MAY
2011 05

That Hit the Spot

These Marc by Marc Jacobs Spotted Canvas and Patent Leather Wedges caught my eye the other day while looking for some playful summer wedges.

I think these flirtatious little numbers would look fantastic paired with a bright skirt on a breezy Summer day (I see a popsicle or perhaps lemonade involved), not to mention the Navy, Brown and White color combination is one of my personal favorite hue mash up’s (I’ve been watching too much Glee). Perhaps it’s just me, but I seem to have a rather strong affinity for things of a “spotted” nature. The Spotted Pig is one of my favorite lunch spots in the West Village, it doesn’t get much cuter than a baby spotted seal, and Eric Stoltz is a total babe (freckles).

Just another pair of wedges added to my endless list of Summer-must-haves…

MAR
2011 16

Celebrity, Marc Jacobs, Shoes

Emma Watson Enjoys a Touch of Nude

Hermione Granger has officially graduated from Hogwarts, and her first order of business as a new master of magic was to do away with pants! Though I have to admit, if I had lusciously long getaway sticks like hers I would also show them off at the drop of a sorting hat.

As a fan of lengthy locks, I don’t know how I feel about her new do, however in these photos taken from her Paris Lancome shoot she looks androgynously chic. I think this outfit works. Her adorable white lace shorts, shirt, tie, blazer and black hat culminate in a look that is flirty, sexy and age appropriate. I also love the simplicity of the nude court shoes. It brings us right into Spring and Summer. Not to mention they remind me of these classic Marc by Marc Jacob court shoes that I have been drooling over.

“Pomp and Circumstance” is ringing in my ears. Emma has truly moved on to the bigger and better. As for the hair, I’ll let it slide. Just ask Justin Bieber…you can’t argue with the success of that cut.

DEC
2010 14

Clothing, Marc Jacobs, Shoes

Shoes for the Non-Retro Girl Wearing the Retro Dress

Manolo says, one of the Manolo internet friends has asked the Manolo the question.

Dear Manolo,

I have been in a bit of a style rut as of late. My style is not unfashionable, but it is very…safe. Good-fitting jeans. Nice sweaters. Simple dresses in the summer, like a wrap dress or a ruched-waist sheath — nothing objectionable, but I have really not been setting the world on fire. So, I have decided to branch out a bit by dipping my toe into retro waters.
Lisa Beverly Blue Dress from Heartbreaker Fashion

Visiting a friend’s shop over the weekend, I tried on this dress, from Heartbreaker Fashion, just for kicks ‘n’ giggles. Well, when I came out of the dressing room, my husband (who normally pays very little attention to my sartorial choices), sat up straight, smiled and said, “Okay, you’re getting that dress. You’re getting that dress, right? I think you should get that dress.”

Well, being no dummy, I bought the dress.

Only now, I have no idea what do do with it. I’ve never worn anything like this before. I know that the dress is on the mild side of retro, but I don’t want to tip it over too far into “costume”. My friend who owns the shop would wear it with a considerable amount of irony and all of her tattoos on display. Not being decoratively inked, I want to add SOME edge to the dress so that I don’t look like a Donna Reed wannabe. So, what shoes do you think would work with this retro dress while still keeping my overall look in the here and now? (Please note that the blue is about 2 shades darker than it appears in the photo.)

Besos,

Krista

The Manolo loves the spunky retro girls with their poodle skirts and sweaters, Rosie The Riveter attitudes and Hellish Angel Biker tattoos! Well, maybe not the tattoos so much, but otherwise, it makes the Manolo happy to see these young women with their Betty Page bangs, sitting with their young men, both dressed like the supernumeraries from the community theater production of Grease.

Such admirable willingness to buck the current world of blah!

Of the course, not everyone is cut out for the life of the 1950’s conformist non-conformity. Some peoples have jobs that do not involve motorcycle repair, freelance web-design, or car-hopping. Some people must work in the office cubicle farms where the savage rule of the corporate jungle applies, and superficial non-conformity is ruthlessly suppressed.

And so, if one wishes to adopt the article of retro clothing one must sometimes take pains to make it not too costumey.

Thus the Manolo would recommend…

This D & G peep-toe pump as being simple, feminine, and interesting, but not overwhelmingly so.

If, however, the Manolo’s friend is intent on being more edgy…

This is the Betsey Johnson Iris, the D’Orsay pump with the flowery decoration that lifts the shoe beyond the Donna Reedish ordinary.

DEC
2010 13

Books, Handbags, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors

Manolo’s Super Fantastic Gifts for the Ladies

Manolo says, please allow the Manolo to recommend the few appropriately super fantastic gifts for the womenfolk…

Last week, when the Manolo recommended the super fantastic gifts for the men, he suggested that the Amazon Kindle electronic reading machine, would be the most appropriate gift for gentleman. Subsequently, many of the Manolo’s lady friends said that this thing was something they also truly wanted to find under the tree.

So, if you are the gentleman who wishes to impress the lady of your acquaintance, present her with the Kindle filled with the collected works of Ludwig Wittgenstein and Danielle Steele.

This large Chloé leather bag not only has the good clean lines for the large bag, making it suitable for the classy lady of style, and yet it is also hip enough to satisfy even the most demanding downtown girl.

Here is the Marc by Marc Jacobs Foret Chain Continental Clutch, the perfect little something-something to go with your lady friend’s little black dressy-dress.

Everyone loves to get the cashmere, it is the fabric of love! Here is the Michael Kors Cashmere Cardigan that is simple, elegant, and somewhat reasonably priced, as such things go.

The perfume from CB I Hate Perfume, the shop of Chris Brosius the most original, uncompromising, and iconoclastic of the scent designers. The Manolo is particularly fond of Memory of Kindness, described as “The shining green scent of tomato vines growing in the fresh earth of a country garden”.

Chocolate! Fancy Chocolate from zChocolat delivered in the four-drawer mahogany box that will become lasting memory of the successfully delicious Christmas gift.

AUG
2010 31

Flats, Marc Jacobs

Glitter Brogues from Marc Jacobs

Manolo says, there is only one proper response to shoes this fabulous…

Hand the Manolo down his walking cane…

“So much rhythm, grace and debonair from one man…”

AUG
2010 05

Donald J. Pliner, Marc Jacobs, Pumps/Court Shoes, Shoes, Stuart Weitzman

The Red Shoes

Manolo says, one of the Manolo’s internet friends has asked him the question.

I am in a quandary re. red shoes. I can find amazing evening ones, but not respectable daytime ones. I know red is hardly respectable, but it seems to give a nice jolt to a day outfit, if only one can find the right pair. Any thoughts or suggestions? Or should I just stick with red evening shoes? Thank you!

Dana

Since the Manolo does not know whether these hypothetical shoes of the daytime jolt are to be worn casually or professionally, the Manolo will make the three suggestions to cover the range of possibilities.

This is Petra from Donald J. Pliner, the wonderfully tomato red casual loafer of reputed comfort that would undoubtedly look good at the bottom of your legs, which could be wearing either the pants, the shorts, or the sporty skirt.

If the red shoes of the Pliner are too sportif, and not enough joltif, then perhaps these flame colored patent leather wedges, the Lacross from the Stuart Weitzman, would be more to your liking. Not only are they sufficiently attention gathering, but they are also on the sale, reduced more than $130 of American dollars.

Finally, if your intentions are to perhaps stun your officemates into the state of heightened alertness, the Manolo would recommend these peep-toe pumps from the Marc by Marc Jacobs (also currently on the sale) as being suitable for wearing to the place of employment.

Of the course, as everyone knows, red shoes have the complicated history of dangerousness. They have long been the symbol of excessive vanity and frivolity, and yet, they are also irresistible to those of us who have eyes to see.

(more…)

FEB
2010 17

Flats, Giuseppe Zanotti, Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs, Sandals, Shoes

Ankle Strappy Flat Sandals For the Spring

Manolo says, ankle strap flats, they are in the style this season!

Flat Ankle-Strap Sandals from Marc by Marc Jacobs Very charming, yes?

The Illia from Kate Spade. Sort of semi-gladiator-ish, but not really.

Thong Flat Ankle Strap Sandals from Giuseppe Zanotti. This one is the favorites of the Manolo, as the color is perfect for virtually any of your outfits, and is something you could wear until the very start of fall.

NOV
2008 04

Marc Jacobs, Shoes, Taryn Rose

Three Cheers for the Red, White, and Blue!!!

Manolo says, it is Election Day, and all super fantastic American peoples must now go and do their civic duty with regard to the red, white and blue.

Here in the spirit of gentle patriotism, the Manolo gives you the American designers for this most American of days: Red from Sigerson Morrison, White from Taryn Rose, and Blue from Marc Jacobs.

JAN
2008 31

Marc Jacobs, Pumps/Court Shoes, Shoes, Stuart Weitzman, Trends

Shoe Trends 2008, Part 3

Manolo says, above you see the handsome dark navy and cream, mary jane pump from the Marc by Marc Jacobs.

And yes, the Manolo has already announced that 2008 will be the “Year of Color“, but as is so often the case, there is the counter trend to the main trend, running in opposition. So, for the example, the vertiginous platform heels of the last spring were countered by the Torey Burch ballet flats.

This year the counter trend to the colorful shoes are the shoes which combine white with black (or navy and cream, or other variations).

Here are the other example, the Stuart Weitzman peep-toe pumps.

Previously, Shoe Trends 2008, Part 1, Shoe Trends 2008, Part 2.

NOV
2007 16

Marc Jacobs, Pumps/Court Shoes, Shoes

Marc by Marc Jacobs, Pink Vinyl Pumps

Manolo says, the Manolo loves these pink vinyl see-through pumps from the Marc by Marc Jacobs. Rarely has the Manolo ever recommended the vinyl shoes, but these are so delightful.

They are like pieces of pink confectionery –Cinderella’s glass slipper in spun sugar– to be gobbled up joyfully as if one were still the little girl.

OCT
2007 12

Marc Jacobs, Pumps/Court Shoes

Manolo the Columnist

Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post.

Dear Manolo,

One of my husbands many cousins is getting married in October at a suburban synagogue. Afterward they’ll have a dinner reception at a hip downtown spot. I have found a knee-length shift dress with a Pucci-like print in fall colors (olive, deep orange, beige, and banded with black at the neck and hem). Please can you suggest something appropriate.

Dee

Manolo says, this wedding, it sounds like exactly the sort of celebration of which the Manolo approves: the traditional ceremony followed by dinner at the good restaurant.

Yes, the Manolo also enjoys the big $200,000 blowout, the sort which features liveried footmen delivering the bride and her monster gown in the silver sedan chair, while the prop husband stands there waiting, looking earnestly befuddled in his cutaway and ascot.

Still, the Manolo finds that in the midst of such Hollywood spectaculars he often longs for the sort of wedding that our grandparents knew, small affairs with the bride in the modest white dress and the groom in his best black suit, followed by the awkward celebratory dinner at the Italian restaurant in Hackensack.

Here is the respectable but fun black suede pump from Marc by Marc Jacobs, something perfect for the ceremony and the reception to follow.