Earlier in the week I did a report on the Milan Men’s Shows an noticed a burgeoning trend that I lovingly call the “Season of the Manzie”. Now, maybe I need to clarify here. A Man-zie is not like a Dandy, nor is it like a Pansy, hence the revised spelling. In my book, a Pansy doesn’t necessarily need to dress effeminately in order to be called a Pansy by a bunch of blokes. On the contrary. They just need to have a sisssing “S” in their speech or run with their arms flailing or become cheerleaders. A Dandy on the other hand (like my friend Patrick MacDonald, a man of impeccable style, and has been since we met in the 70’s at Studio 54) is someone who combines and maintains a look that embraces high-fashion and avant garde, which transcends the recent styling trend of “quirky man”. Does that clarify things? In essence, a Manzie is a straight man trying to be stylish or a “straight-acting gay guy” (the horrendous reverse closet syndrome currently flooding Chelsea) with limited taste, that thinks by acting butch, it will compensate for the bad “quirky man-hat” and other Manzie fashion choices. Are we clear?
In any event, the shows are now over and here are few additions to my round-up of the Spring ’10 Manzie Report. I can’t wait for the I MEAN…WHAT?!? coverage from New York Fashion Week.
Let me start by saying that I called it the other day and Gina Lollobrigida orange was on just about every single runway.
Quirky Man-Hats abound at Varvados. This means that we will be seeing them plenty next year, too. Fotz.
See? Gina Lollbridida rules the catwalk. And you are wearing this when and to where?
"Ladies and Gentlemen and Manzie's of all ages...step right up and get your Manzie suit here in quirky Manzie world."
Now wait just one minute. Yes, this is bad 80's...but it's women's bad 80's. Excuse me, this is a silk bow-tie blouse. Even a Manzie wouldn't be caught dead in this get up. And the pleated leather pants? This is Z Zenga, but I'd like to call it Z Cavaricci revisited. I mean...what?!?
Meanwhile, this is the only image of the Moncler by Thom Browne collection I could find. I saw the video...and there is tons of Manzie on that runway, but somehow, there is no other coverage, other than this one image on High Snobiety. But, you can run your imaginations wild...Thom Browne, rain slickers in plaids, knickers galore and petal pushers for days.
Sheer is not just for queers. This culotte short set complete with duster is the must-have look from Calvin Klein. They showed a few culottes. Yoo hoo...not happening! Skinny legs are never in vogue.
This over-sized, almost dolman sleeve, McQueen sweater dress is something my mother would have lived in. Now when I decide to start dressing like my mother, a hilarious woman with limited fashion sense, please, just shoot me.
Prada-lina. And if you wear the coat closed, you just might get arrested for indecent exposure, or bad hair.
Emporio Armani shows that the stay at home dad can morph into a stay at home mom...not that there's anything wrong with it. I know, taking care of the kids is a job. So if you want to dress like mommy...be my guest. And little Johnny here is a Manzie-in-training.
Technicolor Manzie from Calvin Klein.
Dr. Manzie, I presume.
Manzie and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat from Etro.
Manzie...Dreamcoat...Part Deux.
I can't figure it out for the life of me, who is going to wear a short set in this day and age? Remember when home-boys (not to be confused with homo-boys) were wearing those ridiculous inner-city short sets with Timberland boot or untied Nike high-tops? Who all thinks this look has any legs? Skinny or otherwise. Please...please...comment.
I don't hear you.
Oh, come now. If I see one soul in the streets in this Marni get up...I will just plotz (explode in Yiddish).
OK, what are your thoughts for the overll Spring ’10 Manzies.
ABE, YOU ARE BEING TOO KIND—–NOT YOUR OR MY USUAL BEND————-THIS HAS TO BE THE UGLIEST AND LEAST APPEALING SHIT I HAVE SEEN IN A LONG TIME. YEAH, BOY, WHAT WE REALLY NEED TO ENCOURAGE THE WORLD OF ALREADY CONFUSED MEN THAT CAN AFFORD TO BUY THESE CLOTHES IS TO RUN TO THE BACK OF YOUR CLOSET, BUT DON'T STAY THERE, JUST PULL OUT THOSE CLOTHES YOU ALMOST GAVE AWAY AND WEAR THEM WITH THE GREATEST OF EASE. YOU WILL LOOK BETTER THAN THIS RAINBOW OF NIGHTMARES. IN A BAD ECONOMY THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO ENTICE ANYONE TO GO SHOPPING. HAS INTERNATIONAL MALE TAKEN OVER THE ITALIAN MENSWEAR WORLD? I CAN BE FORGIVING OF THOSE DREADFUL GARMENTS BUT WHEN THE BIGGEST NAMES IN FASHION PARADE CIRQUE DE SOLEIL DOWN THE CATWALK AND CALL IT FASHION THE INDUSTRY IS FUCKED!
"International Male": So true!
my eyes hurt. i'm not the most fashion forward person, but good lord. even i can see a train wreck. wtf?
I've been a fashion writer for 28 years and just when I think I've seen the most ridiculous crap known to man, there's more and more and more.
Can't designers understand it's time for fashion, not entertainment or whatever that Oz-gone-bad stuff is.
The silk bow blouse would be butt ugly on anyone of any age of any sex. Period.
You keep it up now, udnretsand? Really good to know.
[…] Appeared July 12, 2009 Who’d have thunk that when I MEAN…WHAT?!? coined the phrase Manzie Report, and pointed out the horrendousness of some of the things that everyone’s favorite Manzie is […]