Manolo the Columnist: From the Archives of the Manolo
Manolo says, the Manolo has had the family emergency this week, and so he is presenting to you this classic Express of the Washington Post column from more than two years ago. Please enjoy.
Dear Manolo,
I just woke up this morning and realized that I’m middle aged. Can you recommend something that will make me feel young again, without seeming too ridiculous?
Your devoted fan,
Margaret
Manolo says, the Manolo has only the two words…Kork-Ease!
Yes, now you are firmly in the age of the middle, with the teenaged kids and the mortgage, but put the Kork-Ease upon your feets and suddenly you are transported back to your youthful triumph as the unofficial “Disco Queen of Topeka, Kansas”, when you and the very hot Bob Beiderman tore up the dance floor with your original interpretation of the Hustle.
Oh how the Bob, he could shake his groove thing!
Yes, now he is the balding John Deere salesman with the pot belly and the Buick Riviera, but then he was the hottest young stud to ever put on the white polyester pants, the shiny black shirt and the gold chains. Why the hair on his chest, it was as thick and as luxuriant as the schanuzer pelt.
And you, yourself, you were beautiful and young and lithe, and the flip in the front of your hair it was the envy of all of the other the girls in the typing pool at the insurance company where you worked.
You lived for the night! And the shoes you wore they were the Kork-Ease!
May 30th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Love and light to the Manolo as he deals with his family situation. Thanks, too, for not neglecting your loyal readership. May the Force be with you.
May 30th, 2008 at 11:13 am
These shoos crack me up. I had a pair when I was 12 - oh my I couldn’t even begin to picture my now 12 year old wearing these!!!! Yea Yea so I’m 4…..ish
May 30th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Great choice. I’m turning 40 this summer and have my eye on the Kork-Ease Ava in Melon Patent.
May 30th, 2008 at 11:56 am
A good one (post) Manolo. Very funny and witty! 8-)
May 30th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
I wasn’t allowed to have these (or any other platforms) as a child and was so envious of the other little girls who wore them to school with bell bottoms. Ok, I’m still envious.
May 30th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
I lived in my Kork-ease platforms! (When I wasn’t wearing Frye boots. Remember those?)
I bought myself a pair of Kork-ease platforms last summer but haven’t worn them yet. I guess I’m afraid that I’ll break my neck. But I’m inspired to go put them on right now!
Good luck with the family matters.
May 30th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
All beautiful thoughts and wishes for the Manolo and family…Muah!
May 31st, 2008 at 8:39 am
Actually, I believe the correct spelling is “groove thang“
May 31st, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Oh, good lord. I had a couple of pairs of those in junior high and high school. Gah! I feel so old when I see them now!
June 1st, 2008 at 11:15 am
And now you have the pleasure of watching your children dance in your platforms, mocking your best years with their own interpretation of the hustle.
And as you smile at them, watching while they shake their thang, you take comfort in realizing that they look foolish in their attempts to do the hustle, and no one can boogie down like you once did.
June 1st, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Ay, ay, ay. The Annalucia remembers those 70s platforms. Not that she ever wore them (she was insufficiently adventurous) - she merely remembers them, not fondly.
And she hopes the family emergency of the Manolo is one that can be resolved soon and will have no lingering, unpleasant after-effects.
June 1st, 2008 at 5:08 pm
I loved these in grade seven, with my maxi denim-wrap skirt and a sailor-striped t-shirt(!). . . Here’s hoping that the Manolo’s emergency becomes resolved in the happiest way possible.
June 1st, 2008 at 6:27 pm
OMG!!! I wore those shoes in high school in the 70’s with my wide bell bottom pants.
June 2nd, 2008 at 9:11 am
Hope everthing’s okay, Manolo.
June 2nd, 2008 at 10:30 am
I love how they’re bringing vintage styles back. There is no fashion I love more than that from the 70’s!
June 2nd, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Once again the Manolo brings the power of the fable.
Being on the cusp of the middle, but refusing to admit it as long as Mick, Keith, Tom Petty, Rod Stewart, Prince, and Madge still tour, mine happen to have copper metallic straps. (All the better to go with a fluorescent summer pedicure.)
Blessings to the Manolo in the time of the family emergency. Sending good wishes. Use the Force - it is strong with you.
June 6th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
We wore them with high waisted bell bottoms or denim maxi skirts. And for the finishing touch, rainbow striped toe knee socks!