Men's Style & Fashion Podcast - The VOU

In today's podcast we are looking at "How to Be a Gentleman" by John Bridges who aims to equip men with a practical takes on modern etiquette, emphasizing the importance of consideration for others. We'll cover several aspect of a gentleman's life, from social interactions and dining to professional conduct and travel and give you detailed advice on topics like using a cel...

In today's men's podcast, we discuss Ametora - How Japan Saved American Style by W. David Marx, highlighting the captivating and complex relationship between Japanese youth culture and American fashion. We reveal how Japanese fascination with American style developed through distinct waves - starting with the adoption of Ivy League fashion in the 1960s - each wave defined by a specific a...

In this podcast, we discuss "The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Costume and Fashion 1550-1920" by Jack Cassin-Scott. We'll take you on a visual journey through fashion history, different styles of dress and fashion accessories prevalent between the 16th and 18th centuries, providing a detailed glossary of terms alongside numerous illustrations that depict these styles. We'll also...

In this session, we'll cover "The Official Preppy Handbook" by Lisa Birnbach, Jonathan Roberts, Carol Mcd Wallace, and Mason Wiley, a humorous guide to the manners, customs, practices and fashion style of "preppies." We'll explore the preppy lifestyle, dress etiquette, social behaviour, preppy schools, holidays, sporting activities, rituals and traditions of this spec...

In this podcast, we discuss "True Prep: It's a Whole New Old World," a humorous guide to the modern preppy lifestyle by Lisa Birnbach and Chip Kidd. We'll explore the world of preppies through witty anecdotes and satirical observations; defining characteristics of preppy culture, from fashion and education to leisure activities and social etiquette. We'll look at the evolu...

In today's podcast, we discuss "Men’s Style: Quick Guide to Improve Your Style and Dress Like a Real Man by William Wyatt" a guide for men on improving their personal style and dressing more professionally. We'll see why the author argues that "a man's style reflects his inner world and that how he presents himself impacts how others perceive him." We'll off...

In today's session, we discuss "Gentleman: A Timeless Fashion" by Bernhard Roetzel, a men's styling guide emphasizing a dress code rooted in English tradition, widely accepted as the most classic style worldwide. We cover a wide range of topics related to a gentleman's wardrobe, including grooming, shirts, suits, shoes, accessories, and even items like umbrellas, cigarette...

In this podcast, we discuss "Fashion and Feeling - The Affective Politics of Dress by Roberto Filippello and Ilya Parkins" an excellent selection of chapters exploring fashion and feeling. We'll be focusing on how clothing can be more than mere material objects and can be seen as embodying and communicating emotions, ideas, and historical context. Each chapter explores the affective...

In this podcast, we dissect Bernhard Roetzel's "Gentleman Lookbook" and the impact of different styles on men’s fashion, including influences from the American Ivy League and Bavarian-Austrian influences. We guide you step by step through formal wear, outlining the history and significance of different garments, such as the tailcoat, morning coat, and dinner suit, and how to create...

In this podcast, we discuss Peter Post’s "Essential Manners for Men - What to Do, When to Do It, and Why," a guide to modern etiquette specifically aimed at men and the importance of etiquette in real-world contexts. We discuss men's manners, from daily domestic interactions to dating, casual interactions, and more formal events like weddings and business dinners. We'll share a...

In this podcast, we dive into "Men's Style Manual" by Daniel Peres, the editor-in-chief of Details magazine and his takes on how men can dress well by understanding different fashion styles,  choosing the right garments, how to style and match, and achieve a perfect fit.  A Men's Styling Podcast Made with LOVE by The VOU's Expert Image Consultants.

Today, we discuss the life and work of Christian Dior, the renowned French fashion designer, and his impact on the world of haute couture. We start by highlighting the unique and influential nature of Dior's fashion legacy, a name synonymous with luxury and elegance. We'll delve into Dior's personal journey, tracing his initial resistance to a career in fashion and his eventual rise...

In this podcast, we discuss "Clothes and the Man: The Principles of Fine Men's Dress" by Alan J Flusser and the secrets of fine men's dress, focusing on suits and their various components, including silhouette, fabrics, details, and fit. We explore the history and evolution of each garment, highlighting the finer points and offering practical advice on choosing, fitting, and st...

In this podcast, we discuss "The Complete Color Harmony: Pantone Edition by Leatrice Eiseman," Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute. We start with a foreword by Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute, who emphasizes the crucial role colour plays in communication and evoking emotion. After that, we delve into the fundamental concepts of colour harmony,...

In this podcast, we discuss "Men's Style Mastery," a guide for busy professionals who want to improve their confidence and personal style. We cover everything from goal setting and wardrobe building to understanding how clothes should fit and avoiding common mistakes. We share the author's experiences and those of his students to illustrate key principles and offer actionable a...

Today, we discuss "Colors in Fashion," a collection of essays by various international scholars edited by Jonathan Faiers and Mary Westerman Bulgarella. We explore the complex meanings and cultural significance of color in fashion in four thematic sections:  1. Colour and Solidarity 2. Colour and Power 3. Colour and Innovation 4. Colour and Desire We also discuss the use of colour in soc...

Today, we discuss "Shoes, Hats and Fashion Accessories: A Pictorial Archive 1850-1940," a book by Carol Belanger Grafton. The book contains over 2,000 illustrations of shoes, hats, and accessories from the 19th century up to the 1940s collected from various sources such as the Dover Pictorial Archive Series, which features various historical designs and motifs, fashion magazines, and tra...

In this podcast, we tackle one of our favourites, "Dressing the Man - Mastering the Art of Permanent Fashion" by Alan Flusser, and his super accurate guide to modern men's fashion. We'll cover how to develop your fashion style and a timeless wardrobe that perfectly suits your physique and personality. We'll also explore various facets of modern menswear, from classic suit...

In this session, we discuss "Dress for Success" by John T. Molloy, exploring the social and professional power of clothing. We'll show you how clothing is a powerful signifier of social class and status and how understanding these visual codes is instrumental in achieving success in your personal and professional life. We'll also give you detailed advice on choosing clothing, a...

In this podcast, we discuss "Dressing Up: Menswear in the Age of Social Media" by Joshua Bluteau and men's fashion through the lens of high-end bespoke tailoring and social media. That is, how Instagram influences men's identity expression through fashion, the essence of authenticity and the impact of social media on concepts of masculinity. Get ready for an intricate interplay...

In this podcast, we'll discuss "Effortless Outfits by Robert Van Tongeren", an actionable guide to simplify men's fashion. We'll start by providing advice on how to put together stylish outfits according to the most basic matching rules of styling, according to colours and patterns. We'll then discuss how to match accessories like shoes, socks, belts, bags, and jewell...

In this podcast, we share the secrets of Paul Burrell, the former butler to Diana, Princess of Wales, from his book "In the Royal Manner." Drawing on experiences working for the Royal Family, Burrell's advice on high society etiquette is top-notch. We'll cover manners at seasonal events, such as Christmas, Easter and summer weddings, and offer detailed instructions for setting...

Today, we discuss "The Ultimate Fashion Guide: What to Wear and How to Wear it with Style" by Michelle Colson, a comprehensive guide to fashion. We start with a historical overview of fashion trends from ancient Rome to the present day, exploring the influence of designers, buyers, and the fashion media on the industry. We'll also look at practical advice on developing a personal st...

In this podcast, we discuss unique fashion insights from "The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Clothing through American History 1900 to the Present" by Amy T. Peterson, Valerie Hewitt, Heather Vaughan Lee, Ann T. Kellogg, José Blanco F., Scott Leff, Lynn Payne, and the influence of fashion on American society during the first half of the 20th century. We'll see how the evolution of clothi...

Today, we discuss "Men in Style: The Golden Age of Fashion From Esquire", written by Woody Hochswender and edited by Kim Johnson Gross, a book that chronicles men's fashion trends in the United States, drawing on illustrations and editorial content from the magazine Esquire during the 1930s, 1940s, and the immediate post-war era. We explore the evolution of men's fashion throug...