Manolo the Columnist
Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post.
Dear Manolo,
I’m completely taken with the latest hot trend, gladiator sandals. Could you recommend a pair for me?
Marilyn
Manolo says, like most peoples, when the Manolo hears the word “gladiator” he thinks immediately of the paradoxically thuggish, yet sensitive, Australian he-man Russell Crowe, all shouting and broody, as he hacks his manly-man way across the movie screen, clad only in the mini-skirt, shiny breastplate, and fancy leather mandals.
Indeed, not since Victor Mature and Kirk Douglas were the big movie stars in the 1950s, have raging testosterone and man sandals been so thoroughly mixed in the mind of the public.
And so it is surprising that now, in 2008, the girliest of girls are eagerly wearing these most muy macho of ancient feetwear.
While the Manolo generally approves of the trend, he must caution that not everyone is suited to the style. They work best for young women of particularly feminine shape and demeanor. Others of different configuration may well invite unfavorable comparisons to Cato the Elder.
Of course, if you are going to follow the trend then the best way to do so is with these costly, golden Giuseppe Zanotti sandals, which have been spotted most recently on Gwyneth Paltrow, and if that is not the definition of trendy feetwear..
May 16th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Funny, when I was just a tot growing up in Trinidad in the ’60’s and ’70s, these “shoes” were all the rage. We called them Jesus “boots” then. They were made of strong, brown, unvarnished leather then__ all the better for Jesus to walk on the water I suppose. What a difference a few decades make. I wonder if Jesus could afford these today. GEEZ! With the price of gas, he’d definitely have to walk or glide. He’d need a whole cafeteria full of food to turn into “dough” to afford these Zanottis.
May 16th, 2008 at 9:28 am
The only way gladiator sandals should be acceptable on a woman’s foot is if she’s wearing an accompanying breastplate; otherwise, gladiators are ugly…
May 16th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Yes, exactly. Anyone with a legitimate claim to the divine is good with it, otherwise, fughedabouddid!
May 16th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
I love gladiator sandals in theory and gold and shiny all the time. However, being short and stumpy though curvaceous these sandals make my legs look even stubbier :(
May 17th, 2008 at 12:09 am
You know, they certainly have a -look- about them–namely, a kind of ancient Greek and Roman look. I personally don’t like the fashion; they aren’t necessarily ugly but they look too costumey to me.
May 17th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
I was just trying to find a pair of new sandals and found THIS monstrosity:
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/39619292/c/200.html
I even think I made an audible squeal of horror. These are *armored* gladiator sandals.
May 19th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Gladiator sandals only look good in biblical period films. Otherwise, basta!
May 19th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
mandals?! ha!!
May 19th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Do you all think a more colorful gladiator option softens the masculine edge?
http://www.simplysoles.com/Bettye-Muller-shoes-Golden-by-Bettye-Muller-gladiator-style/product/490
The brown suede has a nice look to it.
Luv
Poochie