Style and Direction

Spencer, MJ, and Ethan discuss the idea of standing out in classic menswear and how they grew to embrace it, since it happens naturally! We talk about our past mistakes, how we know when to be bold or lowkey, and perhaps most important of all, we celebrate the friends that showed us that it's fun to embrace standing out. Ethan's Essay: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2022/05/22/being-okay-with-standi...

Our breasts are doubled in this newest pod, which all about why we love the DB! Spencer and Ethan discuss it all, from the drama of its wide lapels and over lapping closure to how easy it is to throw on since it's the closest a sportcoat can get to evoking outerwear. Whether its with a tie or without or with a dress trouser or a casual pant, the DB is amazing. Ethan's Essay: https://alittlebitofre...

Ethan, Spencer, and MJ talk about the film Ford v Ferrari in the new bonus episode! Even though it's a car movie (and they aren't car guys), there is still a lot of menswear to enjoy, from the use of black cowboy hats and racer workwear to having the best sunglasses game in a movie. Ethan's Blog: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2022/04/24/the-menswear-in-ford-vs-ferrari/ Get the full episode on Patre...

In the newest bonus episode Spencer, Ethan, and MJ discuss what they’ve been watching which includes American Crime Story: Impeachment, The Firm, and Winning Time! This might lead to some...unconventional fit inspo. Subscribe to our Patreon for the full episode and the Discord: https://www.patreon.com/styleanddirection/ Follow us on Instagram! Style & Direction: https://www.instagram.com/styleandd...

In the newest episode, Spencer and Ethan tackle the topic of Outfit Repeating. Is repetition comforting or boring? Is creating a new combination new exciting or exhausting? What exactly counts as a repeat? We discuss it all while exploring our own outfit creation process, detailing when its fun to try new things vs. stick with what we know. Ethan's Essay: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2022/03/20/on...

Yung Chomsky returns to discuss @jawnfeld , an account where he curates ten fits from every episode of Seinfeld! We talk about his process, his favorite outfits, and how a show about nothing really encapsulates the current mood of menswear. Show Notes: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2022/03/06/whats-the-deal-with-jawnfeld/ Support us on Patreon and join the Discord: https://www.patreon.com/styleandd...

Murder was only the beginning! Spencer, Ethan, and MJ cover the latest Branaugh interpretation of Poirot’s adventures, diving deep into the 1930s vacation wear and wondering which outfits are guilty (of being bad). Subscribe to our Patreon for the full episode: https://www.patreon.com/styleanddirection/ Follow us on Instagram! Style & Direction: https://www.instagram.com/styleanddirection/ Ethan:...

This episode is about “Cinematic Dressing”, a term we coined for how we create outfits centered around a narrative theme or framework. You might even say dress for our own "world" or the "scenes" that we're called for. Fashion is supposed to be a fun celebration of what we like! In a world where context is thrown out the window, why can’t we dress ivy one day and then workwear the next if it's wha...

@JohnGreenacre returns! He hops on the pod to tell us all about his near-month abroad in Paris. His story is full of great food, hating what he packed, and some crazy vintage finds. Maybe #TheSaDCast needs to go to Paris! Show notes: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2022/02/06/a-yankee-in-paris-with-john-robinson/ Support us on Patreon and join the Discord: https://www.patreon.com/styleanddirection/ F...

Spencer and Ethan try to tackle the idea of "taste" in classic menswear. To us, taste is an extension of POV or just personal preferences. We tend to think of clothing as a creative endeavor which, along with the demise of dress codes, means that the only real guide is your subjective taste. It's good to hone in and know what you like, but at the end of the day, its still about what you like! Etha...

The first bonus of 2021 is here and Spencer, MJ, and Ethan discuss The King's Man! It's a wild romp that features historical figures and a modern interpretation of 1910s tailoring; the clothes aren't actually that bad! And the film, save for some tonality issues, was actually outrageously fun. Especially the ending. Subscribe to our Patreon for the full episode: https://www.patreon.com/styleanddir...

We're starting 2022 off with an episode on proportions and silhouette- two big topics that factor heavily with the nuance and details in tailoring! We certainly have our preferences but at the end of the day, it's all about finding the right proportions not just for your body, but for your intended aesthetic. Ethan's Essay: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2022/01/09/how-i-think-about-proportions-silh...

For our December Bonus, we review two period movies for you: Ridley Scott’s The House of Gucci and Spielberg’s take on West Side Story! There’s even a bit on a third movie, straight out of the multiverse. (Make sure you’ve seen Spider-Man: No Way Home before you listen to this episode!) Ethan's Essay: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2021/12/21/its-a-me-paolo/ Subscribe to our Patreon for the full epi...

Spencer and Ethan are joined by Producer MJ, Aldous, and Jason to discuss their ethnic identity and how they think it intersects with menswear. It's a bit of a big topic, with points on what it was like to be into menswear while partaking in Asian communities as well as why there seems to be more native Asians in the space when compared to 2nd Gen ones. We don't prescribe to have any solutions or...

Spencer, Ethan, and Producer MJ dive into Wes Anderson’s latest film: The French Dispatch. We discuss the anthology approach to the plot, how stereotypically “Wes” it is, and how the midcentury minimalist menswear styling is a bit of a mood! Subscribe to our Patreon for the full episode: https://www.patreon.com/styleanddirection/ Follow us on Instagram! Style & Direction: https://www.instagram.com...

During the 2nd half of our talk with @johngreenacre , we discussed the concept of the "going out look". It's not an outfit prescribed by a specific aesthetic like Ivy or workwear. Instead, it's about the context of where you're going and what you're doing while wearing the outfit. It's a bit slouchy, but also kinda sexy. While it may be a challenge, we think its certainly possible to "go out" in c...

The latest guest on the podcast is our pal John Robinson. He embodies everything the pod is about: vintage ideas, contemporary inspirations, and a healthy dose of slouch. We dive into where he started, how gets style inspo, and how he and Ethan seem to be on the same wavelength on EVERYTHING. Ethan's Essay: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2021/10/24/my-son-john/ Support us on Patreon and join the Dis...

Spencer, Ethan, and Producer MJ dive into Bond 25: No Time To Die. We discuss our favorite movies, the plot (if there is one), and of course our favorite outfits from Craig’s last romp as a guy who clearly hates being an MI6 agent. Spoiler Alert for all aspects of the film (obviously)! Subscribe to our Patreon for the full episode: https://www.patreon.com/styleanddirection/ Follow us on Instagram!...

Ethan has returned from the Big Apple and he's going to tell us all about it on the pod! Jump in to hear him talk about all the shoes he tried on, the amazing vintage stores, and how all of our favorite shops are doing (as well as a few thoughts on the product). Ethan's Essay: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2021/10/10/ethans-solo-nyc-2021-trip/ Support us on Patreon and join the Discord: https://www...

Our use of color in Classic Menswear is the topic of this episode! To us, it's more than just a "pop of color" as many bloggers state. We're much more about how the colors signal an aesthetic; Colors, like everything we talk about, is all about that POV. It may be internalized, but I'm certain that you have some rule or guideline that you use when incorporating color into your looks! Shout out to...

This bonus episode marks a return of film discussion with two of our favorites: There Will Be Blood and The Social Network! There’s also a bunch of menswear microtopics like the Atelier Fugue DB style, Ethan’s new pants from Lords of Wool, and yet another obnoxious character canonized into the SaD Cinematic Universe. He’s quite...masculine. Listen to the full episode on Patreon and join the Discor...

Spencer and Ethan are jawns addicts, but they've also been known to keep a fair bit of their clothes. In this episode, they discuss the concept of archiving their own closet, keeping things and either revisiting or recontextualizing them as their style evolves! It's a great exercise in "forced versatility" and an evolving POV (as well as how to save money). Ethan's Essay: https://alittlebitofrest....

Ethan and Spencer finally acknowledge their vague, loose way of talking about menswear and spend this episode diving into why that is, T attempting to define “tailoring”, “vintage”, and “#menswear”. We think that if you keep your rules and definitions vague, it allows you the freedom to wear what you like in a cohesive way fitted for your context. Listen on to [hopefully] get what we mean! Ethan's...

In this bonus ep Spencer, Ethan, and Producer MJ talk about...everything. KBBQ. New Ring Jacket purchases. If leather is breathable (seriously). It’s a fun, random one that lets you in on this trio's friendship and life in the SoCal burbs! Don't forget to listen to the outro. We canonize someone new... Support us on Patreon and join the Discord: https://www.patreon.com/styleanddirection/ Follow us...

Ethan and Spencer take a closer look at niche vintage, specifically at Golden Era pieces that don't really exist anymore. Some of them still resonate with us, like leisure jackets and belt backs. Others, like the Rah-Rah suit, are best left in the dust. You'll have to decide which of it is cool and which isn't! At the very least, these pieces show a time where everything, from utility to fun, was...