E169: Track, Field, and Hobbits

In this pod, MJ and Ethan talk about their *separate* trips to SF (Frisco, as they call it); the former fawns over his Nike Killshots, while the latter talks about doing a Matty Matheson-esque look for a wedding. Spencer recounts finding a suit in his garage of all places that he's NEVER worn (but will certainly do once it's tailored), then Ethan goes on a soapbox about how cool Stroller Suits are, despite how *formal* they can be. Finally, the SaDBoys wrap up by talking about how they spent Halloween this year, all making costumes from pieces they already owned. Oh yeah, and Ethan was basically a furry, but what else is new? Ethan’s Blog: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/11/03/strollers-frisco-and-being-a-furry-for-halloween/ Support us on Patreon and join the Discord: https://www.patreon.com/styleanddirection/ Follow us on Instagram! www.instagram.com/styleanddirection/

This is a clip of the latest Bonus pod! For the full episode, please subscribe on Patreon. In this bonus, Spencer and Ethan talk about Mary Zophres's excellent costuming in "Hail, Caesar!" (2016). The film is an absurd send-up of Old Hollywood, offering vignettes of bygone genres (westerns, tux-and-gown dramas, biblical epics) while giving us a history lesson in the 50s studio system and a wacky Communist plot. By weaving through its plot points, "Hail, Caesar!" gives us a large swath of period menswear, in all its varied and vibrant glory, making you wonder why the hell we stopped dressing like this. Ethan’s Blog: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/10/26/the-menswear-in-hail-caesar-2016/ Support us on Patreon and join the Discord: https://www.patreon.com/styleanddirection/ Follow us on Instagram! www.instagram.com/styleanddirection/

This episode is a fun one! MJ talks travel attire (again) while Spencer gets into how he dresses his character in Red Dead Redemption 2. Then things take a western turn with Ethan's latest obsessions: western bow ties and a proper, *big* cowboy hat, both of which he has worn quite a bit lately. The SaDBoys then finish off the episode by diving into the menswear of the delightful (and seasonally appropriate) series, "Over The Garden Wall", which resurrects 1800s-1900s styles with surprising detail— and variety! Ethan’s Blog: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/10/18/two-new-western-accouterments-over-the-garden-wall/ Support us on Patreon and join the Discord: https://www.patreon.com/styleanddirection/ Follow us on Instagram! www.instagram.com/styleanddirection/

New pod is here, but MJ isn't (he's on a trip)! Spencer and Ethan talk about potential purchases (Ben Davis pants and vintage tiger stripe fatigues, respectively) before diving into athletic wear and Hobbit attire. Ethan then recounts how he brought his pal Josh to a Drake's pop-up to give him an easy, stress-free way to learn about menswear and get some inspo. Then, at the end, Ethan talks about his decision to write less...or at least less than before. Show notes: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/10/04/track-field-and-hobbits/ Support us on Patreon and join the Discord: https://www.patreon.com/styleanddirection/ Follow us on Instagram! www.instagram.com/styleanddirection/

This is a clip of the latest Bonus pod! For the full episode, please subscribe on Patreon. This bonus pod is about the late Bob Mackie's excellent period costuming for "Pennies from Heaven" (1981)! It's a musical unlike anything we've seen before, with the characters lip-syncing (rather than actually singing) pop songs from the 30s with spectacular choreography, all serving as an escapist contrast to the dour reality of the Great Depression. Mackie costumes the film well, using long point collars, collar bars, and fedoras to dress the men, none of which are particularly sympathetic. It's an interesting film that was worth the watch and discussion! Ethan’s Blog: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/09/29/the-menswear-in-pennies-from-heaven-1981/ Support us on Patreon and join the Discord: https://www.patreon.com/styleanddirection/ Follow us on Instagram! www.instagram.com/styleanddirection/

This new pod is a fun one that has no philosophical discussion! Instead, Spencer talks about the best wedding he's been to. MJ talks about packing for a work trip to Washington and how he *only* brought Nike Killshots and Tabi boots (epic). Finally, Ethan talks about wearing vintage menswear to go camping and two late-summer Occasions to wear aloha shirts. Of course, this led to a big discussion about how much they love aloha shirts. I mean, what menswear guy doesn't? Ethan’s Blog: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/09/22/aloha-shirts-in-late-summer-camping-in-menswear-and-an-epiphany-from-touching-grass/ Support us on Patreon and join the Discord: https://www.patreon.com/styleanddirection/ Follow us on Instagram! www.instagram.com/styleanddirection/

In the new pod, Spencer and Ethan give a shout-out to the most important person in their menswear journey: their tailor! Rueben and Noe have been helping us out for years, whether it's a simple hem or tear repair or a complete transformation, like narrowing a jacket's shoulders or reshaping the trouser fit by *lowering* the backrise. The SaDBoys also talk about their appreciation of Straw Boaters, how they define what an "Outfit" is, and the importance of knowing your Outfit's "Form" or "Template". Figuring this out is Personal Style, as every other expressive choice flows from it. You might even say that to know Form is to know *what* and *how* you create, whether it's an Outfit or any other creative medium! Ethan’s Blog: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/09/06/an-ode-to-my-tailor-visiting-catalina-the-importance-of-form-template-when-making-outfits/ Support us on Patreon and join the Discord: https://www.patreon.com/styleanddirection/ Follow us on Instagram! www.instagram.com/styleanddirection/

This bonus pod has got our dynamite prepped for when we meet the jaguar shark that ate our pal Esteban. That's right, we're covering "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou"! The SaDBoys discuss how much they love Team Zissou's whimsical uniform and how dynamic it is, thanks to the sheer number of branded, on-color-palette garments the team is afforded! This film is a great case study in showing how a group can present a unified aesthetic while still leaving room for personality. Ethan’s Blog: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/08/31/the-menswear-in-the-life-aquatic-with-steve-zissou-2004/ Support us on Patreon for the full bonus pod and join the Discord: https://www.patreon.com/styleanddirection/ Follow us on Instagram! www.instagram.com/styleanddirection/

New pod is out! The SaDBoys talk about recent outfits, from Spencer's rugged ivy look for Disneyland to a backyard wedding that asked guests to wear florals and vibrant colors in lieu of dark cocktail attire. This prompted a discussion centered around appreciating External Occasions, the rare times where an event specifically calls for a dress code or themed outfits. That could be a wedding— or attending the Magic Castle, Hollywood's famous invite-only club that requires a strict dress code (suits only, no separates) if you are to enjoy being entertained by the magicians contained within its walls. Of course, nothing beats a day where you get dressed for yourself, like wearing a white suit to treat yourself to a coffee. It's a fun episode that is guaranteed to get you thinking about how you dress for the Occasions in your life, whether they're internal or externally motivated! Ethan’s Blog: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/08/24/playing-with-dress-codes-green-tailoring-and-external-occasions-revisited/ Support us on Patreon and join the Discord: https://www.patreon.com/styleanddirection/ Follow us on Instagram! www.instagram.com/styleanddirection/

MJ talks about wearing shorts, Spencer's dipping into poly-cotton with new chinos, and Ethan talks about how he celebrated his 31st birthday, all by approximating a mess jacket and breaking out his dumpy Christian academy uniform for a high school-themed party. We then spend the rest of the episode discussing the phenomenon of Online Intellectualism and how it's invaded all sorts of content (including menswear), serving as both empty performance against the algorithm and a thin veil for creators' capitalistic intentions. Oh yeah, and apparently Ethan had never really picked up a book until the pandemic. Go figure! Ethan’s Blog: https://alittlebitofrest.com/2026/08/09/celebrating-31-being-an-intellectual/ Support us on Patreon and join the Discord: https://www.patreon.com/styleanddirection/ Follow us on Instagram! www.instagram.com/styleanddirection/