Pair of Kings: A Fashion and Culture Podcast
Pair of Kings is the men's fashion and culture podcast for the next generation of style. Hosted by Sol Thompson and Michael Smith in New York City, each weekly episode breaks down what's actually happening in menswear—from streetwear to archive fashion—and the trends reshaping how men dress in 2026 and beyond.
We cover the full spectrum of current men's fashion: emerging designer brands and Grailed finds, vintage menswear, sneaker culture, and luxury collaborations, Japanese denim, and the Lower East Side revival we called before anyone else.
Our interviews spotlight the creators, stylists, editors, and industry insiders pushing fashion forward—the new vanguard building culture from the ground up.
While Pair of Kings is a fashion podcast, we're also a window into the NYC scene—the Lower East Side resurgence, downtown nightlife, art world crossovers, and the community energy driving Gen-Z and millennial style culture.
If you care about gorpcore, workwear, Salomon sneakers, Rick Owens, Stone Island, Demna's Gucci, runway breakdowns, or just building a personal style that actually means something—this is your show.
Think of us as the bridge between legacy fashion media and the new wave: less gatekeeping, more real talk about streetwear outfits, designer pieces, sustainable fashion, and the relationship between clothing, identity, and community. New episodes every other week.
Topics we cover: men's fashion trends, streetwear culture, archive fashion, menswear podcast, NYC fashion, emerging designers, Grailed, vintage clothing, sneaker releases, luxury menswear, personal style, fashion interviews, Gen-Z style, contemporary menswear, fashion community, trend forecasting, indie sleaze, quiet luxury, relaxed tailoring, New York City culture
Episodes
308 episodes
Interview with Wesley Breed: Cars as Fashion, Aime Leon Dore X Porsche, and Why People Pay a Premium for Vintage | Season 14, Episode 2
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?
Integrated Fashion: How We Stopped Buying Clothes and Started Buying Lifestyles | Season 14, Episode 1
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...
How to Dress Better in 2026: An Actual Men's Style Guide by Pair of Kings | 13.19
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,
Born DuBois on Viral Murder Mystery Parties, Vaquera's Paris Runway, Rick Owens Auditions, and What It Takes to Make It in Fashion | 13.18
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 ...
Paris Fashion Week FW26 Review: Is Raf Simons Back? Rick Owens, Dior, Dsquared2 & More | 13.17
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?
Paul Heavener on What a Creative Director Does at Hypebeast, Vintage Bape, Archive Fashion as a Trend & the Future of Streetwear | 13.16
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...
The Best Fragrances for Men, The Modern Master of Perfume, and Honestly Reviewing the Hottest Niche Fragrances of 2026: The PoK Scentacular | 13.15
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,
Shane O'Neill (@shaneisland) Explains Gooning, Jeremy Scott's Legacy & the NFL's Link to the Arab Spring's Love of SpongeBob | 13.14
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? ...
Rare Rick Owens Jackets, the Marty Supreme Jacket PR Machine, and the Muppets | 13.13
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<...
Avery Trufelman on Why We Wear Military Clothes, M-65 Field Jackets, and how Military Surplus Shaped Modern Fashion History | 13.12
Where does your field jacket actually come from? Were WWII soldiers the original hypebeasts? What is the M-43 jacket? Sol and Mi...
Men's Skincare Routines, Chrome Hearts Jewelry, and Trying to Buy the Sauce | 13.11
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
Mandy Lee (@oldloserinbrooklyn) on 2026 Fashion Trend Predictions, Freaky Shoes, and Embodying the Old Loser in Brooklyn | 13.10
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 <...
Glenn Martens' Margiela, Balenciaga Hoodies, Hedi Slimane Jeans, and How Sweatshirts Changed Forever | 13.9
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
Dr. Sonya Abrego (@sonyaabrego) on Men's Westernwear, The History of American Denim, and Where to Buy Vintage Jeans | 13.8
Where DO you find the best vintage jeans? This week, Dr. Sonya Abrego, the world's preeminent Westernwear historian joins Sol and
13.7 - The Rick Owens Retrospective, Stone Island and CP Company's Fabric Development, and Modern Italian Fashion
You could hear episode early and get access to our Rick Owens "Temple of Love" Giveaway by subscribing to our HeroHero! Michael's back! Michael's back! Sit down as Sol catches up with his work ...
13.6 - International Tours, Object Permanence, and How to Win at Solitaire with Sophia Stel (@insignificantfunds)
You could hear episodes early and get access to all of our giveaways on our HeroHero!It's with great pleasure that I announce this week's episode with
13.5 - Rating and Reviewing Every Paris Fashion Week Debut with Sol (@ellaemhoff) and Michael (@hot_vodkaa)
This episode has a $250 ESSX Giveaway! All HeroHero subscribers are automatically entered.The boys are back for a totally normal, definitely-nothing-amiss episode. Join
13.4 - Inventing Health Goths (not a joke), Partying in New York Fashion Week, and Professional Basketball with Caitlin Cunningham (@caitlepillar)
You could have heard this episode early and had access to our $250 Komune Giveaway on our HeroHero!That title isn't a joke, everyone! This week, instagra...
13.3 - How We Fix the Fashion Industry, NYFW Notes, and the Friends of Pair of Kings Live Show!
Get early access to episodes and automatic entry into our giveaways when you subscribe to our HeroHero!Michael and
13.2 - Why Shit Not Working and How Do We Fix New York City with Chi Ossé (@chiosse)
You can hear episodes early and get access to our weekly giveaways on HeroHero!The glaring issues of the greatest city in the world (New York) frustrate the Pair of Kings: little access to trains, hi...
13.1 — Our Upcoming Popup, the Lower East Side Fashion Scene Update, and Sol's Shopping Mega-List
Hi everyone! After a very long wait, we're back with a new season of the podcast! Tune in as the boys talk about the upcoming Friends of PoK popup (September 26th-28th at Komune) featuring d...
12.21 - The Great Big Berlin Fashion Week Wrap-Up
You can enter into all of our giveaways (including the one on this episode) and get early access to episodes at our HeroHeroMichael's back from Berl...
12.20 - The Best Brands You've Never Heard Of
We're giving away a beautiful AV Beamon jacket on our HeroHero to celebrate the episode: subscribe to support the show, enter into the giveaway and get early access to episodes!