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 and two expert guests as we walk through this seminal volume's structure, philosophy, and legacy. From the architecture of a proper English suit to the quiet power of well-chosen accessories, Roetzel outlines the complete anatomy of masculine elegance. We unpack what still holds up, what’s evolved, and why the book continues to shape men’s wardrobes from Berlin to Tokyo to New York.

We’ll break down Roetzel’s approach to tailoring, shirts, shoes, grooming, etiquette, and even lifestyle — from the shape of a club collar to how you carry your umbrella. With German precision and Continental flair, Gentleman teaches the codes behind classic style and how to adapt them for a modern world without losing your sense of self.

This isn’t about trends — it’s about timelessness. About understanding proportion, context, and the quiet discipline that goes into dressing well. Whether you’re deep into bespoke tailoring or just starting to rethink your wardrobe, this episode offers a deep dive into why style matters — not for vanity, but for identity, respect, and presence.

So pour a coffee, straighten your pocket square, and join us for a discussion that will make you see your clothes—and yourself—in a sharper light. Because elegance isn’t old-fashioned but eternal.

A Men's Styling Podcast Made with LOVE by The VOU's Expert Image Consultants.

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 campuses of Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and others, Take Ivy documented what American students wore when no one was watching — and in doing so, created one of the most influential menswear books of all time. We explore how this slim hardcover, created by Teruyoshi Hayashida and a team of Japanese style obsessives, distilled the elegance of East Coast collegiate dress and sparked a prepwear movement that echoed from Tokyo to London to New York.

In this conversation, we break down what makes Ivy style more than just clothes - a posture, an attitude, a quiet confidence. From sockless loafers and Shetland crewnecks to the art of rolling your oxford collar just right, we decode the visual language that Take Ivy captured so effortlessly. Our guests unpack the social codes, the contradictions, and the understated rebellion in what appears, at first glance, to be just “clean-cut” student fashion.

We also reflect on Take Ivy’s global impact: how it ignited Japan’s fascination with American prep, laid the groundwork for brands like VAN Jacket, influenced Ralph Lauren and Thom Browne, and continues to shape today’s heritage and "old money" style revivals. And we ask: what was really being photographed — a fashion moment or a social class? What does it mean to preserve that world in print?

Whether you’re a lifelong trad, a modern minimalist, or just discovering the roots of casual menswear, this episode invites you to re-examine how timeless style is made. Because in the end, Take Ivy isn’t just a lookbook — it’s a window into how men used clothing to fit in, stand out, and quietly assert who they were.

A Men's Styling Podcast Made with LOVE by The VOU's Expert Image Consultants.

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 rebellion to refinement.

We explore how Sharp Suits repositions tailoring not just as tradition but as transformation — a dynamic force woven into politics, pop culture, and personal identity. From Savile Row craftsmanship and Italian sprezzatura to the cinematic swagger of Cary Grant and the glam-rock tailoring of David Bowie, we dive into the book’s most compelling themes and chapters. Expect spirited conversation on double-breasted drama, the magic of mohair, and why the striped suit is still the uniform of ambition.

Our guests unpack the suit’s surprising adaptability: how it became the uniform of conformity and counterculture, used by gangsters and gentlemen, bankers and rebels alike. We trace how tailoring crossed continents, adapting from the stately frock coats of English royalty to the expressive silhouettes of American jazz musicians and Hollywood antiheroes.

This episode isn’t just for the menswear obsessive. It’s for anyone curious about why a two-button jacket still holds power in the 21st century — and how something as seemingly simple as a suit tells a story of class, confidence, rebellion, and restraint. We’ll dig into behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the book, reflect on how tailoring shapes perception, and consider what the future holds for the world’s sharpest garment.

Whether you wear bespoke or off-the-rack, this is a masterclass in men’s style through one iconic piece: the suit. Tune in for a conversation as tailored as the subject matter, and walk away seeing your wardrobe through a sharper lens.

A Men's Styling Podcast Made with LOVE by The VOU's Expert Image Consultants.

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 surprising pairings from the book – like how a 19th-century dandy ends up next to a modern TikTok influencer on the page – and what these juxtapositions say about the evolution of masculinity and fashion. We’ll talk about the global journey of menswear, touching on Japanese Ivy League style in the ’60s, hip-hop’s takeover of high fashion, and the unsung heroes behind classic items in every guy’s closet. We share behind-the-scenes insights on selecting the book’s 500 entries, including why figures like designer Rei Kawakubo, musician James Brown, and even the inventor of the fedora earned a spot.

This episode vividly portrays men’s fashion as not just about clothes but about culture: how photography and magazines forged the image of the suit, how social movements opened new style freedoms, and how today’s designers draw on the past to reinvent the future. Whether you’re a style aficionado or just curious about that blazer in your wardrobe, you’ll gain a richer understanding of menswear’s heritage and the colorful cast of characters who defined it.

Join us for a sartorial journey through time and discover how a well-tailored jacket, a sneaker, or even a jewel can tell the story of a century. By the episode’s end, you’ll see your clothes in a new light and maybe be inspired to dress more boldly. 

A Men's Styling Podcast Made with LOVE by The VOU's Expert Image Consultants.

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 sweatshirt. Each item is analysed not only in terms of function and design but also as a product of the cultural forces that shaped it.

We’ll discuss how each garment transitioned from practical use to style icon and why figures like James Dean, Steve McQueen, David Bowie, and Sean Connery weren’t just wearers of fashion but key vehicles in its canonisation. You’ll hear why the U.S. Navy’s G-1 flight jacket became a symbol of masculine bravado, how Ivy League students transformed surplus military chinos into preppy staples, and why a German work boot (Dr. Martens) became the footwear of British punks, skinheads, and grunge kids alike.

This episode also unpacks the visual structure of Sims’s book - how the use of original advertising, celebrity photographs, and film stills turns each garment’s history into a layered narrative of image and influence. We’ll examine the shift from tailored formality to casual freedom, charting the evolution of silhouettes, materials, and social codes from World War I through the late 20th century.

And finally, we’ll reflect on what makes a garment truly “iconic”: Is it the function, the design, the subculture that claims it—or the cultural moment that elevates it?

As Josh Sims puts it: “This book is not about fashion. It’s about the mysterious, fate-like process that culminates in ‘cool’—how utility becomes ubiquity, how workwear becomes weekend uniform, how invention becomes inheritance.” 

Whether you’re building a classic wardrobe or want to decode the DNA of men’s style, this episode offers a guided tour through the timeless garments that changed the way men dress, forever.

A Men's Styling Podcast Made with LOVE by The VOU's Expert Image Consultants.

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 that shaped what men wore, why they wore it, and what it meant.

We’ll trace how the austere tailoring of Edwardian Britain evolved into the Ivy League nonchalance of the 1950s, how military uniforms became mainstream, and how flamboyant rebellion—from Teddy Boys to punks—radically expanded the boundaries of masculine dress. Along the way, you’ll discover how icons like the Duke of Windsor, David Bowie, and Giorgio Armani influenced silhouettes across generations and why functional garments like trench coats, leather jackets, and work boots outlived the contexts that created them.

We discuss the birth of subcultural style as a political tool—how zoot suits provoked riots, how Mods turned tailoring into a youthful revolution, and how hip-hop and streetwear transformed global fashion from the pavement up. We’ll unpack key transitions: from Savile Row to sportswear, from rebellion to luxury branding, from uniformity to expression, culminating in the high-low, postmodern mix of early 2000s style.

As Blackman’s book reveals, menswear is not simply about clothing—it’s about storytelling through fabric, silhouette, and subtext. By understanding a century of dress, we decode how culture has worn its identity. Whether you’re a fashion historian, designer, or style enthusiast, this episode offers a masterclass in the evolution of masculine style—and how to read the deeper signals behind every look.

A Men's Styling Podcast Made with LOVE by The VOU's Expert Image Consultants.

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 wardrobe contains fewer than 30 garments, each of exceptional quality—with suits often requiring 80+ hours of handwork and shoes resoled rather than replaced for decades.

We'll discuss how this book deconstructs the unwritten rules of Italian old money style: why Neapolitan tailors use exactly 11mm stitches on lapels to achieve the perfect roll; why Italian aristocrats judge a man's background by observing how he pairs his belt with his shoes; and how the positioning of a pocket square at precisely 45 degrees serves as an immediate signal among the elite about whether someone truly belongs or is merely imitating.

You'll hear why proper Alta Borghesia style requires selecting the right fabric weight for each season (280g wool for spring, never heavier) and why wearing a seven-fold tie from E. Marinella demonstrates deeper cultural knowledge than displaying designer logos. The book transforms seemingly simple clothing choices into a sophisticated communication system—essential knowledge for anyone navigating Italian business and social circles, where 87% of old-money families can identify outsiders through subtle style mistakes.

As the authors note in their book: "Alta Borghesia style is the antithesis of ostentatious displays of wealth. It emphasizes quality, heritage, and subtle details only those 'in the know' would recognize, aiming to project quiet confidence and inherited taste rather than nouveau riche flashiness. The Alta Borghesia man dresses not to impress but because anything less would be a disservice to his heritage, image, and social position."

A Men's Styling Podcast Made with LOVE by The VOU's Expert Image Consultants.

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+ times over decades.

We'll discuss how this book deconstructs Old Money dress codes: why Gianni Agnelli, worth $2 billion, deliberately wore his watch over his shirt cuff to signal he was too busy for formalities; why the 3-roll-2 jacket configuration became the hallmark of American Ivy style; and how British aristocrats identify outsiders by their inability to correctly angle pocket squares at precisely 45 degrees.

You'll hear why proper Oxford shirts feature exactly 6 stitches per inch on collar rolls (originating with polo players) and why breaking the "no brown in town" rule instantly reveals one's background. The book transforms ordinary garments into a sophisticated communication system—essential knowledge for those navigating elite circles, where 93% of old-money families can identify social newcomers by subtle clothing choices alone.

As the authors note in their book: "Old Money style isn't merely clothing but a complex language of belonging. Each element communicates something meaningful about heritage and position. Understanding these subtleties transforms classic attire from imitation to genuine expression, allowing one to honour tradition while moving confidently through elite social circles."

A Men's Styling Podcast Made with LOVE by The VOU's Expert Image Consultants.

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 the intricate system of Highland dress while uncovering the fascinating historical innovations that transformed battlefield garments into prestigious symbols of clan and status. From the precise weight and drape of an 8-yard kilt to the correct positioning of a sgian-dubh in the right sock, every element carries a story that illuminates our understanding of Scottish cultural heritage and nobility.

Whether you're learning why a proper sporran cantle should be crafted from hallmarked silver with clan-specific engraving (a tradition dating back to 17th-century aristocratic hunting parties) or discovering the significant difference between hunting and dress tartans (a distinction that can prevent social embarrassment at formal Highland events), this guide transforms seemingly theatrical Highland garments into a sophisticated system of social signalling and historical continuity. 

It's an essential resource for anyone who wants to understand and navigate the complex world of Highland dress - without falling into common mistakes that immediately mark one as an outsider to Scottish nobility.

In an era when cultural appreciation can easily slip into cultural appropriation, this book is both historical documentation and a practical guide to respectful engagement with Scottish heritage. As the authors note in their introduction: "Highland dress isn't merely clothing but a complex language of belonging. Each tartan, each accessory, and each precise fold of fabric communicates something meaningful about one's family, heritage, and social position. Understanding these subtleties transforms Highland attire from costume to genuine cultural expression, allowing one to honour tradition while moving confidently through the most elite Scottish social circles."

A Men's Styling Podcast Made with LOVE by The VOU's Expert Image Consultants.

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 of Cape Cod fashion from practical seafaring attire to status symbols of the summer elite while uncovering the fascinating historical innovations that created this iconic American aesthetic. 

From the deliberate fading process of authentic Nantucket Reds to the precise weave density of a yacht club-approved repp tie, every element carries a story that illuminates our understanding of nautical elegance.

Whether you're discovering why a hand-sewn boat shoe conforms differently to the foot than its mass-produced imitators (a construction method unchanged since 1935) or learning the subtle regional variations between Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket dress codes, this guide transforms seemingly casual coastal style into a fascinating journey through America's relationship with its shorelines. 

It's an essential companion for anyone who wants to master the art of understated nautical sophistication - without falling into the common traps of coastal clichés that betray newcomers to New England's most exclusive enclaves.

In an era when "preppy style" is often reduced to simplistic interpretations, this book serves as historical documentation and a practical guide to authentic coastal aristocracy. As the authors observe in their introduction: "Cape Cod style isn't merely about navy blazers and boat shoes – it's about understanding the purpose behind each garment, the history behind each tradition. True nautical elegance comes from appreciating why a brass button was designed to withstand salt spray or how a specific knot originated from practical sailing necessity. When these connections become clear, you'll master this aesthetic with the confidence of someone born to the tradition."

A Men's Styling Podcast Made with LOVE by The VOU's Expert Image Consultants.