Men's Style & Fashion Podcast - The VOU

In today's podcast, we look at the essence of Modern Old Money Style for men, as curated from "Modern Old Money Mastery - The VOU's Style Guide to Timeless Luxury by Laurenti Arnault and Ru Amiri, revealing how GenZ reinvents the classic Old Money style. The book brilliantly deconstructs several modern case studies while revealing the fascinating historical foundations of true old money style. From the 21-gauge knit of a Ralph Lauren Purple Label cashmere sweater to the precise angle of a Savile Row lapel roll, every detail comes with a story that enriches our understanding of contemporary luxury.

Whether you're learning why a Zegna Trofeo wool suit moves differently from its competitors (a 15-year development secret) or discovering how to spot quality construction in vintage pieces, this guide transforms seemingly simple style rules into a riveting journey through fashion history. It's an indispensable resource for anyone who wants to understand and master the art of quiet luxury in the modern age - without falling into the traps that have caught out even the most well-resourced celebrities.

In an era of fast fashion and logomania, this book is a historical document and a practical guide to authentic style. As the authors note in their introduction: "True old money style isn't about what you wear – it's about understanding why you wear it. Every rule has a reason, every tradition a purpose. Once you grasp these fundamentals, the rest becomes effortless."

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 dive into The Ivy League by Daniel Cappello — a richly layered book that’s part institutional history, part cultural anthropology, and part style manual for the quietly powerful.

Considered exploration of how eight elite American universities shaped not only academia and politics but also fashion, status, and masculine identity.

We unpack how the Ivy League became more than an athletic conference — evolving into a cultural signifier synonymous with legacy, confidence, and understated authority. From Harvard’s Georgian brick to Yale’s Gothic towers and Princeton’s leafy quadrangles, Cappello’s book captures how each school cultivated not just thinkers but a visual and behavioural style that endures in everything from modern prepwear to heritage tailoring.

This conversation goes beyond campus gates. We explore how the Ivy League influenced what men wear—not just in class but also in boardrooms, creative agencies, and luxury fashion houses. Think soft-shouldered blazers, repp ties, natural fabrics, and the elusive concept of effortlessness. Ivy style is more than a dress code; it’s a mindset rooted in self-assurance, tradition, and restraint.

We also discuss the sociopolitical subtext behind the Ivy mythos: the tension between privilege and merit, the evolution from white, Protestant exclusivity to curated meritocracy, and the subtle performance of taste that still defines Ivy League-coded aesthetics. Why do these schools still set the tone for how success “should” look? And how much of that legacy is about appearance over substance?

Whether revisiting your collegiate influences or refining your uniform, this episode invites you to decode the aesthetics of institutional power — and how Ivy League style still shapes what we consider classic, refined, and elite in men’s fashion today.

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

In today's session, we discuss "Gentleman: A Timeless Fashion" by Bernhard Roetzel, a men's styling guide emphasizing a dress code rooted in English tradition, widely accepted as the most classic style worldwide. We cover a wide range of topics related to a gentleman's wardrobe, including grooming, shirts, suits, shoes, accessories, and even items like umbrellas, cigarettes, and pipes, focusing on specific sections like "The Beard," "The Shirt," "The Suit," and "The Bow Tie," providing detailed descriptions of the ideal style and quality of each garment.

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

In this podcast, we tackle one of our favourites, "Dressing the Man - Mastering the Art of Permanent Fashion" by Alan Flusser, and his super accurate guide to modern men's fashion. We'll cover how to develop your fashion style and a timeless wardrobe that perfectly suits your physique and personality. We'll also explore various facets of modern menswear, from classic suit silhouettes to the intricacies of neckwear and from the need to emphasise your body shape and proportions to seasonal colours as key factors of achieving a timeless, stylish look. Overall, Flusser has mastered the art of dressing well - in any situation, from everyday wear to formal occasions - to perfection.

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

In today's podcast we take a look at the humorous and highly stylised "Fuck Yeah Menswear - Bespoke Knowledge for the Crispy Gentleman" by Kevin Burrows and Lawrence Schlossman. The text blends a satirical staff roster with irreverent commentary on menswear styles (Sprezzatura, Heritage, Preppy, Bohemian, Sloane Ranger, Ametora, Goth Ninja, etc.), defining archetypes with exaggerated strengths and weaknesses. The core message is a tongue-in-cheek guide to navigating the world of men's fashion, emphasising self-discovery and rejecting conformity rather than offering prescriptive advice. The book uses a deliberately outrageous tone and stream-of-consciousness narrative to mock menswear trends and celebrate individuality within a subculture obsessed with "looking mad crispy."

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