The Ivy League by Daniel Cappello

04/03/25 • 8 min

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.

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

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

Previous Episode

Gentleman: The Elegant Man's Companion by Bernhard Roetzel

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.

Next Episode

Gentleman: The Ultimate Companion to the Elegant Man by Bernhard Roetzel

In today's podcast for men, we crack open Bernhard Roetzel's "Gentleman" – the cult classic that reveals why the truly powerful men dress differently than everyone else.

Discover why Savile Row tailors are the "Mecca" of menswear and how they can transform not just your appearance but your confidence. Learn why top businessmen visit John Lobb for $2000 shoes while your colleagues buy disposable footwear. We'll reveal Roetzel's insider wisdom on why brass belt buckles signal refinement while silver screams nouveau riche.

Beyond the obvious, we explore Roetzel's fascinating take on the gentleman's private rituals – from his controversial sections on tobacco and spirits to his almost obsessive advice on packing a suitcase without rumpling your jacket (his technique for "the knack with the jacket" might change your travel game forever).

Most intriguingly, we dissect Roetzel's philosophy that being well-dressed is actually about respect – not vanity – and why he believes most modern men have lost the understanding of how clothes communicate character.

Whether you're climbing the corporate ladder or simply tired of looking ordinary, this episode reveals why certain men always command attention when they enter a room – and how Roetzel's guide can help you become one of them.

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