Style and Direction

After eight years, Ethan has finally returned to Japan and made a big, long podcast about it! In this episode, he talks about how much street style has changed in eight years, the state of vintage and contemporary menswear stores, and making 10+ dynamic, casual outfits despite only bringing a carry-on (crazy, I know). Oh, and he talks about what he bought, which, as expected, was much more than hi...

We got our heads all the way up HEAT (1995), Michael Mann's crime drama that features Lt. Vincent Hanna's (Al Pacino's) crusade against master thief Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro). Both characters are professional and highly competent, not just in their actions but in their attire. Both of them and their respective crews are suited up, with no room for slouch or laziness...except for Waingro, that...

Spencer, Ethan, and MJ talk about mini golf attire, how they would wear a cape, and how the Pith Helmet is an underrated spring hat. They also launch into a big discussion on the concept of stylists, how it feels odd to outsource their creative taste, and how much they like to have a personal hand in how the decorate their lives, be it through art, books, furniture, and yes, clothes! Ethan’s Blog:...

The new pod is all about Whimsy, a storied and chronically-online term that we think best describes our approach to menswear. To us, Whimsy is about Free Will, our agency to make things fun and amusing just for ourselves, a sentiment that we wished people would lean into more. We talk about how Whimsy permeates through our love of details and particular garments as well as to our juxtaposition-hea...

Our love of 50s menswear in movies continues in our next bonus pod, which delves into the outfits in Robert Redford's "Quiz Show" (1994)! This historical drama is set in 1958 and covers how lawyer Richard Goodwin investigated the rigged game show Twenty-One and how the scandal affected contestants Herb Stempel and Charles Van Doren, and by extension, the media culture of America at the time. Becau...

In this pod, Spencer, MJ, and Ethan talk about a lot! There's a recap of fun cosplay events that Ethan went to, like Universal Fan Fest, Star Wars Day, and a Funeral themed birthday. We also talk a little bit about capes! But the big topic was reminiscing over an Occasion Spencer and Ethan did EIGHT years ago: a trip to the Getty. Like all of their hangs, they were both dressed up— and so we decid...

Spencer, MJ, and Ethan talk about how they would dress for Bob Baker Day by getting inspo from puppets AND their puppeteers! Ethan also recaps his very Anglo Thursday, as he went to parties for Drake's and Permanent Style. The SaDBoys finish the episode by discussing Apparel Arts yet again, this time focusing on some particularly cheeky headlines and delightfully witty copy. Menswear media really...

The subject of this bonus pod is a certified Golden Era Classic: An American in Paris! Can you believe that NONE of us have seen it until now? We talk about the wonderful music, the impressive choreography (ballet is v cool), and of course, the fantastic (and ultimately quite subtle) 50s menswear featured in the film. With Spring firmly here, it's certainly one to watch for casual inspo....and it...

New pod is out! We talk solid ties at a spring wedding, Derby looks for betting on a horse race, and the fantasy forward stylings of the Renaissance Pleasure Faire and making your vintage menswear work for LARPing with swords and Nerf blasters. The biggest discussion is our review of Esquire's Big Black Book Style Manual from F/W 2009 and S/S 2011. With its classic styling and expressive writing,...

In this pod, the SaDBoys get into quite a bit! Spencer talks about his latest batch of inspo photos that basically look like how he dresses already, as well as goes over the stuff in his eBay watchlist. Ethan talks about how the youth are wearing slim suit jackets...but pairing them with thrifted trousers in order to get them high and wide; there's also some Black Tie talk. MJ talks about finding...

This is a clip of the latest Bonus pod! For the full episode, please subscribe on Patreon. This bonus pod is our salute to the menswear Tintin! The comics and CGI movie are a menswear enthusiast's dream. Each panel is vibrant and expressive, being a great case study for mid-century European menswear that is ripe for inclusion in an inspo album. Think tattersall vests, fedoras, boaters, bow ties, a...

In this episode, the SaDBoys talk about the Fruit of the Loom DB, Ethan's love for his new bib shirt, and Spencer's fascination with vintage sportswear. You know: warm-up jackets and short shorts. Also, we get into a deep discussion about the Aperture of Acceptibility and how people’s acceptance of our bold fits isn’t static, but *dynamic*. This isn’t done just through piecemeal edits of our outfi...

In this episode, the SaDBoys talk about getting shoes resoled, the J. Press runway show (it’s not *that* bad guys), and their festive red and pink fits for Valentine's Day! Ethan’s Blog: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/03/03/resoles-a-new-grey-suit-loving-and-larp-ing-around-in-riding-boots/ Support us on Patreon and join the Discord: https://www.patreon.com/styleanddirection/ Follow us on Insta...

This is a clip of the latest Bonus pod! For the full episode, please subscribe on Patreon. In this bonus pod, we talk about the workwear/Americana goodness found in Clint Bentley's Train Dreams (2025). Malgosia Turzanska's costuming is really well done, being a combination of true vintage, repro, and modern garments to evoke the rugged attire of loggers in the 1910s. With all of the picturesque im...

In this episode, MJ shares how he plans to stay stylish and practical as an EMT, and Spencer takes us through the Americana-tourist outfits he wears when taking mini-vacations to local places around OC & LA! Oh, we also talk about where we keep our phone pocket (trouser butt-pocket is crazy), dive into the two appeals of creative expression (nuance vs. broad strokes), and why we should probably co...

In this pod, the SaDBoys cover quite a bit, like Pitti Uomo 109 (Fall/Winter, mind you) and their menswear New Year's Resolutions. Of course, the big topic of discussion was how saying something is vintage isn't gatekeeping and why it's *good* to put in effort to acquire your wardrobe, whether it's vintage, custom, or modern. Don't be passive! Ethan’s Blog: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/02/02/...

This is a clip of the latest Bonus pod! For the full episode, please subscribe on Patreon. Dream big! Our bonus episode on the menswear in Marty Supreme is LIVE! In this episode, we gush over Miyako Bellizzi's excellent and accurate costuming. Even though there isn't a dandy, Apparel Arts dude in this film, *everyone* on screen is dripping with easy, vintage style. There's also the table tennis lo...

Happy New Year, everyone! In this first episode of 2026, we talk about dressing festive for Christmas: MJ and Ethan wear PJs while Spencer rocked a Bart Simpson tee to drink with Santa. We also talked about wearing black tie on NYE, where Ethan went out in the rain while MJ smartly stayed home. Also, Ethan briefly discusses the great 70s fashion in the Sterophonic, The! Most! Tony! Nominated! Play...

The last episode of 2025 is here, and it's a big one! The boys revisit the topic of "Outfit Repeating", diving into WHEN they decide to repeat, their favorite fit-templates to do, and the garments that have stayed with them over the years...as well as the suspiciously similar substitutes they buy when they outgrow the old one. Ethan goes even further, discussing how he uses old photos as a form of...

On theme for the season, this bonus episode is about the trope-filled 80s/90s menswear of Scrooged (1988). Everything is coded for audience convenience: corporate guys wear DB power suits, and a nerd has round glasses and a bow tie. But here’s the thing– it’s all good! And not only does this film make good use of menswear stereotypes, but it also features some niche moves that you don’t see today,...

The latest episode is the SaDBoys' salute to Fall/Winter attire— the BEST season for dressing. They get into their favorite cold-weather pieces, how their approach differs from Spring/Summer (and "Early Fall"), and the aesthetics or rigs that hit the Spirit of the Season (vintage Alpine looks, ivy, hunting, cowboy in the cold). Ethan also goes deeper and shares how Fall/Winter dressing is meant to...

In this pod, the SaDBoys discuss the flashy, Belle Epoque menswear in the stage adaptation of Moulin Rouge and how they dressed as an assassin to attend a John Wick Laser Tag party. There's also a big discussion on "transitional weather attire" and how we like to dress in Early Fall, before it gets TOO cold and we start to Full Send into coats, tweeds, and scarves. It's basically a section where w...

The latest bonus episode is about the cozy (and masculine) vibes in Douglas Sirk's melodrama "All That Heaven Allows"! With its New England setting, color-forward cinematography, and Rock Hudson's flannel workshirts, it's a perfect fall movie. Romance is par for the course, but the movie is surprisingly quite critical. Jane Wyman plays Cary Scott, a wealthy widow who falls for her arborist Ron Kir...

The latest pod recaps this past spooky season! We talk about the menswear Anaïs Mitchell's epic musical "Hadestown", making pirate outfits out of 30s/40s vintage clothing, our very filmbro-friendly Halloween costumes, and of course, the fabulous start-of-term party for Cosmus Academy of the Arcane Arts, where Spencer was a first year and Ethan served as headmaster and emcee. It truly was a fun Oct...

In this pod, MJ shares a life update, Ethan recaps two menswear events (Freenote Cloth & Buck Mason) and why he likes tucking his tie, and Spencer talks about photography again. Oh, and we all have a big discussion about how fisherman sandals are a bit odd with jeans, why we like congruous outfits, and how hodgepodge outfits are anti-core (and probably a trend). It's a jam-packed episode full of g...