Manolo’s Shoe Blog

Manolo says, the Manolo brings back to you, from the depths of the YouTube, the Velvet Fog…

Mel Tormé at 18 years of age.

Mel Tormé at 29 years of age.

Mel Tormé at 51 years of age.

Mel at 63 years of age.

Several things about this series of the videos amuse the Manolo.

First, that the women’s fashions from 1943 could be worn today by the super fantastic girl (sans the short-sleeve jacket with the big shoulders) while the men’s fashions would seem mostly costumey.

Second, Mel looks much better in 1989 than he does in 1976, and indeed to judge from the synthetic tuxedo and the stacked heel shoes this moment appears to be the nadir of the 20th Century fashion.

Third, Mel always seems to be genuinely enjoying himself. There is the great and cheerful joyousness in his singing that never fails to make the Manolo smile.

Manolo says, tomorrow it is the first day of spring! And what better way to celebrate than with the beautiful and flowery shoes from the Delman!

The blue wedge, with its exuberant floweriness, especially makes the Manolo happy.

Manolo says, it is Tuesday, time to see what the Manolo is…

Reading…

Listening to…

Watching…

The Mark Helprin and the Velvet Fog, they are sublime!

And now, from the sublime to the wan, there is the You, Me and the Dupree. All the Manolo can say is, go away, Owen Wilson, and do not return until you are not just lazily playing your own smarmy, solipsistic self. The Manolo has grown weary of you and your “schtick”.

And while you are going away, Mr. Butterscotch Stallion, please take this Kate Hudson person with you. the Manolo does not understand her supposed attraction. She seems self-enamored and humorless, and the camera does not like her. Better she should be elsewhere than on the Manolo’s movie screen.

The only real actors present in this lazy movie were the Micheal Douglas, and the very amusing and talented Matt Dillon, who seemed to come in from the entirely different, much better, much funnier movie.

Manolo says, what are those, the men’s size thirteen?

Manolo says, ayyyyyy! Her head is being swallowed by the giant crocheted albino worm!

Manolo says, perhaps you would not like to wear them, but you certainly do not mind looking at them. Thus even the humble shoes may be great art in the right hands.

Manolo says, here are the few links that may perhaps amuse…

Use orange laces on these buggers and you could start another civil war right there on the sidewalk.

“I mean, it tastes like salty barnacles.”

Made of goat suede, no less!

Manolo says, it is the day for the wearing o’ the green!

Here is the Kate Spade kitten-heel mary jane that would help your Erin go Braugh!

One of the commenters at the Zappos says these olive platforms from the Charles David made her “feel like Grace Kelly”, and if that’s not Irishy-American the Manolo does not know what is.

The Faith and Begorrah! But, these cute wedges from the Fornarina are green!

Manolo says, here are the few links that may perhaps amuse…

The Gentle Craft.

The *real* question is, when will skirts for men come back into style?

Buttermilk!