book that’s part institutional history, part cultural anthropology, and part style manual for the quietly powerful. Considered exploration of how eight elite American universities shaped not only academia and politics but also fashion, status, and masculine identity. We unpack how the Ivy...

In this essential episode of The VOU Podcast for Men, we crack open Gentleman: A Timeless Guide to Fashion — Bernhard Roetzel’s enduring masterclass on classic menswear. First published in 1999 and still regarded as the benchmark for dressing with purpose and polish, Gentleman is more than a style guide — it’s a manual for living with intent, one well-cut lapel and welted sole at a time. Join us a...

In this sharp-edged episode of The VOU Podcast for Men, we turn our lens to Sharp Suits by Eric Musgrave — the definitive chronicle of the suit’s evolution from aristocratic uniform to modern menswear icon. Join us and two expert guests as we dissect this richly illustrated cultural history, packed with pinstripes, power dressing, and the personalities who made the suit a symbol of everything from...

In this episode of The VOU Podcast for Men, we open the cult classic Take Ivy - the iconic 1965 Japanese photobook that captured the Ivy League campuses of America and redefined men’s style across the globe. Join us as we step into this quiet revolution in fashion, where khakis, loafers, OCBDs, and natural-shouldered blazers became the unofficial uniform of effortless cool. Shot candidly on the ca...

In this in-depth episode of The VOU Podcast for men, we dive into The Men’s Fashion Book, the game-changing compendium chronicling 200 years of menswear. Join us as we unpack this ambitious A–Z volume, from Savile Row tailors and streetwear legends to iconic rock stars and cultural revolutionaries, we explore the fascinating mosaic of characters that shaped how men dress. Tune in as we discuss sur...

In today’s podcast, we explore Icons of Men’s Style by Josh Sims—a visual and cultural odyssey through the most enduring garments in the male wardrobe. More than a coffee-table book, Sims’s work traces the military, industrial, athletic, and cinematic origins of iconic pieces like the trench coat, leather jacket, blue jeans, white T-shirt, aviator sunglasses, duffle coat, and even the humble sweat...

In today’s podcast, we delve into Cally Blackman’s 100 Years of Menswear - a sweeping exploration of men’s fashion from 1900 to the early 2000s, revealing how the male wardrobe became one of the most potent instruments of cultural identity and rebellion. Far more than a catalogue of suits and streetwear, Blackman’s work examines the social codes, historical upheavals, and subcultural innovations t...

In today's podcast, we explore the Old Money style as presented in the book "Old Money Style Guide - Dress Like True Aristocracy" by Laurenti Arnault and Ru Amiri. This comprehensive guide reveals how aristocratic refinement created history's most enduring sartorial language. The average Old Money wardrobe contains garments aged 15+ years, with English shoes often resoled 20+ t...

In today's podcast, we explore Alta Borghesia style as presented in the book "Alta Borghesia Style Guide - Dress Like Italian Aristocracy" by Laurenti Arnault and Ru Amiri. This comprehensive guide reveals how Italy's upper class developed a distinctive aesthetic that communicates heritage, taste, and social position through subtle sartorial choices. The typical Alta Borghesia...

In today's podcast, we look at the essence of Scottish Highland Style, as curated from "The VOU's Scottish Highland Style Guide: How to Dress Like True Scottish Nobility" by Laurenti Arnault and Ru Amiri, revealing how centuries of tradition and aristocratic refinement have created one of the world's most distinctive sartorial languages.  The book brilliantly deconstructs...

In today's podcast, we look at the essence of Australian Old Money Style for men, as curated from "The VOU's Ultimate Guide to Australian Preppy Style and Down-Under Old Money Elegance" by Laurenti Arnault and Ru Amiri, revealing how the unique Australian approach to preppy fashion creates a distinctive sartorial statement.  The book brilliantly analyzes the adaptation of tradi...

In today's podcast, we look at the essence of Nautical Aristocrat style, as curated from "The VOU's Cape Cod Style Mastery: How to Dress Like a Nautical Aristocrat" by Ru Amiri and Laurenti Arnault, revealing how America's coastal elite developed a distinctive wardrobe that balances maritime functionality with refined leisure.  The book expertly deconstructs the evolution...

In today's podcast, we look at the essence of Modern Old Money Style for men, as curated from "Modern Old Money Mastery - The VOU's Style Guide to Timeless Luxury by Laurenti Arnault and Ru Amiri, revealing how GenZ reinvents the classic Old Money style.  The book brilliantly deconstructs several modern case studies while revealing the fascinating historical foundations of true old...

In today's podcast, we discuss proper men's etiquette for various social situations, including conversation, dining, social calls, and participation in sports like balls and hunting. We'll emphasize the importance of refinement, good manners, and self-control in all aspects of a gentleman's life and offer specific advice on fashion and interacting with others. So, if you have e...

"In 1896, tennis champion Bill Tilden shocked the sports world by appearing at Wimbledon in what we now know as tennis whites - but these weren't originally meant for style. The all-white dress code was instituted because early tennis players found that sweat stains showed embarrassingly on coloured clothing. This practical solution would go on to become one of Preppy style's most e...

In 1954, at Harvard's Hasty Pudding Club, an extraordinary battle was quietly raging. A group of students had begun wearing their tweed jackets folded at the seams to create a distinctive rumpled look - a deliberate act of rebellion against the starched formality of the day.  The style caught on so quickly that the campus newspaper ran a scathing editorial condemning this "willful destru...

Discover the timeless elegance of British upper-class style with this definitive guide to mastering the Sloane Ranger aesthetic. We delve deep into the rich heritage and subtle sophistication that defines one of Britain's most enduring fashion traditions, showcasing how the Sloane Ranger style evolved from its origins in Chelsea's Sloane Square to become a global symbol of refined taste....

In today's podcast, we discuss "Inside the Westminster Menswear Archive" by Andrew Groves and Danielle Sprecher, a catalogue showcasing a menswear collection. We examine designers and garments from various periods, exploring themes of masculinity, technology, and the evolution of menswear. Specific garments are detailed, highlighting their historical context, design features, and ma...

In today's podcast, we discuss How to Behave by Samuel R. Wells, an etiquette guide that aimed to cultivate true American gentility. While the text was written over a century ago, the content is more relevant than ever, especially in our modern days of misinformation and tik-tok-driven trends that are not always correct or healthy. We'll cover a wide range of topics, from correct persona...

Since the 1980s, American sneaker enthusiasts, popularly known as “sneakerheads” or “sneakerholics”, have created a distinctive identity, while sneaker manufacturers such as Nike, Adidas, and Reebok have become global fashion brands. In today's podcast, we tackle Yuniya Kawamura's Sneakers - Fashion, Gender, and Subculture, the first sociological study dedicated entirely to sneakers. We&...

In today's podcast for stylish men, we discuss "Vintage Menswear - A Collection from the Vintage Showroom by Josh Sims, Douglas Gunn, and Roy Luckett," three experts in vintage menswear. Their work is an extensive collection of approximately 150 vintage menswear garments from The Vintage Showroom, a London-based company. We'll explore garments' history and design details s...

In today's podcast, we discuss Aki Choklat's Menswear Trends, a guide to understanding and predicting menswear trends. Choklat traces menswear evolution through societal shifts and technological advancements to detail the methodologies for trend forecasting, including sociological theories and intuitive approaches. He analyses various consumer segments and uses key strategies and in-dept...

In today's talk, we discuss "The Suit - Form, Function and Style by Christopher Breward" and unpick the story of the suit, the most familiar menswear garment, from its emergence in Western Europe at the end of the seventeenth century to current days. Suit-wearing individuals, such as the Savile Row gentleman and the Wall Street businessman, have long embodied ideas of tradition, mas...

In today's podcast, we discuss Kelvin Davis's "Notoriously Dapper" self-help guide for modern gentlemen. We cover topics ranging from personal style and body confidence to relationship advice and family matters informed by Davis's experiences as a black man navigating societal expectations. We emphasise the importance of kindness, self-love, and positive behaviour while bl...