Pair of Kings: A Fashion and Culture Podcast

Why does fashion need posers? What is Ball Hog style? Should men wear loafers without socks? And why should every pair of suit trousers be high-waisted? Sol and Michael return to the Pair of Kings Podcast for a thesis-driven conversation about the people, money, taste and contradictions that keep modern fashion culture alive. The central argument: fashion scenes need “posers." In their definition, these are especially wealthy consumers willing to buy at retail, spend heavily in boutiques and clubs, and subsidize the spaces that more obsessive fashion fans enjoy through research, resale and secondhand shopping. The Pair of Kings Podcast explains how luxury shoppers and fashion “whales” keep independent stores, designer flagships, nightlife and cultural ecosystems operating; why trickle-down economics may only work in fashion; and how full-price purchases eventually become the Rick Owens, Balenciaga, Comme des Garçons and archive-fashion deals that appear on Grailed, eBay, Yahoo Japan and friends-and-family sales. The episode also becomes a practical and highly opinionated men’s fashion guide. Sol and Michael debate high-waisted suit trousers versus low-rise dress pants, whether men should tuck shirts into shorts, the few acceptable categories of men’s shorts, office uniforms, golf style, Peter Millar polos, Lacoste, RLX, Robert Graham shirts and the strange power of Southern frat menswear. They answer some of menswear’s most searched questions: Can men wear loafers without socks? Are no-show socks ever acceptable with dress shoes? What shoes work with a bright blue suit? Should blue suits be worn with brown shoes? How should tailored trousers fit? And why do high-rise pants usually create a stronger formalwear silhouette? Michael also explains Ball Hog style and Bradygoo, the emerging archive-fashion joke that combines loud, recognizable pieces associated with brands such as Number (N)ine, Dior Homme, Undercover, Maison Margiela and Saint Laurent. The cohosts trace how ironic internet aesthetics become real fashion movements, comparing Ball Hog to blokecore, gorpcore, dadcore and dark academia—and asking what happens when a niche meme becomes a sincere personal style. Elsewhere, the conversation moves through Rick Owens pod shorts, one-size tanks, Visconti pants and banana pants; Self Edge, Good Art and the customers who keep boutiques alive; Miu Miu activations, Awake New York and the difference between brands and stores with genuine taste; Cillian Murphy’s Thomas Bird boots; Keira Knightley’s repeated slouchy boots; Brad Pitt’s Dior jeans; Jude Law, Seal and celebrity style uniforms; vintage band tees; and Michael’s two fashion grails: a Rick Owens embroidered bomber and an original 1999 Slipknot self-titled T-shirt. In the spirit of the season’s “integrated fashion” thesis, clothes are never isolated from the rest of life. Golf clothes become class signals, nightlife becomes fashion economics, celebrity press tours become lessons in personal uniform, vintage T-shirts become collecting culture, and movies, books and music become part of how people build taste. Sol and Michael also discuss why The Passion of the Christ plays like a 2000s torture-horror movie, Rick Owens sizing, The Holiday and the female gaze, actors who married their co-stars, Isaac Asimov’s Foundation, summer’s fashion-retail slowdown, leather-jacket weather, chivalry and the songs of the week. Questions answered in this episode include: - Why are posers necessary in fashion? - Who actually keeps luxury fashion stores alive? - What is Ball Hog fashion? - Is archive fashion becoming a costume? - Should men wear high-waisted trousers? - Can men wear loafers without socks? - Why are visible no-show socks so bad? - What color shoes go with a blue suit? - Why do rich people often dress badly? - How do designer clothes reach the resale market? - Is collecting vintage clothing pointless if you never wear it? - And what makes a fashion grail worth buying? We hope you enjoy it as much as we did recording! Lots of love, Sol #fashion #fashionpodcast #mensfashion #archivefashion #rickowens Episode topics and tags: Pair of Kings Podcast, men’s fashion podcast, menswear podcast, fashion podcast 2026, integrated fashion, fashion posers, luxury fashion economics, fashion whales, archive fashion, Ball Hog style, streetwear culture, men’s formalwear, high-waisted trousers, high-rise suit pants, loafers without socks, no-show socks, blue suit brown shoes, office style, golf fashion, Peter Millar, Robert Graham, Rick Owens, Rick Owens Visconti pants, Balenciaga, Comme des Garçons, Dior Homme, Number (N)ine, Undercover, Maison Margiela, Saint Laurent, Miu Miu, Awake New York, Self Edge, Good Art, Grailed, Yahoo Japan, vintage T-shirts, Slipknot vintage tee, Cillian Murphy style, Thomas Bird boots, celebrity style, fashion grails, resale fashion, secondhand designer clothing Sol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don’t forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we’ve dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”. Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.com Subscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a month Links: Instagram TikTok Twitter/X Sol's Substack (One Size Fits All) Sol’s Instagram Michael’s Instagram Michael’s TikTok

What are the best FIFA World Cup 2026 kits, and why do so many modern football shirts look worse than their vintage predecessors? What is the difference between a bootleg and a knockoff? When does a garment become vintage, true vintage, or archive fashion? Why does fashion feel like it is in a down cycle—and why are Leviticus, Obsession, Backrooms, and Longlegs part of the same cultural conversation? Sol and Michael return for an episode about sports fandom, fanaticism, horror movies, and “integrated fashion”: the idea that clothing increasingly absorbs the hobbies, communities, media, politics, and rituals people build their lives around. Starting with food influencers, perfume storytelling, and a fit check featuring Keep Earth jeans, vintage U.S. Open golf tees, a 1999 Slipknot shirt, Iron Heart denim chaps, raw denim, Grailed, and Self Edge, they examine how collector knowledge, age, scarcity, and internet language reshape what counts as vintage menswear or archive fashion. The pair then break down bootleg versus knockoff culture through New York Knicks victory shirts, anime football jerseys from Mexico, Goku and Neon Genesis Evangelion kits, Grateful Dead lot tees, rare Daft Punk bootlegs, vintage movie T-shirts, Liquid Blue blanks, and Lithuania’s legendary 1992 Olympic basketball uniforms. They ask why fan-made merchandise can carry more cultural meaning than officially licensed sportswear, how Fanatics and heat-pressed jerseys changed sports merch, and why vintage football shirts now function as streetwear, collectibles, and fashion history. Then comes a full World Cup kit review. Sol and Michael debate the best 2026 FIFA World Cup jerseys, praise DR Congo and Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), criticize the USMNT flag-based kit, and revisit iconic soccer shirts including the USA 1994 denim kit, Japan’s 1998 flame goalkeeper jersey, Mexico 1998, England 1990, Chile 1998, Croatia 1998, Germany 1994, Jamaica 1998, and Nigeria 2018. They also discuss collars, national identity, heritage design, team arrival fits, tournament dress codes, Wimbledon whites, and Andre Agassi’s acid-wash Nike tennis style. From there, the conversation moves into Paris Men’s Fashion Week and fashion’s current down cycle: Balenciaga after Demna, Pierpaolo Piccioli, Pharrell Williams at Louis Vuitton, Rick Owens x adidas SS27 inflatable air-conditioned sportswear, latex and fetish aesthetics, Meta smart glasses, privacy, AI surveillance, and influencer culture. The hosts examine 424 casting Clavicular, Woah Vicky, online lolcow culture, fashion-media ragebait, and the widening gap between viral runway moments and serious editorial fashion writing and research. They also connect World Cup politics to Iran and the United States, debate fashion’s political silence, and review Zohran Mamdani’s soccer style. Finally, Sol reviews the new era of horror movies, including Leviticus, Obsession, Backrooms, Longlegs, Cuckoo, Talk to Me, It Follows, Hereditary, Midsommar, The Lighthouse, Paranormal Activity, Insidious, Cloverfield, and The Blair Witch Project. Why are low-budget, internet-native, character-driven horror films connecting now? Is Longlegs a great supernatural crime procedural with a weak ending? Is Leviticus one of the best horror movies of 2026? And why does horror merchandise feel like the next archive-fashion obsession? We hope you enjoy just as much as we did recording. Lots of love, Sol TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 — Best World Cup Kits, Bootlegs and Horror Movies 1:11 — Pair of Kings Podcast Intro 1:32 — Food Influencers, PerfumeTok and Lifestyle Marketing 5:11 — What Counts as Vintage, True Vintage or Archive Fashion? 8:57 — Fit Check: Keep Earth Jeans, U.S. Open Tees and Fanatics 15:03 — Vintage Slipknot, Iron Heart Chaps and Raw Denim 23:09 — Knicks Fanaticism and Fair-Weather Fandom 27:13 — Knicks Bootleg Shirts and Fan-Made Sports Merch 29:35 — Bootleg vs Knockoff Fashion Explained 30:25 — Mexico’s Anime Football Jersey Bootlegs 31:48 — Grateful Dead Lot Shirts and Bootleg T-Shirt History 33:12 — Lithuania 1992 Olympic Basketball Merch 35:16 — Vintage T-Shirts in Thailand and Rare Merch Blanks 37:14 — Daft Punk Bootleg Tees 37:57 — World Cup 2026 Kit Review Begins 41:43 — DR Congo and Côte d’Ivoire: Best Kits of 2026 43:29 — Best Vintage World Cup Jerseys Ever 49:00 — National Identity and the Perfect USA Soccer Kit 51:42 — Wimbledon Dress Codes and Andre Agassi Style 54:11 — Balenciaga, Demna and Oversized Fashion 56:37 — Why Fashion Feels Boring in 2026 58:50 — Rick Owens x adidas SS27 and Inflatable Fashion 1:00:51 — Meta Smart Glasses, Privacy and AI Surveillance 1:04:14 — Vinted Conspiracies and Internet Panic 1:08:45 — How Horror Movies Changed After Found Footage 1:10:43 — Leviticus, Obsession, It Follows and A24 Horror 1:12:36 — Cuckoo and Longlegs Review 1:13:27 — Longlegs: Great Setup, Weak Ending 1:16:52 — Leviticus and Backrooms Review 1:17:11 — Toy Story 5, iPads and Screen Culture 1:19:44 — World Cup Politics, Iran and the United States 1:21:52 — Why Fashion Brands Avoid Political Commentary 1:24:13 — Zohran Mamdani’s World Cup Style 1:26:03 — 424, Clavicular and Ragebait Runway Casting 1:27:09 — Lolcow Culture, Woah Vicky and Fashion Media 1:31:23 — Fashion Algorithms vs Editorial Research 1:32:44 — Song of the Week: Meat Loaf and Sisqó 1:36:57 — Shaolin Soccer and Chrome Hearts --- Episode Tags: Pair of Kings podcast, fashion podcast, integrated fashion, World Cup 2026 kits, best World Cup jerseys, vintage football shirts, vintage soccer jerseys, football shirt fashion, blokecore, bootleg vs knockoff, bootleg T-shirts, archive fashion, vintage menswear, vintage tees, sports merchandise, Fanatics jerseys, Grateful Dead lot shirts, Lithuania 1992 basketball, Japan 1998 jersey, USA 1994 denim kit, Mexico 1998 kit, Nigeria 2018 kit, DR Congo kit, Côte d’Ivoire kit, Rick Owens adidas, Paris Fashion Week menswear, Balenciaga, Demna, Pierpaolo Piccioli, Pharrell Louis Vuitton, Meta smart glasses privacy, 424 Clavicular, fashion media, Leviticus review, Obsession movie, Backrooms movie, Longlegs review, best horror movies 2026 Sol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don’t forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we’ve dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”. Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.com Subscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a month Links: Instagram TikTok Twitter/X Sol's Substack (One Size Fits All) Sol’s Instagram Michael’s Instagram Michael’s TikTok

Is fashion art? Why is archive fashion everywhere in 2026? Have designers created anything genuinely new since 1970—and what do postwar Paris, May 1968, 1970s punk, quiet luxury, vintage clothing, fashion TikTok, and the decline of print magazines tell us about how people dress now? On this episode of Pair of Kings, Sol and Michael sit down with Dr. Alexis Romano, fashion historian, writer, curator and professor at Parsons School of Design, for a conversation about fashion history, modern fashion trends, and the forces that turn clothing into culture. Alexis studies twentieth-century fashion, photography, women’s history, clothing archives, and everyday dress. Her book, Prêt-à-Porter, Paris and Women: A Cultural Study of French Readymade Fashion, 1945–68, traces the rise of French ready-to-wear after World War II through garments, Vogue and Elle, film, photography, oral history, and the lives of women who bought and wore the clothes. The conversation begins with a fit check spanning Rick Owens, Crocs, selvedge denim, and a vintage Mollie Parnis Ultrasuede set before asking whose clothing gets preserved as fashion history. Museums often prioritize haute couture, luxury fashion, and famous designers, while everyday sportswear, workwear, ready-to-wear, and heavily worn garments disappear. Alexis explains why ordinary clothing and oral history create a richer record. Sol, Michael, and Alexis trace French prêt-à-porter and its tension with haute couture. They discuss how postwar modernization, technology, urban life, New Wave cinema, fashion magazines, photography, and changing ideas about women shaped the modern fashion industry. They examine how ready-made clothing became fashionable rather than merely practical, why casual dress grew alongside social liberalization, and how fast fashion represents the latest stage of a much longer ready-to-wear system. That history leads directly into the fashion landscape of 2026. Why do many well-dressed people now choose either expensive designer clothing or vintage and secondhand clothes? Why are the 1990s and Y2K still being recycled? Has archive culture made younger consumers more historically literate—or convinced them that old clothes are automatically better than new design? The episode connects the 1970s “beige decade” to The Row-era minimalism, natural-looking materials, texture, tactility, pared-back luxury, and the quiet-luxury conversation. Alexis breaks down the decade’s competing trends: American sportswear, punk fashion, disco style, polyester, plastic, lamé, bold color, natural fabrics, wide-leg trousers, and Ultrasuede. Contradictory aesthetics existed at once—much like today’s mix of minimalism, maximalism, streetwear, high fashion, and microtrends. A major section asks the central question: is fashion art? The group discusses The Met Costume Institute’s 2026 Costume Art exhibition, the Museum at FIT, the Whitney Museum, MoMu Antwerp, and the growth of museum fashion exhibitions. Rick Owens becomes a case study in how a garment can be a consumer product, collectible design, personal uniform, museum object, and artwork at the same time. They also discuss Yohji Yamamoto exhibitions, the boundary between a fashion store and an art gallery, museum merchandise, and why fashion may be “the art of the people”—an art form audiences can wear, touch, collect, alter, and recognize in their own closets. This episode is part of Pair of Kings’ exploration of “integrated fashion”: the idea that brands increasingly operate across clothing, art, media, music, fragrance, retail, technology, museums, and lifestyle, while consumers build wardrobes around their hobbies, identities, communities, and references. Fashion is not only what appears on a runway. It is also what gets worn, photographed, posted, remembered, collected, studied, resold, copied, preserved, and eventually called history. Whether you follow high fashion, menswear, streetwear, archive fashion, vintage clothing, fashion TikTok, fashion magazines, modeling, editorial photography, independent designers, museum exhibitions, or fashion theory, this conversation offers a practical history of how taste is made—and asks what parts of modern fashion culture will still exist for historians fifty years from now. Alexis is collecting fashion oral histories and personal fashion autobiographies for her research. Find her at @dressondisplay and AlexisRomanoProjects.com. We hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording. Lots of love, Sol Sol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don’t forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we’ve dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”. Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.com Subscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a month Links: Instagram TikTok Twitter/X Sol's Substack (One Size Fits All) Sol’s Instagram Michael’s Instagram Michael’s TikTok

What do shoppers actually want in 2026? Do brand vibe, culture, and ethos matter more than the clothes? Is experience-based fashion just better marketing? And what does “integrated fashion” look like when your wardrobe is built around music, sports, clubs, video games, vintage, coffee shops, and the internet? On this episode of Pair of Kings, Sol Thompson and Michael Smith break down the largest survey they’ve run on fashion preferences, shopping habits, and taste: 1,500+ responses on how people look for, select and justify clothing today. The duo use the season’s thesis of “integrated fashion” to interrogate why brand culture matters, how shoppers decide between buying piece-by-piece vs building a full aesthetic, why brand storytelling still works, and what makes a fashion brand captivating enough to hold an audience. We get into Rick Owens, Kozaburo, Rolling Dub Trio, Lost Control cowboy boots, Undercover, Comme des Garçons, Celine, Hedi Slimane, CC41 wartime tailoring, vintage band tees, Bruce Springsteen shirts, KMFDM, Electronic Research Department / ERD, Daft Punk, and controversy-driven fashion marketing. Sol and Michael also discuss Everlane’s sale to Shein, sustainability fatigue, ethical fashion, cost per wear, quality vs longevity, resale liquidity, wardrobe economics, consumer inequality, and why the modern fashion industry is selling lifestyles as much as clothing. Further, they ask what sparks the desire to buy: Honey Dijon at Coachella, Saturday Night Fever, The Batman motorcycle jackets, FKA twigs, Interplanetary Criminal, video games, old magazines, X-Files tees, Julian Carter, and archive fashion grails. Other topics include: NYC summer style, Havaianas and flip-flop discourse, Birkenstocks without socks, finance guys in Lululemon khakis and On Running shoes, Kangol hats, men’s matching sets, white jeans, World Cup style, vintage soccer jerseys, Newcastle kits, Nike Total 90s, Puma Speedcats, Big Red Boots, brand pop-ups, shock drops, fashion coffee shops, Instagram style discovery, raves, punk shows, clubs, flea markets, Harajuku, Santee Alley, gay clubs, furries, online fashion communities, The Devil Wears Prada 2, whether good marketing can compensate for bad clothes. We hope you enjoy just as much as we did recording. Lots of love! Sol --- Episode Tags: fashion podcast 2026, integrated fashion, fashion survey, menswear, streetwear, high fashion, archive fashion, shopping habits, brand culture, experience-based fashion, Rick Owens, Kozaburo, Everlane Shein, sustainable fashion, vintage fashion, World Cup jerseys, Nike Total 90, Puma Speedcat, Celine #fashion #fashionpodcast #rickowens #archivefashion TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 — Intro: 1,300+ Person Integrated Fashion Survey 1:09 — Sol & Michael Introduce the Episode 1:53 — New York Summer Fashion and the Style Reset 2:23 — Fit Check: Birkenstocks, Kapital Denim & Vintage Bruce Springsteen Tee 6:37 — KMFDM Shirt, Vintage T-Shirt Care & Washing Old Tees 7:14 — ERD Daft Punk Shirt, Vintage Resale & Controversial Fashion Marketing 11:42 — NYC Summer Style: Flip-Flops, Havaianas & Birkenstocks 16:27 — Finance Guy Fits: On Running, Lululemon Khakis & No-Show Socks 18:07 — Kangol Hats, Lower East Side Trends & One-Weekend Menswear Fads 20:22 — Matching Sets and Summer 2026 Menswear Predictions 21:16 — White Jeans, Vintage Soccer Jerseys & World Cup Style 25:05 — Everlane, Shein and the Future of Ethical Fashion 26:29 — Sustainability Fatigue and Rick Owens Sustainable Cotton 27:23 — Consumer Economics: Who Fashion Brands Actually Sell To 29:15 — AI Data Centers, Consumption and Environmental Cost 31:10 — Fashion Survey Begins: How Young Shoppers Buy Clothes 32:07 — Do Brand Vibe, Culture and Ethos Matter? 32:44 — Rick Owens, Kozaburo and Buying Into Brand Worlds 35:17 — Wardrobe Building: Piece-by-Piece vs Full Aesthetic 36:06 — Rick Owens Harness Boots and Buying in a Vacuum 40:03 — UJ Militaria, CC41 Wartime Blazer & Archive Menswear 43:00 — Brand Storytelling: Undercover, Sustainability and Fashion Narrative 45:24 — What People Consider Before Buying Clothes 46:14 — Cost Per Wear Debate 50:15 — Sustainability, Ethics, Price, Fit, Resale Liquidity & Durability 52:16 — What Makes People Want to Buy Clothing? 52:41 — Honey Dijon, Coachella, Saturday Night Fever & Cultural Inspiration 56:09 — CDG, Archive Fashion and Mental Catalogs of Grails 56:42 — FKA Twigs, Interplanetary Criminal, Video Games & Fashion Inspiration 57:39 — Do Fashion Influencers Actually Influence Fashion People? 59:38 — The Batman, Motorcycle Jackets & Style Obsession 1:01:13 — Hedi Slimane’s Celine “The Dancing Kid” Beanie 1:03:15 — Experience-Based Fashion: Drops, Pop-Ups, Coffee Shops & Activations 1:06:02 — Influencer Gifting, Clothing Waste & FOMO Marketing 1:08:41 — Big Red Boots, Puma Speedcats & Hype Products That Disappear 1:10:01 — Nike Total 90, Slim Soccer Sneakers & Footwear Trends 1:10:20 — Where People Experience Fashion: Raves, Flea Markets, Clubs & Coffee Shops 1:13:37 — Instagram as a Fashion Scene and Style Discovery Tool 1:17:44 — Clubs, Raves and the Anti-Commercial Fashion Scene 1:19:04 — Song of the Week 1:21:58 — The Devil Wears Prada 2, Fashion Movies & Reboot Culture 1:26:37 — Speed Racer, Style Nostalgia & Closing Thoughts 1:26:59 — Outro #FashionPodcast, #Menswear, #Streetwear, #Fashion, #Style, #FashionCulture, #FashionCommunity, #FashionDiscussion, #FashionAnalysis, #FashionCommentary, #MensFashion, #MensStyle, #ArchiveFashion, #FashionArchive, #VintageFashion, #FashionHistory, #DesignerFashion, #LuxuryFashion, #FashionResearch, #FashionWriting, #IntegratedFashion, #FashionTheory, #FashionConsumer, #FashionShopping, #FashionTrends, #FashionIndustry, #FashionMarketing, #BrandCulture, #FashionConsumerBehavior, #FutureOfFashion, #RickOwens, #CommeDesGarcons, #Undercover, #HediSlimane Sol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don’t forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we’ve dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”. Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.com Subscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a month Links: Instagram TikTok Twitter/X Sol's Substack (One Size Fits All) Sol’s Instagram Michael’s Instagram Michael’s TikTok

Was Dave Macklovitch right about the Hedi Boy revival? Is Hedi Slimane’s skinny-jeans-and-leather-jacket universe bigger than fashion? And what happens to musicians when AI can make the record but not the room? Sol and Michael sit down with the podcast's favorite well-dressed unc, Dave Macklovitch of Chromeo, for his second episode and a proper apology tour after the 2025 Hedi Slimane craze proved him right. The trio explore the Hedi Boy phenomenon, Celine skinny jeans, Dior Homme codes, Saint Laurent leather jackets, indie sleaze, Grailed resellers, archive fashion, and why the looks that last are never just clothes—they come with music, photography, nightlife, diet, attitude, community, and a whole lifestyle system. Further, Dave connects that idea to Chromeo, explaining how the band built an 80s funk world through contrast rather than costume, why charisma still matters in the age of Suno AI and AI-generated music, and how the “human avatar” may become even more important as the back end gets automated. They also discuss Kid Cudi’s “Day ’N’ Nite,” Fool’s Gold Records, the birth of modern emo rap, Lil Peep, Yung Lean, Clams Casino, Lil Uzi Vert, Geese, DJ Sneak, Daft Punk, Radiohead, Kanye West, A$AP Rocky, and the strange grace we give artists after their best albums. On the fashion side, they talk Aimé Leon Dore as integrated fashion, Supreme and Dior Homme coffee machines, Rick Owens lifers, Tom Ford’s symbolic universe, Haider Ackermann, Berluti cowboy boots, Soshiotsuki, Anthony Vaccarello, Demna at Gucci, Kozaburo, how to interact with Thom Browne on a budget, Balmain by Christophe Decarnin, moto denim, Saint Laurent patina, eBay archive finds, vintage Abercrombie, CDLP, DEVOA, Issey Miyake, and why brands that sell a world—not just a garment—keep winning. We hope you enjoy this one as much as we did. Questions answered in this episode: - Why is Hedi Slimane influential? - What is a Hedi Boy? - Are skinny jeans coming back? - Why are Celine skinny jeans popular again? - What is integrated fashion? - Why do fashion brands sell lifestyle now? - What makes a brand universe successful? - How do music and fashion influence each other? - Why do Supreme, CELINE, Dior Homme, Saint Laurent, Rick Owens, and Tom Ford create such strong cultural identities? - How will AI music change musicians? - Will AI replace artists? - Why does charisma matter in live performance? - Why was Kid Cudi’s “Day ’n’ Nite” important? - Why is A$AP Rocky considered a fashion artist? - What makes archive fashion valuable? - How do Grailed, eBay, and Discogs shape taste? - What brands are exciting right now? Lots of love! Sol --- Episode Tags: Dave Macklovitch, Dave 1, Chromeo, Pair of Kings, Hedi Slimane, Hedi Boys, Celine, Dior Homme, Saint Laurent, integrated fashion, fashion podcast, menswear podcast, archive fashion, indie sleaze, AI music, Suno AI, Kid Cudi, Day N Nite, Fool’s Gold Records, A$AP Rocky, Rick Owens, Tom Ford, Haider Ackermann, Demna Gucci, Kozaburo, Soshiotsuki, Thom Browne, Balmain Decarnin, Grailed, vintage menswear #fashionpodcast #chromeo #hedislimane #celine #saintlaurent #dior Sol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don’t forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we’ve dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”. Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.com Subscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a month Links: Instagram TikTok Twitter/X Sol's Substack (One Size Fits All) Sol’s Instagram Michael’s Instagram Michael’s TikTok

Who was Stanley DeSantis? Why is a 2004 Slipknot tee selling for $2,000? And what does a Daft Punk Roulette residency shirt have to do with how fashion brands sell you a lifestyle in 2026? Sol Thompson and Michael Smith return from their Neuehouse live recording for Episode 3 of Pair of Kings Season 14, continuing the season's deep dive into integrated fashion — the symbiotic loop where brands, hobbies, and ephemera matter more than the clothes. This week the boys go solo on the post-COVID explosion of the vintage band tee resale market and the story of Stanley DeSantis, the late character actor turned licensing impresario whose 90s company Passing For Sane made some of the most collectible all-over print T-shirts ever: X-Files, Aeon Flux, Spawn, Wizard of Oz, Speed Racer, Beavis and Butt-Head, Gone With the Wind, Pink Panther, Independence Day. The man licensed everything. Sol and Michael unpack why vintage T-shirts became fashion's most contested asset class: NYC's 8x vintage multiplier, why Slipknot Iowa-era merch and Daft Punk Vegas Roulette tees command four-figure resale on eBay and Whatnot, single stitch vs. double stitch hems, and the rodent-brain instinct of saving a Dub Tribe Sound System eBay search for years. They revisit the Miu Miu Literary Club through intellectual signaling (Simone de Beauvoir, Fumiko Enchi), the Aimé Leon Dore x Porsche 993 Turbo collab, defend RRL as American integrated fashion's original blueprint, and confront the imposter syndrome of wearing someone else's faded jeans. Other topics: Hedi Slimane Dior Homme resale gatekeeping, Charlie XCX Pop 2 merch as a future grail, the $3,700 Lady Gaga Schott Perfecto, why Akira and Ghost in the Shell tees became NFTs from first principles, scenecore and metalcore history (Suicide Silence, Dance Gavin Dance, The Used, Odd Future), Graceland Ridgewood, Rick Birkenstocks, and a moment for the goat — Stanley DeSantis, 1953–2005. Brought to you by ScentSplit. Tune in next week for a conversation on the artist as avatar. Lots of love! Sol Tags: Stanley DeSantis, Passing For Sane, vintage band tees, 90s licensed apparel, all over print t-shirts, integrated fashion, Pair of Kings podcast, fashion podcast 2026, menswear podcast, Slipknot Iowa shirt, Daft Punk Roulette, Hedi Slimane Dior Homme, Lady Gaga Fame Monster, Charlie XCX Pop 2, Aimé Leon Dore Porsche, Miu Miu Literary Club, RRL, Aeon Flux shirt, X-Files vintage, Ghost in the Shell tee, NYC vintage multiplier, Graceland Ridgewood, scenecore, archive fashion, ephemera fashion Sol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don’t forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we’ve dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”. Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.com Subscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a month Links: Instagram TikTok Twitter/X Sol's Substack (One Size Fits All) Sol’s Instagram Michael’s Instagram Michael’s TikTok

Is fashion still just about clothes? Why are cars, watches, and Formula 1 the new menswear? What does Aime Leon Dore have to do with Porsche, and why, in an age of automation, are buyers paying a premium for things that are...worse? Sol Thompson and Michael Smith sit down with Wesley Breed , the New York-based influencer, storyteller, and car enthusiast who pivoted his fashion platform into automotive content, to unpack the rise of "integrated fashion": the symbiotic loop between brands, hobbies, and identity that's redefining men's style in 2026. Recorded live at Neuehouse , the trio dig into how taste is built across cars, clothing, and watches, why hyper-niche content outperforms mass content on social media, and why mid-century craft is making a comeback. We continue to chat about Wesley's charity car show, how Adidas reframed Mercedes-AMG F1 with the Y-3 collection at the Miami Grand Prix, Yohji Yamamoto's soccer kits, why Nike's stock keeps tumbling while Adidas eats their lunch, Nike ACG sponsoring the F.A.T. Ice Race in Montana with Ferdi Porsche, Meyers Manx, and Tuttle, the Porsche Carrera GT hammering for $6.7M at Amelia Island, and why pre-exit Helmut Lang and Raf Simons-era Prada hold value. We don't just cover fashion; we discuss Aime Leon Dore x Porsche collabs, Lewis Hamilton's Rick Owens and Kartik Research wardrobe, Mario Balotelli as the original unintentional style icon, the Puma Speedcat's roots in Michael Schumacher's Ferrari race boots, Why AI drives buyers towards things they can feel, and watches from Casio to Patek Philippe complications. Plus: Frank Ocean wearing Jenny Holzer at Panorama, white Ferrari t-shirts, NYU Gallatin self-designed majors, Wesley parting with his Margiela, Comme des Garcons, and Rick Owens archive for comfort, Kozaburo as the designer to watch in 2026, the Green Street SoHo car meet scene, and why loving the thing beats owning it. Hope you enjoy as much as we did recording. Huge thanks to Neuehouse for hosting us and everyone that came! Lots of love! Sol Tags: Wesley Breed, Pair of Kings podcast, integrated fashion, men's fashion 2026, fashion podcast, Aime Leon Dore, ALD Porsche, New Balance 574, F1 fashion, Mercedes F1 Adidas, Y-3 Yohji Yamamoto, Nike ACG, F.A.T. Ice Race, Ferdi Porsche, Meyers Manx, Porsche Carrera GT, Lewis Hamilton style, Mario Balotelli fashion, watch culture 2026, Patek Philippe, Casio Sol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don’t forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we’ve dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”. Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.com Subscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a month Links: Instagram TikTok Twitter/X Sol's Substack (One Size Fits All) Sol’s Instagram Michael’s Instagram Michael’s TikTok

Why does every fashion brand run a coffee shop? How did a Stussy varsity jacket network from the late 1980s predict the business model of modern fashion? What does used spray paint have to do with why Miu Miu is one of the most effective brands in the world right now? Sol Thompson and Michael Smith open Season 14 of the Pair of Kings Podcast with a level set: the history of integrated fashion—the idea that buying clothes has always really been about buying into a lifestyle, a cult of personality, and an identity. Starting in 2014 at the height of Tumblr's image-first culture and tracing the full arc through Supreme drop culture, the grail sneaker peak, the outfit grid, the crash of sneaker resale, the rise of archive fashion, and the TikTok lifestyle-as-content revolution, they map how men's relationship with fashion fundamentally changed. They cover the Stüssy Tribe as fashion's original brand ambassador model—featuring Hiroshi Fujiwara, Michael Kopelman, and a pre-Supreme James Jebbia—the Supreme x LV collab as the undisputed peak of drop culture, Kith Treats and Cafe Leon Dore as the architects of the fashion third space, and the Miu Miu Literary Club as the most transparent example of what fashion brands are actually selling. We also touch on Demna's debut Gucci collection and his philosophy as a fashion anthropologist, the Hedi Slimane Saint Laurent Hedi boy cult of personality, the runway appearances of looksmaxxing and body dysmorphia, Vivienne Westwood and punk as integrated fashion's original historical anchor, the CBK/JFK aesthetic overtaking downtown New York, and what it means when even finance bros start buying Celine suits on purpose. Michael's fit: Wabash denim from Sugar Cane, Flat Head houndstooth flannel. Sol's fit: a Daft Punk Musique Vol. 1 CD release tee and a North Face layer. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did making it. Lots of love, Sol --- Episode Tags: integrated fashion, fashion lifestyle, menswear history 2026, drop culture history, grail sneakers, Stussy Tribe, Supreme x Louis Vuitton collab, archive fashion rise, sneaker resale crash, StockX history, Cafe Leon Dore, Kith Treats, fashion third space, Miu Miu Literary Club, Miu Miu girl, Demna Gvasalia Gucci 2026, Hedi Slimane Saint Laurent, Hedi boy aesthetic, Vivienne Westwood punk, looksmaxxing fashion, CBK JFK New York aesthetic, finance bro style 2026, Patagonia vest, Tumblr fashion era, outfit grid, KOTD, Instagram reels fashion, Hiroshi Fujiwara, James Jebbia, A$AP Rocky fashion, Rick Owens darkwear, archive PDF, menswear podcast 2026, Pair of Kings podcast, fashion podcast Sol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don’t forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we’ve dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”. Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.com Subscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a month Links: Instagram TikTok Twitter/X Sol's Substack (One Size Fits All) Sol’s Instagram Michael’s Instagram Michael’s TikTok

Why are men's style guides just glorified affiliate link shopping lists? What should a real style guide for men actually teach you? And how do you build a wardrobe you love without spending a fortune? On the Season 13 finale, Sol and Michael tear apart the modern men's style guide — from GQ and Esquire to The Rake — and expose why today's fashion advice is failing young men. We do what none of those guides bother to do: share real, practical styling tips that will actually make you dress better, starting today. No affiliate links. No product lists. No bullshit. The duo covers how to find a good tailor (and why a $100 vintage suit tailored for $600 beats a $1,000 suit off the rack), why you need to wear your clothes and break them in instead of babysitting them for resale value, how to stop treating clothing as an investment piece, the right way to wash and care for your garments, why trying clothes on in person matters more than ever, how to build your personal style by copying first and evolving over time, and why patience and eBay alerts will get you everything you want for a fraction of retail. They also rant about "end game" brand gatekeeping, Our Legacy, why influencer fashion has broken people's brains, Raf Simons resale culture as a Ponzi scheme, and the forgotten art of just wearing a beat-up Oxford shirt to work every day like a Thom Browne employee. Plus: fit checks featuring a 1971 US military fishtail parka with original blanket liner, Rick Owens drawstring pants and Uggs, a FedEx customs horror story, Joe Pesci's golf fits, the season wrap-up, and a $250 giveaway. We hope you enjoy this one as much as we loved making it. Season 14 returns in four weeks. Lots of love! Sol --- Episode Tags: men's style guide 2026, how to dress better, menswear tips, men's fashion advice, style tips for men, how to find a tailor, build a wardrobe on a budget, personal style for men, fashion podcast, Pair of Kings podcast, GQ style guide critique, affiliate link fashion, Rick Owens, Thom Browne, Raf Simons resale, Our Legacy, military surplus fashion, fishtail parka, vintage menswear, garment care tips, eBay fashion finds, streetwear, archive fashion, men's wardrobe essentials, how to wear your clothes, investment piece myth, fashion for young men, Gen Z menswear, dressing well in your 20s, fit check, fashion criticism 2026, break in your boots, tailoring advice Sol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don’t forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we’ve dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”. Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.com Subscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a month Links: Instagram TikTok Twitter/X Sol's Substack (One Size Fits All) Sol’s Instagram Michael’s Instagram Michael’s TikTok

What does it take to throw the most viral murder mystery parties in New York City? How do you go from pin-up modeling in Pittsburgh to walking for Vaquera at Paris Fashion Week? What happens when Rick Owens calls your name at a casting—but not for the runway? Sol and Michael sit down with Born DuBois —model, stylist, creative director, personal shopper, and the woman i-D Magazine called "A Star is Born" —for her very first podcast. Born has quietly become one of the most interesting people in New York fashion, juggling more jobs than anyone can count while throwing immersive murder mystery dinner parties that have attracted everyone from Interview Magazine stylists to Ella Emhoff. The trio get into everything: how Born writes 20-page plays for her murder mysteries with no outline, her Vaquera runway debut and the surreal experience of having her face printed on the entire collection at Paris Fashion Week, a Maybelline casting where she showed up in a latex bodysuit and was asked to dance, her ASAP Rocky audition that became a monologue about Amish country, accidentally getting high on cold medicine for a Nike billboard shoot at Madison Square Garden, moving to New York to get on SNL, getting kicked out of improv class for being too funny, the story behind her Numero Berlin cover, styling on a $300 budget, and why Lady Gaga's Joanne changed her life while she was shredding papers in a freezing basement. We also chat about Phantom of the Opera, Rick Owens trying to shave her eyebrows for TikTok, street casting in NYC, designing mugs on the Lower East Side, and Balenciaga Speed Hunters. We hope you enjoy as much as we did recording! Lots of love! Sol Episode Tags: Born DuBois, murder mystery party NYC, viral murder mystery, fashion model podcast, i-D Magazine, Vaquera runway, Vaquera Paris Fashion Week, Rick Owens casting, Nike model, Maybelline casting, modeling audition stories, fashion industry jobs, immersive theater NYC, fashion podcast 2026, menswear podcast, Numero Berlin, ASAP Rocky, street casting NYC, modeling career advice, fashion styling tips, Ella Emhoff, Prada, Balenciaga Speed Hunters, personal shopping on a budget, Paris Fashion Week model, Lady Gaga Joanne, Pair of Kings podcast, how to throw a murder mystery party, how to become a model, creative director fashion, thrift fashion, vintage clothing NYC, fashion week behind the scenes, dinner theater New York Sol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don’t forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we’ve dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”. Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.com Subscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a month Links: Instagram TikTok Twitter/X Sol's Substack (One Size Fits All) Sol’s Instagram Michael’s Instagram Michael’s TikTok

Is Raf Simons finally back? Is Rick Owens still the GOAT? Did Jonathan Anderson fumble his AW27 Dior menswear show? Why does Dsquared2 keep putting giant furry hats on models—and why do we respect it? Sol and Michael break down 2026's Paris Fashion Week and Milan Fashion Week with their most unfiltered runway reviews yet. Which designers are cooking? Which creative directors are washed? Find out. RUNWAY REVIEWS: Prada FW26: High button holes, dirty French cuffs, and silhouettes echoing early Raf archive (Riot Riot Riot era). A genuine return to form—dressing cool young people, not runway theater. Rick Owens "TOWER": Military fashion without cosplay. Exaggerated shoulders replace traditional epaulets. Comparisons to Concordians, Porterville, Hollywood, Temple, and Lido—this might be his best of the past 5 years. Jonathan Anderson — Dior Men's AW27: Paul Poiret references and "heritage meets subversion" press notes that don't translate. Dsquared2 FW26: Dean and Dan Caten deliver giant furry hats, Olympic ski aesthetics, and jacked models with chiseled jawlines. Ralph Lauren FW26: Is Ralph pandering to the Aime Leon Dore and Bodé crowd? Vintage Polo Sport looks feel five years late to the Lower East Side menswear revival. But the tailoring buried later—velvet tuxedos, opera loafers, herringbone Chesterfields, cutaway collars—still hits. Balenciaga FW26 (Pierpaolo Piccioli): Post-Demna disappointment. Zara-coded varsity bombers, incoherent lookbook energy. Soshio Otsuki — Pitti Uomo 2026: The Japanese designer making YSL-inspired power suits for men. Double-breasted blazers for $600, Boro stitching collabs, jumpsuit-illusion suiting. Also discussed: Demna's Gucci debut, Louis Vuitton under Pharrell, London vs. New York street style, British tailoring culture, Rolling Dub Trio and Kozaburo boots, making a horse leather Birkin, and whether Dolce & Gabbana discourse is just an easy accountability checkbox. QUESTIONS ANSWERED: → What did Raf Simons show at Prada FW26? → Who is the best designer of 2026? → Who is the new Dior menswear creative director? → Is Ralph Lauren copying Aime Leon Dore? → What happened to Balenciaga after Demna? → Who is Soshio Otsuki? → What is the high button hole trend? → What are the best Paris Fashion Week FW26 collections? → London vs. New York: Who dresses better? Sol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don’t forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we’ve dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”. Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.com Subscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a month Links: Instagram TikTok Twitter/X Sol's Substack (One Size Fits All) Sol’s Instagram Michael’s Instagram Michael’s TikTok

What does a creative director actually do at a major fashion publication? Is Chrome Hearts still worth the investment in 2026? How did vintage Bape become the gateway drug for an entire generation of streetwear obsessives? And why is Rick Owens' FW14 Moody still influencing how we dress today? We sit down with Paul Heavener , Creative Director at Hypebeast, for a deep dive into his decade-long journey from Bape Talk forum moderator to leading one of fashion media's most influential creative teams. Paul shares stories about discovering Bape in a college dorm in 2005, his first fake hoodie, lining up outside in NYC for shark hoodies, and how internet fashion forums shaped streetwear culture before Instagram existed. Sol and Michael also chat with Paul about his obsession with Rick Owens (specifically the FW2014 Moody show, crop Stooges, and the Little Joe jacket), his complicated relationship with Chrome Hearts and their disappearing customization services, and why he now hunts for 1930s French workwear instead of hyped releases. We break down the rise of Golf as a hyped area of men's fashion and post-COVID individual sports culture, how Hypebeast balances legacy readers with Gen-Z audiences, the return of print magazines as collector's items, and why the anime-to-fashion pipeline is more real than ever. Finally, Paul reveals his favorite emerging designers (Professor E, Taiga Takahashi, Camiel Fortgens), explains how Hypebeast's creative studio actually operates, and shares his path from intern to creative director. Whether you're interested in breaking into fashion media, understanding how creative direction works at scale, hunting for archive pieces, or just want to know what the creative director of Hypebeast wears day-to-day (spoiler: Ann Demeulemeester jeans, Rick Owens long sleeves, and Chrome Hearts jewelry), this episode delivers. For extra episodes, early access to episodes, and giveaways, subscribe to our HeroHero! Episode Tags: Hypebeast interview 2026, A Bathing Ape, Nigo streetwear, Chrome Hearts jewelry, Chrome Hearts 2026, archive fashion, menswear podcast, fashion media career, creative director career, fashion editorial, streetwear trends 2026, French workwear vintage, Hype Golf, golf fashion 2026, golf streetwear, Hypebeast magazine, menswear trends 2026, Lady Machine DJ, fashion industry podcast, high fashion podcast, JoJo Bizarre Adventure fashion, Paul Harnden, Elena Dawson, Victorian fashion, New York fashion, fashion week, Pitti Uomo, Milan Design Week Sol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don’t forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we’ve dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”. Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.com Subscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a month Links: Instagram TikTok Twitter/X Sol's Substack (One Size Fits All) Sol’s Instagram Michael’s Instagram Michael’s TikTok

What's the best men's cologne in 2026? Is Orto Parisi worth the hype? What does "grassy" mean? How do you actually describe how something smells without sounding pretentious? In the 2026 Scentacular, Sol and Michael sit down with over 50 fragrance samples (thank you, ScentSplit!) to answer these questions and more to create the ultimate 2026 fragrance guide for men. The duo dive deep into niche perfume houses like Orto Parisi, Serge Lutens, Frederic Malle, and Amouage—reviewing cult classics like Megamare, Jubilation XXV, Cowboy Grass, and Carnal Flower. They discuss why the fragrance industry is booming right now (hint: lipstick theory), how TikTok perfume influencers are changing the game, and dive deep into the trendy ingredients (like ambroxan) that give modern fragrances their smell and insane longevity. Further, Sol shares his new favorite daily wear from Story MFG's collaboration with master perfumer Joseph, and Michael finally reveals what that mysterious "plastic" note is that he's been chasing for years. We also discuss Chergui and Ombre Sultan by Serge Lutens, Osang and Reliqvia by Mendittorosa (the "Catholic guilt" church scents), Viride and Terroni by Orto Parisi, Targo by Blackbird, Milk by Commodity, Cowboy Grass by D.S. & Durga, Bois de Babylone by Welton London, Camutra by Attar Al Has, Macanudo by Maison Datto, La Fille de Berlin by Serge Lutens, and Anarchist A by Toskovat. The hosts also shout out emerging niche houses like Clue Perfumery, House of Mammoth, St Clair Scents, Pearfat Parfum, and January Scent Project. Whether you're looking for your signature scent, a date night fragrance, or just want to understand why your Sephora is suddenly packed with guys in the perfume aisle—this episode has you covered. For a chance to win $250 of ScentSplit credit, subscribe to the HeroHero! We hope you enjoy! Lots of love! Sol Episode Tags best men's cologne 2026, niche fragrances, Megamare, Orto Parisi, fragrance review, men's perfume guide, Serge Lutens, Amouage Jubilation XXV, D.S. & Durga Cowboy Grass, Frederic Malle Carnal Flower, cologne recommendations, niche perfume 2026, ScentSplit, scentbar, date night cologne, Mendittorosa Sang, grassy cologne, Toskovat, Blackbird Targa, lipstick theory economics, Story MFG perfume, Commodity Milk, Byredo, Attar Al Has, Another 13, compliment getter cologne, streetwear fashion, men's grooming 2026, archive fashion fragrance Sol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don’t forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we’ve dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”. Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.com Subscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a month Links: Instagram TikTok Twitter/X Sol's Substack (One Size Fits All) Sol’s Instagram Michael’s Instagram Michael’s TikTok

Is Stone Island actually worth the price? What lifestyle requires techwear? Is Timothee Chalamet overrated? Why does Lady Gaga feel less authentic than Charli XCX? What is gooning, and how did it end up in Harper's Bazaar? This week, Sol and Michael sit down with Shane O'Neill , writer for The Washington Post's twice-weekly pop culture newsletter "Seriously?," to unpack the weirdest corners of the internet and how they intersect with fashion, music, and modern masculinity. The trio explore the techwear vs. lifestyle debate, why Stone Island might be "a little more serious" than necessary, the complicated appeal of Timothee Chalamet vs. Pedro Pascal, and whether Madonna's Celebration Tour was genius or needed a creative director. Shane defends his take on why Charli XCX feels more genuine than Lady Gaga, the overlooked brilliance of the Blue Man Group's first album, and how his job at the Washington Post lets him explore everything from competitive Excel spreadsheet championships to extremely niche fetish communities on TikTok. The conversation goes off the deep end: gooning culture and how Shane learned about it years before it hit mainstream media, why Jeremy Scott is "the Taco Bell of fashion" (complimentary), the NFL's official stylist whose college thesis connected SpongeBob SquarePants to the Arab Spring uprisings (not a joke), and why most luxury fashion houses are actually perfume or shoe companies pretending to sell clothes. They also discuss the Ice Spice SpongeBob movie premiere outfit controversy, why people pay to stand motionless at techno clubs, and Warped Tour nostalgia. Other topics include: Devoa, the Saint Laurent SS16 Surf Sound collection, ASICS x Comme des Garçons sneakers, the oura ring and Palantir data concerns, extreme fitness culture and dissociation, Russian seal best friends named Kroshik and Shlissik, and competitive Excel spreadsheet merch. We hope you enjoy! Lots of love! Sol --- Episode Tags: Shane O'Neill, Washington Post Seriously, fashion podcast 2026, gooning explained, gooning Harper's Bazaar, Jeremy Scott fashion, menswear podcast, streetwear podcast, archive fashion, internet subcultures, TikTok algorithm, competitive Excel spreadsheets, niche communities, oura ring review, Ice Spice stylist, men's fashion trends 2026, Kyle Smith NFL stylist, Alexander McQueen shoes Sol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don’t forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we’ve dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”. Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.com Subscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a month Links: Instagram TikTok Twitter/X Sol's Substack (One Size Fits All) Sol’s Instagram Michael’s Instagram Michael’s TikTok

Did Rick Owens really design leather jackets for Ghost of Mars? Is Timothee Chalamet running the exact same PR playbook as Jack Harlow? What the hell is Goouch, and can a goose be a Muppet? Sol and Michael are back! They sit down to break down Rick Owens' early Hollywood costume design work (Ghost of Mars, Tank Girl, Otto; or Up with Dead People), the sock-heel technique that created the iconic pagoda shoulders, and Bailey Goldberg's knitwear producers. The pair then dives into the Timothee Chalamet Marty Supreme PR playbook—from Druski collabs and Chrome Hearts red carpet fits to basketball clout and cultural co-opting—and asks why Hollywood can't let a good actor just act. Finally, a full-blown rant about Front General Store's refusal to stock size Large, a $800 "Viet Cong Hunting Club" military liner, and the ethics of selling Vietnam-era militaria in 2025. They also cover: Lower East Side store tours (Self Edge, Desert Vintage, Commune, Copy, Brute Archives), why Orchard Street is still the fashion capital of New York, Japanese 90s rave culture photography books, the Fear of God represent era fashion time capsule, fake Chrome Hearts dunks, fake Geos flooding the market, Supreme box logo nostalgia, ins and outs list criticism, late 90s and early 2000s horror movie promo tees (House of 1000 Corpses, Flatliners, The Faculty, Planet Terror), why Good Art should make Birkenstock buckles, a heated Muppets debate (what qualifies as a Muppet?), Nine Inch Snails lore, Nicholas Cage movie quotes, Absolute Batman and Doomsday Clock, Happy Gilmore 2 and the nostalgia sequel problem, joggers vs boot cuts, long line tees vs cropped silhouettes, and much more. Big Announcement: The Pair of Kings Podcast turns 6 years old! Join us for the birthday party on Friday, January 16th—free entry, cake, music, and community vibes. Plus: Enter our military surplus giveaway (combat boots + milsurp jacket) through Hero at hero.co/pok. Sol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don’t forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we’ve dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”. Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.com Subscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a month Links: Instagram TikTok Twitter/X Sol's Substack (One Size Fits All) Sol’s Instagram Michael’s Instagram Michael’s TikTok

Where does your field jacket actually come from? Were WWII soldiers the original hypebeasts? What is the M-43 jacket? Sol and Michael sit down with Avery Trufelman , host of Articles of Interest and 99% Invisible veteran, to break down the military origins of menswear and why everyone's suddenly obsessed with gorpcore. The trio dive deep into the history of the M-65 field jacket, how World War II military surplus shaped American fashion, the invention of layering (yes, someone had to invent it), why Special Forces operators became fashion influencers, and the complicated ethics of wearing military aesthetics as civilians. Further, Avery shares insights from her latest podcast season "Gear," explaining the connection between outdoor brands and military contracts, the decline of army surplus stores, why The Row is making combat boots now, and how Buck Mason's militaria collection tells the story of American style. They also discuss Vivienne Westwood's punk legacy, the upcoming Antwerp Six book, athleisure as health signifier, Rick Owens' influence on tactical fashion, women's gear and the "pink it and shrink it" problem, plus whether military fashion makes you complicit in something larger. Other topics include: the Parsons jacket and Supreme-style military drops, George Doria inventing venture capital AND the field jacket, challenge coins and PowerPoint patch design, Americana Pipe Dream's hunt for rare surplus, Cher and the Armenian diaspora (a future episode?), and why fashion never really goes away — it just cycles back. Want to support the podcast? Subscribe to our HeroHero for giveaways, extra episodes, and more! We hope you enjoy just as much as we did recording! Lots of love! Sol --- Episode Tags: Avery Trufelman, Articles of Interest, military fashion, field jacket history, M-65 jacket, gorpcore 2025, menswear history, military surplus, tactical fashion, outdoor gear fashion, American style origins, 99% Invisible, fashion podcast, cargo pants history, Special Forces fashion, athleisure, Rick Owens menswear, The Row combat boots, Vivienne Westwood, punk fashion origins, Antwerp Six, Buck Mason, vintage military clothing, workwear fashion, heritage menswear, Americana Pipe Dream, OG-107 pants, archival fashion, techwear, Stone Island, CP Company, Helmut Lang, fashion trend forecasting, militaria collection, Patagonia military, Arc'teryx fashion, North Face history, functional fashion 2026 Sol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don’t forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we’ve dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”. Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.com Subscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a month Links: Instagram TikTok Twitter/X Sol's Substack (One Size Fits All) Sol’s Instagram Michael’s Instagram Michael’s TikTok

Is that Chrome Hearts real or fake? Should guys actually use skincare? Why are "stylists" wearing head-to-toe counterfeit on the subway? Sol and Michael are back for a boys episode as they chat about spotting fake Chrome Hearts (and why people can't dress when they wear fakes), the perfume habits of Albanian men in the club, men's skincare routines that actually work (CeraVe, The Ordinary, La Roche-Posay) from an unsponsored viewpoint, men's skincare mistakes (and why Neutrogena face wash is apparently destroying everyone's face), the best affordable skincare products for guys, putting sports stylists getting in fashion jail, how Telfar bags are priced, the best fashion Black Friday sales, how to tell if designer fashion is counterfeit, Philadelphia sports culture (Go Birds), AI-generated restaurant menus (?!), people designing merch on Canva, why fashion people need to touch grass, andtheir massive skincare giveaway (you could win everything). If you'd like to support the podcast and be entered into our wonderful skincare giveaway, subscribe to our HeroHero! We hope you enjoy :) Lots of love! Sol --- Episode tags: Chrome Hearts fake, men's skincare routine, how to spot fake designer, CeraVe skincare, The Ordinary products, men's grooming, counterfeit fashion, Chrome Hearts legit check, affordable skincare men, fashion podcast, fake fashion culture, La Roche-Posay, skincare for guys, vitamin C serum men, designer authentication, fashion styling critique, men's face wash, beginner skincare routine, Chrome Hearts real vs fake, drugstore skincare, fashion commentary podcast, men's moisturizer, skincare products men need, fake designer problem, fashion culture discussion, Pair of Kings podcast, men's grooming essentials, budget skincare routine, counterfeit spotting guide, fashion styling mistakes Sol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don’t forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we’ve dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”. Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.com Subscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a month Links: Instagram TikTok Twitter/X Sol's Substack (One Size Fits All) Sol’s Instagram Michael’s Instagram Michael’s TikTok

Who were the best designers of Paris Fashion Week 2025? Sol and Michael are talking the future of fashion this week! The duo sit down with Mandy Lee (aka oldloserinbrooklyn) to chat about fashion trend forecasting before TikTok existed (and TikTok fashion trends), microtrends vs macro trends (and why everyone's obsessed with ranking them), the Simone Rocha bride aesthetic, designer fashion show debuts in 2025, what it's really like being a Gen Z fashion influencer, how TikTok changed fashion predictions forever, the politics of fashion discourse (and why fashion people need to touch grass), pandemic TikTok origin stories (chainmail, anyone?), freaky shoes collections, why the fashion industry ate its own during COVID layoffs, fashion community building, Neo-punk revivalism right-wing mommy influencers (yes, that's a thing, apparently), and whether liberals are losing the culture war on the internet (among other things)! Want to support the podcast? Subscribe to our HeroHero for giveaways, extra episodes, and more! We hope you enjoy just as much as we did recording! Lots of love! Sol --- Episode tags: trend forecasting, microtrends 2025, Simone Rocha, old loser in Brooklyn, Mandy Lee, TikTok fashion, Gen Z fashion trends, designer debuts 2025, fashion show rankings, Brooklyn fashion, pandemic TikTok, fashion predictions 2026, balletcore, coquette aesthetic, fashion industry, runway analysis, fashion podcast, fashion forecaster interview, Sandy Liang, quiet luxury, mob wife aesthetic, fashion and politics, neo-punk revival, fashion community, fashion discourse, freaky shoes, Y2K fashion, fashion career advice Sol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don’t forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we’ve dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”. Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.com Subscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a month Links: Instagram TikTok Twitter/X Sol's Substack (One Size Fits All) Sol’s Instagram Michael’s Instagram Michael’s TikTok

Is Glenn Martens a good designer? Who owns Maison Margiela (and thus, controls the brand)? Are Margiela gats, futures, tabis, and shoes enough to carry a designer through their tenure? Join Michael and Sol as they chat about what it means to be a designer in 2025, Maison Margiela shoes, John Galliano, Martin Margiela, Hedi Slimane Jeans, Saint Laurent's rebrand (why did YSL change to SLP), mm6 (and the connotations of the line), Margiela's Line 2, Vetements Hoodies (and how to legit check vetements hoodies (they're all fake)), how fashion changed with social media, what the connotations of a hoodie/t-shirt/sweatpants changed, Sol's weird date, if Thom Yorke is a zionist, and Dubtribe Sound System's "Do It Now" (among other things)! If you'd like to support the podcast and be entered into our wonderful Toskovat fragrance giveaway, subscribe to our HeroHero! We hope you enjoy :) Lots of love! Sol --- mens fashion podcast, margiela 2026, demna balenciaga, glenn martens designer, y project fashion, diesel fashion brand, gucci flip flops, streetwear trends 2026, luxury fashion for men, designer fashion explained, north face style guide, mens style tips, fashion podcast recommendations, balenciaga worth it, margiela review, streetwear essentials, mens fashion trends, designer sneakers 2026, hypebeast fashion, fashion for guys, mens streetwear guide, luxury streetwear brands, demna gvasalia designs, is balenciaga overrated, gucci slides styling, mens fashion advice, ski jacket streetwear, designer hoodies men, fashion podcast spotify, mens style 2026, streetwear fit check, designer brand tier list, margiela vs balenciaga, mens fashion basics, streetwear on budget, fashion trends explained, mens wardrobe essentials, designer fashion worth it, streetwear outfit ideas, fashion for young men, luxury fashion guide, street style men, fashion podcast youtube, mens fashion mistakes, designer clothing review, fashion trends tiktok, streetwear brands 2026, mens style evolution, fashion content creators, pair of kings podcast Sol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don’t forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we’ve dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”. Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.com Subscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a month Links: Instagram TikTok Twitter/X Sol's Substack (One Size Fits All) Sol’s Instagram Michael’s Instagram Michael’s TikTok

Where DO you find the best vintage jeans? This week, Dr. Sonya Abrego , the world's preeminent Westernwear historian joins Sol and Michael to talk about vintage jeans, American-made denim, the Cone Mills Corporation, Lee Jeans (and why pocket designs matter!), what IS selvedge denim, (and what is raw denim), her greatest finds from her days as a picker, the modern landscape of denim, how to date levis, what is so special about raw denim (especially if it's made in the US), some myths about denim production, the craziest denim/workwear brand you've never heard of (not a joke, Sonya blew my mind), her newest research, and so much more! If you want to hear episodes early, support the podcast, and be included in all of our giveaways, subscribe to our HeroHero! Thank you so much to Dr. Abrego - we hope you enjoy the episode as much as we enjoyed chatting with her! Lots of love! Sol --- 0:00 Dr. Sonya Abrego - Western Wear Expert & Fashion Historian 0:35 What makes vintage Levi's valuable? 2:02 What is selvedge denim? 4:04 How to date vintage Levi's jeans 5:52 Where to find vintage Western wear 7:14 Why is Western wear popular? 11:52 What is raw denim? 14:37 Best vintage clothing stores 18:20 How to authenticate vintage denim 22:45 Cone Mills denim? 28:30 Japanese selvedge denim brands 35:15 Kapital clothing brand guide 42:00 How to identify vintage cowboy shirts 48:25 Western wear trends 2025 53:40 Where to buy vintage jeans online 58:10 How to care for raw denim 1:02:35 Is vintage clothing sustainable? 1:06:20 Ranch wear vs Western wear difference 1:09:09 Spaghetti Western fashion influence 1:12:59 Best Western wear brands today Sol Thompson and Michael Smith explore the world and subcultures of fashion, interviewing creators, personalities, and industry insiders to highlight the new vanguard of the fashion world. Subscribe for weekly uploads of the podcast, and don’t forgot to follow us on our social channels for additional content, and join our discord to access what we’ve dubbed “the happiest place in fashion”. Message us with Business Inquiries at pairofkingspod@gmail.com Subscribe to get early access to podcasts and videos, and participate in exclusive giveaways for $4 a month Links: Instagram TikTok Twitter/X Sol's Substack (One Size Fits All) Sol’s Instagram Michael’s Instagram Michael’s TikTok