Comments on: Shoes for the Formal Wear http://manolomen.com/2005/12/16/shoes-for-the-formal-wear/ Just another WordPress weblog Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:21:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Leroy http://manolomen.com/2005/12/16/shoes-for-the-formal-wear/#comment-6087 Leroy Mon, 11 Sep 2006 10:48:35 +0000 http://manolomen.com/2005/12/16/shoes-for-the-formal-wear/#comment-6087 I would not comment that the opera pumps is sissified. It depends on the wearer’s character and body built as well. It wasn’t 200 years ago that men wearing these pumps look good. I have friends who has been able to carry these shoes very well with their overall attire and their character. They are more gentlemanly and speaks with precision and calmness. Their body structure are definitely not one that is mascular or plump but slim and athletic built. From all these criteria, watching my friends wear such pumps was not in anyway weird or feel that they are out of place. Rather it would be suited for certain types of men with the right characteristics to carry it with style without projecting any impressionof being feminine. I would not comment that the opera pumps is sissified. It depends on the wearer’s character and body built as well. It wasn’t 200 years ago that men wearing these pumps look good. I have friends who has been able to carry these shoes very well with their overall attire and their character. They are more gentlemanly and speaks with precision and calmness. Their body structure are definitely not one that is mascular or plump but slim and athletic built.

From all these criteria, watching my friends wear such pumps was not in anyway weird or feel that they are out of place. Rather it would be suited for certain types of men with the right characteristics to carry it with style without projecting any impressionof being feminine.

]]> By: Leroy http://manolomen.com/2005/12/16/shoes-for-the-formal-wear/#comment-6085 Leroy Mon, 11 Sep 2006 10:25:47 +0000 http://manolomen.com/2005/12/16/shoes-for-the-formal-wear/#comment-6085 I would not comment that the opera pumps is sissified. It depends on the wearer's character and body built as well. It wasn't 200 years ago that men wearing these pumps look good. I have friends who has been able to carry these shoes very well with their overall attire and their character. They are more gentlemanly and speaks with precision and calmness. Their body structure are definitely not one that is mascular or plump but slim and athletic built. From all these criteria, watching my friends wear such pumps was not in anyway weird or feel that they are out of place. Rather it would be suited for certain types of men with the right characteristics to carry it with style without projecting any impressionof being feminine. I would not comment that the opera pumps is sissified. It depends on the wearer’s character and body built as well. It wasn’t 200 years ago that men wearing these pumps look good. I have friends who has been able to carry these shoes very well with their overall attire and their character. They are more gentlemanly and speaks with precision and calmness. Their body structure are definitely not one that is mascular or plump but slim and athletic built.

From all these criteria, watching my friends wear such pumps was not in anyway weird or feel that they are out of place. Rather it would be suited for certain types of men with the right characteristics to carry it with style without projecting any impressionof being feminine.

]]> By: ron http://manolomen.com/2005/12/16/shoes-for-the-formal-wear/#comment-86 ron Fri, 24 Mar 2006 22:43:27 +0000 http://manolomen.com/2005/12/16/shoes-for-the-formal-wear/#comment-86 yuck. Too much pomp. Men's clothing, clothing in general, needs to convey an impression of the concept of the wearer, and the mind of the wearer. Mens clothing in particular needs to indicate strength, and movement. It is ideal if the man can convey a quiet dignity, which indicates patience, focus, and a willingness to ignore trivialities in favor of pursuit of a goal. Naturally, it's better to HAVE these qualities than present them, but it's better to do both. This shoe does convey strength (good quality) and movement (clean design, not too much nonsense to get tripped up on), but it also indicates that the wearer is arrogant. He is a struting peacock who would be quite happy if he could get away with wearing a multicolored tail of feathers. This shoe, to be fair, would fit in quite well 200 years ago during the age of Mozart, provided one is wearing a poofy wig and a powdered face. Perhaps a flintlock pistol would go well with this too. I have similar feelings towards most sneakers I see in footlocker these days. A shoe ought to be sleek, functional, clean lines and made of good quality. This indicates that the man is ready to achieve and move, whether to run through a forest or take on a rabid pack of lawyers in a boardroom. -ron yuck.

Too much pomp. Men’s clothing, clothing in general, needs to convey an impression of the concept of the wearer, and the mind of the wearer. Mens clothing in particular needs to indicate strength, and movement. It is ideal if the man can convey a quiet dignity, which indicates patience, focus, and a willingness to ignore trivialities in favor of pursuit of a goal. Naturally, it’s better to HAVE these qualities than present them, but it’s better to do both.

This shoe does convey strength (good quality) and movement (clean design, not too much nonsense to get tripped up on), but it also indicates that the wearer is arrogant. He is a struting peacock who would be quite happy if he could get away with wearing a multicolored tail of feathers. This shoe, to be fair, would fit in quite well 200 years ago during the age of Mozart, provided one is wearing a poofy wig and a powdered face. Perhaps a flintlock pistol would go well with this too.

I have similar feelings towards most sneakers I see in footlocker these days.

A shoe ought to be sleek, functional, clean lines and made of good quality. This indicates that the man is ready to achieve and move, whether to run through a forest or take on a rabid pack of lawyers in a boardroom.

-ron

]]> By: Marmot http://manolomen.com/2005/12/16/shoes-for-the-formal-wear/#comment-61 Marmot Wed, 08 Feb 2006 19:56:43 +0000 http://manolomen.com/2005/12/16/shoes-for-the-formal-wear/#comment-61 L.B.Evans sells opera pumps. Google them and you'll find that Nordstroms carries them, but you may also be able to deal directly with L.B.Evans. L.B.Evans sells opera pumps. Google them and you’ll find that Nordstroms carries them, but you may also be able to deal directly with L.B.Evans.

]]> By: judy http://manolomen.com/2005/12/16/shoes-for-the-formal-wear/#comment-60 judy Mon, 06 Feb 2006 02:59:49 +0000 http://manolomen.com/2005/12/16/shoes-for-the-formal-wear/#comment-60 Where does one purchase opera pumps? Where does one purchase opera pumps?

]]> By: Andy http://manolomen.com/2005/12/16/shoes-for-the-formal-wear/#comment-42 Andy Thu, 19 Jan 2006 08:42:55 +0000 http://manolomen.com/2005/12/16/shoes-for-the-formal-wear/#comment-42 My preferred formal shoes available in Australia are designed and produced independently by Vein. http://www.camarilla.com.au/?p=14 My preferred formal shoes available in Australia are designed and produced independently by Vein.

http://www.camarilla.com.au/?p=14

]]> By: Ryno http://manolomen.com/2005/12/16/shoes-for-the-formal-wear/#comment-31 Ryno Wed, 11 Jan 2006 01:27:06 +0000 http://manolomen.com/2005/12/16/shoes-for-the-formal-wear/#comment-31 My dress shoes are black leather and made by Caterpillar. I can stand all day in them, they are sturdy and have excellent traction, they are supple and flexible. Reading this column, and having been castigated by my tasseled-loafer wearing business partner, I see now that I am a fashion disaster. And here I was thinking that a new pair of indoor soccer shoes would be a sleek addition to my collection. Dang. Well, think of me as a public service to those who would like to feel fashionable by contrast if nothing else. Damn, I make people look good! To be even more helpful, I will list my favorite shoes so everybody can avoid them: Kelme indoor soccer in blue leather; Montrail Torre GTX in Gore-tex and leather; Montrail hikers (I forget the model, but incredible stability & traction; Timberland snowpack boots in Gore-tex, leather with 3/8" felt lining; Karhu cross-country/telemark boots. They are all terrific. On the flip side, the best dancing shoes I ever had were some very supple Dan Post boots. But they died. My dress shoes are black leather and made by Caterpillar. I can stand all day in them, they are sturdy and have excellent traction, they are supple and flexible. Reading this column, and having been castigated by my tasseled-loafer wearing business partner, I see now that I am a fashion disaster. And here I was thinking that a new pair of indoor soccer shoes would be a sleek addition to my collection. Dang. Well, think of me as a public service to those who would like to feel fashionable by contrast if nothing else. Damn, I make people look good!

To be even more helpful, I will list my favorite shoes so everybody can avoid them: Kelme indoor soccer in blue leather; Montrail Torre GTX in Gore-tex and leather; Montrail hikers (I forget the model, but incredible stability & traction; Timberland snowpack boots in Gore-tex, leather with 3/8″ felt lining; Karhu cross-country/telemark boots. They are all terrific.

On the flip side, the best dancing shoes I ever had were some very supple Dan Post boots. But they died.

]]> By: Jeff http://manolomen.com/2005/12/16/shoes-for-the-formal-wear/#comment-29 Jeff Wed, 11 Jan 2006 00:28:07 +0000 http://manolomen.com/2005/12/16/shoes-for-the-formal-wear/#comment-29 Happily, the Army (who's male members would never be caught dead in an Opera Pump) has a fine solution - the Corafram(sp) low quarter. It's not quite patent leather - it still has the ability to breathe some. Of course, if you are really good at spit-shining, you can always go with the standard low quarter and a bucket of Kiwi... Happily, the Army (who’s male members would never be caught dead in an Opera Pump) has a fine solution - the Corafram(sp) low quarter. It’s not quite patent leather - it still has the ability to breathe some.
Of course, if you are really good at spit-shining, you can always go with the standard low quarter and a bucket of Kiwi…

]]> By: triticale http://manolomen.com/2005/12/16/shoes-for-the-formal-wear/#comment-27 triticale Fri, 06 Jan 2006 04:15:04 +0000 http://manolomen.com/2005/12/16/shoes-for-the-formal-wear/#comment-27 The tuxedo, when introduced, was casual wear and not formal enough for the best occasions. The tuxedo, when introduced, was casual wear and not formal enough for the best occasions.

]]> By: markt http://manolomen.com/2005/12/16/shoes-for-the-formal-wear/#comment-24 markt Wed, 28 Dec 2005 14:13:48 +0000 http://manolomen.com/2005/12/16/shoes-for-the-formal-wear/#comment-24 The other day I heard what I think is a more likely derivation of the term "pump" for these shoes. Early in her reign, Queen Victoria was making a visit to Bath. She and Albert were impressed with the shoes (slippers, really) worn by the attendants at that spa. They decided all their staff should be re-shod in these things -- so quiet and elegant! In short order, this "Pump Room" footwear was de rigeur at court for all (gentlemen, that is). Like the later Tuxedo, pumps apparently took their name from the place in which they were "discovered." btw, if we're tallying votes, I vote for the pump. Masculine doesn't have to mean coarse or heavy. The other day I heard what I think is a more likely derivation of the term “pump” for these shoes. Early in her reign, Queen Victoria was making a visit to Bath. She and Albert were impressed with the shoes (slippers, really) worn by the attendants at that spa. They decided all their staff should be re-shod in these things — so quiet and elegant! In short order, this “Pump Room” footwear was de rigeur at court for all (gentlemen, that is). Like the later Tuxedo, pumps apparently took their name from the place in which they were “discovered.”

btw, if we’re tallying votes, I vote for the pump. Masculine doesn’t have to mean coarse or heavy.

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