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 his last Japan haul in 2019. This episode is jam-packed with fun anecdotes, recommendations, and reflections. What more could you want??

Ethan’s Blog: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/07/05/ethan-in-japan-2026/E163: Ethan In Japan

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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 is. We explore the sartorial choices in Heat and how they contribute to the film's intensity and drive. We also talk about how bad Crime101 was.

This is a clip of the latest Bonus pod! For the full episode, please subscribe on Patreon.

Support us on Patreon and join the Discord: https://www.patreon.com/styleanddirection/

Ethan’s Blog: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/06/25/the-menswear-in-heat-1995/

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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: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/06/12/pith-helmets-whimsical-activities-a-plot-talk-with-marco-why-i-dont-believe-in-outsourcing-style/

https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/06/12/i-said-yes-to-the-cape/

Support us on Patreon and join the Discord: https://www.patreon.com/styleanddirection/

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Podcast is produced by MJ

What are we doing? Making chocolate, o' course! In this bonus pod, the SaDBoys dive into the whimsical sartorial style of Wonka (2023), praising the titular character's elegant frock coat, ratty hat, and delightful scarves. We also get into the bespoke confections worn by Wonka's rivals, which are delightfully vintage-inspired and color-coordinated. There really is something about how, whenever a film needs to feel quirky yet familiar, it tends to lean into vintage tailoring. Wonka does that with aplomb, showcasing just how fun, and dare I say *whimsical*, suiting can be!

Ethan’s Blog:

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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-heavy and sometimes off-kilter styling. But ultimately, we believe the Whimsical thing you can do is PLAY in your clothes: go to trivia dressed as a cowboy, wear a tux to listen to the Phil, wear a straw hat on a picnic, or wear a suit to sit at home and relax. Whimsy is about dressing with agency!

Ethan’s Blog: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/05/31/the-importance-of-whimsy-and-playing-in-your-clothes/

Support us on Patreon and join the Discord: https://www.patreon.com/styleanddirection/

Follow us on Instagram!

www.instagram.com/styleanddirection/

Podcast is produced by MJ

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. Because the film goes between flashy TV producers, frumpy New Yorkers, and WASPy intellectuals, we're treated to some truly great and nuanced menswear.

Ethan’s Blog: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/05/26/the-menswear-in-quiz-show-1994/

This is a clip of the latest Bonus pod! For the full episode, please subscribe on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/styleanddirection/

Follow us on Instagram!

www.instagram.com/styleanddirection/

Podcast is produced by MJ

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 decided to look at the fits and see how they compare to our current taste.

This is a clip of the latest Bonus pod! For the full episode, please subscribe on Patreon.

Ethan’s Blog: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/05/17/museum-fits-from-eight-years-ago-using-menswear-to-cosplay-as-a-jedi-priest-and-an-outdoorsman/

Support us on Patreon and join the Discord: https://www.patreon.com/styleanddirection/

Follow us on Instagram!

www.instagram.com/styleanddirection/

Podcast is produced by MJ

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 has changed, huh?

11:41 - That TikTok Wolf of Wall Street Menswear Guy

15:49 - EMT Ride Along Update

24:43 - Bob Baker

38:25 - Inspiration LA/Anglo Day

54:00 - Apparel Arts

Ethan’s Blog: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/05/05/cheeky-apparel-arts-headings-puppet-attire-and-a-very-anglo-thursday-evening/

Support us on Patreon and join the Discord: https://www.patreon.com/styleanddirection/

Follow us on Instagram!

www.instagram.com/styleanddirection/

Podcast is produced by MJ

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 may even get you to take ballet and tap dancing lessons!

Support us on Patreon for the full bonus pod (and join the Discord): https://www.patreon.com/styleanddirection/

Ethan’s Blog: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/04/29/the-menswear-in-an-american-in-paris-1951/

Follow us on Instagram!

www.instagram.com/styleanddirection/

Podcast is produced by MJ

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, it's quite surprising that this is from that infamous aughts period. Overall, it's quite different from what you can read from the magazine today— and most contemporary menswear media in general!

0:00 - Dressing for the Derby at Santa Anita Racetrack

20:40 - Wedding Stuff

28:16 - Esquire's Big Black Book

1:02:20 - Nerf and Ren Faire

Ethan’s Blog: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/04/19/larp-ing-around-at-nerf-the-horse-races-the-renaissance-faire/

https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/04/19/esquires-big-black-book-f-w-2009-s-s-2011-is-suprisingly-okay/

Support us on Patreon and join the Discord: https://www.patreon.com/styleanddirection/

Follow us on Instagram!

www.instagram.com/styleanddirection/

Podcast is produced by MJ