Don't know what a Manzie is? Take a gander.
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to bid a fond farewell to The Manzie*.
(*See below meaning of Manzie for those of you new comers.)
What was once a vibrant, hysterical fashion statement that captivated the runways of Milan and Paris—heck and New York for that matter—looks that left us speechless, or gagging anyway, have now gone to that great fashion graveyard beyond… Ebay. Who won’t miss those retarded styles by Thom Browne, or some of those collections from Rick Owens and Walter Van Beirendonck’s Big Bird ensembles from Spring ’10? And surely we can never forget that madcap John Galliano menswear before he went entirely koo-koo for Cocoa Puffs.
This was the look that set John Galliano off the deep end.
I speak with a heavy heart, albeit fondly, because of the endless joy and laughter that they brought forth. The Manzie. What can one say about a man who is willing to wear hysterically orange, or as I used to love calling it “Gina Lollobrigida Orange” head-to- toe ensembles, complete with quirky man hats? Or how about that desperate attempt from Z Zegna to revive the Z. Cavaricci pant… only shorter. Nothing my good friends. Nothing can be said except thank God The Manzie has found his final resting place, leaving behind a legacy of schmattas and bringing sexy back. The menswear collections being shown in Paris and Milan are proving my point. Real men are back in…and they don’t eat quiche.
Is this a Manzie or a lesbian?
Q. What is a Manzie?
A Manzie is not a Pansy or a Dandy. A Pansy doesn’t necessarily dress effeminately to be teased by a bunch of blokes. They can have a sisssing “S” in their speech, run with their arms flailing or cheerleaders. A Dandy dresses like a gentleman with a touch of avant-garde. A Manzie is desperately trying to be “on trend”. A Manzie can be a straight man trying too hard to be stylish or a straight-acting-gay-guy who acts extra butch to compensate for his quirky fashion choices.
John Paul Gaultier wanted to make men into Madonnas.
And Marni, good thing that your new store in the Meatpacking District will never stock these ensembles.
Ahh, to cold for that look for me with sparrow knee caps!
but, is the manzie truly dead? or is THE MAN keeping him down (and out of sight) til the economy gets better? Inquiring minds want to know!
Very interesting indeed. Well if that is the case then, we shall rejoice at the Resurrection.
we spoke too soon! CDG, Gaultier and Rick Owens still had some manziness (albeit restrained) going on all up in there, in their fall 2012 collections.
VERY UGLY INDEED, I PREFER THE CLASSICS IN COLORS