Manolo for the Men Fashion and Lifestyle Advice for Men

August 8, 2007

What the Slush Fund Is For

Filed under: Men's Fashion,Shoes — Izzy @ 4:48 pm

Dark Brown Wing Tip Boot

Ever a sucker for off-season deals, Izzy just found these wing-tip boots on sale at Brooks Brothers. They’re ideal for those looking for dress boots that can be worn in foul, wet weather.

July 2, 2007

Putin on the Blitz

Filed under: Celebrity,Men's Fashion,Shirts,Shoes,Suits,Trousers — Izzy @ 9:54 pm

Putin flanked by Bushes

Vladimir Putin’s diplomatic jaunt to Kennebunkport, Maine, has made for some intriguing sartorial comparisons, of no doubt geostrategic importance.  Here, the Russian leader can be seen wearing a shirt with a very high, fashion-y collar accented by double button holes sewn with contrast stitching, in contrast to the more traditional shirts worn by the Presidents Bush (indeed, the elder’s shirt looks worn in).  Putin goes with a three-button suit with a stiff front, gauchely unbuttoned, while the American bookends both wear two-buttoned sport coats of a softer, more relaxed design, kept buttoned of course.

Putin's black shoes and brown suit

Could those be black shoes with a brown suit?  At least the Russian loves his doggies, too.

Bush and Putin gone fishin'

In white (linen?) jeans (which Izzy hears are the rage among fashionistas), Putin takes an unwise risk given the potential for guts and gore on a fishing trip.  But at least he maintains the dignity befitting a world leader.

 

June 26, 2007

Church’s and State

The Manolo has noted outgoing Prime Minister Tony Blair’s revelation that

he had worn the same pair of shoes to his weekly question-and-answer session in parliament since he became the country’s leader.

The shoes in question — an 18-year-old pair of hand-made leather Brogues that have only been re-soled once — were made by Church’s in Northampton, central England.

“I know it’s ridiculous, but I’ve worn them for every PMQs (Prime Minister’s Questions) … I’ve actually had them for 18 years,” Blair told The Times in an interview, adding that “cheap shoes are a false economy.”

As the wise adage has it: Women brag about their newest clothing purchase, men their oldest.

In constrast to Ralph Nader, who has worn the same pair of army boots for decades, Blair’s choice of footwear is beyond reproach, and certainly not evidence of an unhealthy asceticism (so common among self-proclaimed saviors). 

The Prime Minister has come along way sartorially since his Oxford days.

Tony Blair in boater

For the story behind this bowdlerized photograph, as well as the full original image, which is an incredible depiction of the aristocracy at play, go here.

 

June 22, 2007

Patently Proper

Filed under: Formal Wear,Men's Fashion,Shoes — Izzy @ 5:00 pm

Brooks Brothers patent lace-up shoes

When it comes to formal wear, the only truly acceptable shoes are opera pumps (for your inner Louis XIV) and patent leather lace-ups.  Made in England, the glossy pair above is now on sale at Brooks Brothers.

 

June 5, 2007

Accentuated Brogue

Filed under: Men's Fashion,Shoes — Izzy @ 5:55 pm

Charles Tyrwhitt Aldwych brogues

A pair of brogues can sometimes be dull and staid, but, thanks to its energetic lines, this pair from Charles Tyrwhitt breathes life into the classic style.

May 23, 2007

Sprezzatura Personified

Filed under: Grooming,Men's Fashion,Shirts,Shoes,Suits,Tailoring — Izzy @ 5:20 pm

sprezzatura on a bicycle

In his Book of the Courtier, Renaissance man Baldassare Castiglione coined the much-needed, and delightful, word “sprezzatura”:

It is an art which does not seem to be an art. One must avoid affectation and practice in all things a certain sprezzatura, disdain or carelessness, so as to conceal art, and make whatever is done or said appear to be without effort and almost without any thought about it … obvious effort is the antithesis of grace.  

It is, in sum, the art of making the difficult look easy.  Needless to say, it applies to one’s life just as much as one’s appearance.  But when applied to the latter, it counsels avoiding perfection, even if that means creating intentional flaws—though they must never be seen as such. 

Examine the Milanese gentleman above.  With his negligently unbuttoned shirt, floppy pocket square, rumpled linen jacket with its sleeves folded back—this, my friends, is sprezzatura on a bicycle.

 

 

May 14, 2007

All Feet on Deck

Filed under: Men's Fashion,Shoes — Izzy @ 7:00 am

Sperry Top-Sider

Finally giving in to a long-standing sea lust, Izzy is determined to become a real sailor this summer. The endeavor, of course, will require just the right shoes. After giving it much thought, Izzy has decided to outfit himself with these classic canvas Top-Siders from Sperry.

May 9, 2007

The Prep Step

Filed under: Men's Fashion,Shoes — Izzy @ 5:04 pm

J Crew spring madras flip-flopsJ Crew madras flip-flops

Perfect with seersucker trousers on the beach, these flip-flops from J. Crew are more fun than most.  Make sure to wear them when doing this heavy reading:
Tipsy in Madras: A complete guide to 80s preppy drinking, including *proper attire *cocktails for

April 17, 2007

Big Shoes to Fill

Filed under: Doings of the Manolo,Men's Fashion,Shoes,Trousers — Izzy @ 12:55 am

footwear of the Manolo

Believe it or not, dear readers, but these feet are those of none other than the Manolo himself! He says he is wearing

the size eleven Clydes by the Taryn Rose, the pair of double-buckle, monk-strap shoes of which the Manolo has been especially fond this last year or so.

Who knew the Manolo was so tall? And who would have guessed he was such a fan of the gabardine?

For those who wish to follow the maestro’s taste in footwear, Zappos offers a similar, if more outre style from the same cordwainer.

March 28, 2007

Tricksy

Filed under: Men's Fashion,Shoes — Izzy @ 11:52 am

Trickers with patina

This pair of brogues from Tricker’s of England has the most unusual patina Izzy has ever seen. Looking as if it were made of burled walnut, it reminds Izzy of Florentine leather that is crafted to look like wood.

March 8, 2007

The Anatomy of a Shoe

Filed under: Men's Fashion,Shoes — Izzy @ 10:49 pm

anatomy of a shoe

Izzy has never been able to recall all of the names for the parts of a shoe, but this handy diagram from Esquire, while not terribly clear, is still helpful. You can find a picture of an intact pair of the Allen-Edmonds McClaim wingtips here.

February 16, 2007

Footwear Fit for Da Vinci

Filed under: Men's Fashion,Shoes — Izzy @ 12:14 am

Hugo Boss suede boots

While Hugo Boss’ style generally evokes everything German and modern, something about these simple suede boots makes Izzy think fondly of the Italian Renaissance.

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