JUN
2012
27

Five Regency Gowns

Manolo says, the Manolo, who has just this past week joined the Pinterest, has been thoroughly enjoying himself, acting like the curious, acquisitive crow, gathering up various things that catch his eye, and nothing has been more catching of the eye, than the photos of the historical clothing.

Here, then, are five photos of Regency gowns (all dating from 1810 to 1820, and in various museums and collections around the world) that the Manolo has gathered together and now wishes to show you.

Empire Waisted, Regency GownEmpire Waisted, Regency GownEmpire Waisted, Regency GownEmpire Waisted, Regency GownEmpire Waisted, Regency Gown

Such marvelous fun!

The yellow gowns went in and out of fashion throughout the period, and the Manolo remembers the passage from Susan Edmonstone Ferrier’s 1818 novel, Marriage, in which one of the most wonderfully awful characters, Mrs May Gawffaw, wears the yellow silk gown.

Mrs Gawffaw was the daughter of a trader in some manufacturing town, who had lived in opulence and died insolvent. During his life, his daughter had eloped with Bob Gawffaw, then a gay lieutenant in a marching regiment, who had been briefly esteemed a very lucky fellow in getting the pretty Miss Croaker, with the prospect of ten thousand pounds. None thought more highly of her husband’s good fortune than the lady herself; and though her fortune never was realised, she gave herself all the airs of having been the making of his. At this time, Mr Gawffaw was a reduced lieutenant, living upon a small paternal property, which he pretended to farm; but the habits of military life, joined to a naturally social disposition, were rather inimical to the pursuits of agriculture, and most of his time was spent in loitering about the village of G____, where he generally contrived to either pick up a guest or procure a dinner.

Mrs Gawffaw despised her husband–had weak nerves and headaches–was above managing her house–read novels–dyed ribands–and altered her gowns according to every pattern she could see or hear of.

Such were Mr and Mrs Gawffaw; one of many ill-assorted couples in this world–joined, not matched. A sensible man would have curbed her folly and peevishness: a good-tempered woman would have made his home comfortable, and rendered him more domestic.

[…]

May’s reply consisted in putting her hands to her head, with an air of inexpressible vexation; and finding all her endeavours to be elegant frustrated by the overpowering vulgarity of her husband, she remained silent during the remainder of the repast; solacing herself with complacent glances at her yellow silk gown, and adjusting the gold chains and necklaces that adorned her bosom.

Such brilliant writing! The Manolo had almost forgotten about the very funny and perceptive Susan Ferrier, the writer whose world will thankfully never be invaded by zombies and sea-monsters.

JUN
2012
27
JUN
2012
27
JUN
2012
27

Vincenza from Abel Muñoz

Vincenza from Abel Muñoz

Manolo says, from the Manolo’s friend Abel Muñoz’s Fall-Winter 2012 collection comes this most super fantastic flat, the Vincenza! There is something sweet about this elegantly simple, tasteful flat, something that speaks to our desire to be both sophisticated and innocent, as if such the thing were even possible.

Whose Shoes Wednesday

Manolo asks, whose shoes?

JUN
2012
26

Manolo’s Late Night Bargain: Earthkeepers Chukka from Timberland

Timberland Earthkeepers Chukka Boots

Manolo says, it is no secret that the Manolo is the fan of the Earthkeepers from Timberland for the casual man wear, and so when he saw that this pair of chukka boots was selling at nearly 60% off, he could not but recommend them to his internet friends.

JUN
2012
26

Les Chaussures

Manolo says, is there nothing they cannot do?

JUN
2012
26
JUN
2012
26

Cesare Paciotti for the Tuesday

Cesare Paciotti 152110B Platform Sandal

Manolo says, here is something to brighten your day, the ridiculously colorful platform sandal from the Cesare Paciotti.

This is the sort of shoe that the Manolo sometimes thinks of as being the “Mediterranean Strutting Shoe”, by which he means that not only would you would have to have the darker, Mediterranean skin to carry them off, but you could also only manage them if you were prepared to walk as if you were strutting along the corniche, heading back to your private yacht.

But, what is the problem?

It is summer, are you not already tanning yourself to bronzed perfection? And, on the advice of the Manolo, should you not always strut your stuff?

JUN
2012
26

John Travolta’s Hairpiece Wishes You Good Morning

N.B. Manolo says, the special guest poster today is John Travolta’s Hairpiece.

Feel the passion.

Forget about that gabagul kiss with Kelly last night at the Savages premiere and take a peep at me, the real star of the show…

John Travoltas hair, luxurious, like a sable pelt.

Damn, I look good on that man’s head. Go-od. Luxurious, like a freaking sable pelt, know what I’m saying?

Course, I should look good. I ain’t some cheap rug, you know. It’s $8000 for a hair system like me, but Johnny, he spares no expense, goes first class all the way.

Yeah, okay, old Johnny’s having a bit of a rough spot now. I ain’t gonna go into it, being as me and Johnny, we go way back, but you know what I’m talking about.

But fuggedaboutit, Johnny’s a fighter, he’ll get through this, specially since I’m there with him.

What’s that you saying, Johnny don’t need me? He can do it on his own? .

Lemme tell you something. Lest you forget, I’m what made Johnny Travolta what he is…

John Travolta, au naturale

Bada-Boom! Yeah, feel the love now, biotch. Vinny Barbarino, bald.

Imagine that chrome dome in some close-up clinch with Jessica Biel or Scarlet Johanssen.

Nah, it ain’t happening. Johnny needs me if he’s gonna remain a viable leading man.

Hey, it’s been fun. I gotta run now. I’m having lunch with Billy Bob’s hairpiece at the Grill in the Alley. Real hillbilly, but a standup guy, know what I mean? Makes me laugh.

JUN
2012
25

Manolo’s Late Night Bargain: Briller from Pour La Victoire

Briller from Pour La Victoire, NudeBriller from Pour La Victoire, Silver

Manolo says, here is the stunning, stiletto-heeled cage sandal, the Briller from Pour La Victoire, that would perfectly offset your little dress of blackness, for that fancy evening out on the town. Mira! It is deeply on the sale, 70% off of the regular price, selling for less than $50!

JUN
2012
25