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/

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Podcast is produced by MJ

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 inspiration for fits for his latest venture: becoming an EMT. Of course, the big topic is the 2026 Oscars: the best celebrity fits at the show, the costumes worn at the watch party that Spencer and Ethan attended, and their thoughts on Frankstein, who took home the win for best Costume Design.

Ethan’s Blog: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/04/06/garrahan-hats-my-new-tux-and-the-2026-oscars/

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Podcast is produced by MJ

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, and belt backs! Spielberg's mocap film does this faithfully, not just having each character in a distinct vintage outfit but also taking care to render the garments *accurately*. You can see textures of the suits, the 30s style ribbing of the sweaters, and the appropriate pleats on belt backs and trousers— it's uncanny how real everything is! Who needs Apparel Arts when you have Tintin?

Ethan’s Blog: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/03/24/the-drawn-computer-generated-menswear-of-tintin/

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

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Podcast is produced by MJ

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 outfits but also through intentional, social moves like mingling fashion friends into your friend groups, actively making Occasions for dressing up, and sharing your interests and how they connect with your clothing choices. There’s also the fact that being bold yourself could help Widen the aperture for other people and may even encourage them to dress up themselves, if they want to! So much of our confidence comes from the bold dressers who came before!

Ethan’s Blog: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/03/18/fashion-dbs-literal-sportswear-and-the-aperture-of-acceptability/

https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/03/18/the-ornate-and-cheeky-attitude-of-the-bib-shirt/

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Podcast is produced by MJ

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 Instagram!

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Podcast is produced by MJ

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 imagery and composed blocking, every shot in the film serves as inspo fodder for any menswear enthusiast, while also harkening to the bygone days of 2010 heritage-core. The movie also just feels like one long, sad/contemplative Filson editorial— and we mean that in a good way!

Ethan’s Blog: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/02/25/the-menswear-in-train-dreams-2025/

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

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Podcast is produced by MJ

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 consume more menswear content for the sake of discussion, critique, and expanding our taste. We also include a review of sorts for the recent Ralph Lauren men's runway show!

Ethan’s Blog: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/02/16/consuming-menswear-without-buying-two-approaches-to-expression/

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

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Podcast is produced by MJ

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/good-things-take-effort-details-are-more-important-than-brands-dont-be-passive/

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

Follow us on Instagram!

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Podcast is produced by MJ

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 looks, which might just be some of the coolest fits ever on screen— especially since most period films don't get to do true sportswear. 2026 movie style is starting off quite grand!

Ethan’s Blog: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/01/20/the-menswear-in-marty-supreme-2025/

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

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Podcast is produced by MJ

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! Of! All! Time!

Blog Post: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/01/12/stereophonic-christmas-festivities-a-rainy-new-years-eve/

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