I'm a bit behind. Most of the Manolo's fans have come and gone (he linked to me yesterday), but I've been too busy to properly prepare this blog for their arrival.
I would like to thank the Manolo, however, and offer a small shoe round-up in his honor.
For 7 years I sold shoes for Pappagallo. Pappagallo is no longer around, but when it was, it was big. Pappagallo was the shoe for the genteel woman. It was a quality shoe available in many sizes and colors. Most Pappagallo shoes were made of Italian kidskin, which allowed for the brilliant colors and the shiny appearance. The closest style you will find to the Pappagallo shoe today is offered by Talbot's. The lasts (molds, if you will) are completely different, so the fit will not be the same. But if your feet (or feets) are easy to fit and you long for the days of Pappagallo, I give you Talbot's Summer of 2005 loafer.
Posted by Hello
posted by Jan at 8:46 PM
71 Comments:
My favorite pair of shoes of all time was a loafer made by Pappagallo. I wish they were still around. They were soft, comfortable, and lasted well!
I just bought a Nannette LaPore dress and jacket that looks just like something I wore in the late 60's/70's and my daughter said, "Hey, Mom. Your wedding shoes would look great with that!" Yes, I saved them. They were a pair of beige/off-white chunky heals made by Pappagallo and I loved them. And yes, they are perfect with the dress, just too beat up to actually wear. They reminded me how much I LOVED Pappagallo's and alas, how much I miss them. Why did they go out of business????
I was just thinking how I loved the pappagallo tasseled shoes in blue & green tassel or the pink and hot pink tassel and the others and how fantastic they felt! I would love to have several pairs now with a lovely Liberty of London dress that used to be made by Tanners of NC. That would be the most comfortable and great look for the summer - Does anyone else remember this?
As a Salem Academy girl, you could never have too many Pappagallos. I didn't know they were no longer available. Let's try to bring them back. I have a new handbag company and I'm considering adding shoe of this caliber to my line.Let me know if you think it's a good idea...
vprice@pursenalaties.com
I lived in black Pappagallo loafers which I wore with black Danskin tights..this was in the late fifties and early sixties in NYC. They were sold at Bergdorf's and Saks and were the only things (except a dress that I wore to my brother's wedding) that I ever bought at Bergdorf's...too rich for my blood!
OMG! I, too, sold Pappagallo Shoes (around 1974), and I was (and always will be) in LOVE with their ballet flats. Also, I had their wooden handled Bermuda bag with MANY covers and until recently wore their apron (the last one I had in good shape...) Ah, those were the days...
In 1968 I spent a summer in Washington, DC. There was a Pappagallo shop in Georgetown, where I went shopping every weekend. My favorite pair of shoes from that time were navy blue with bright green piping. They were low heeled sling-backs, and looked fantastic (and were comfortable, too, although my feet seemed never to hurt in those youthful days). I wore them with my John Meyer dresses which I bought at the summer sales at Garfinkels in Chevy Chase.
I was the best-dressed teacher in Savannah (Georgia) and ran into a former student this week who remembered my clothes and shoes!
The Sixties had the best clothes and the best music, ever.
Nancy in Savannah
I came to this site looking for these shoes from the old days as my daughter is going off to school this fall--we looked at Salem but she chose VES--and I am very sad that these shoes are no longer available. In my many years at Carolina (prof. student) my various girlfriends averaged about 25 pair each. Since my dad was in the ladies clothing business, I was very familiar with the brands of the day. His stores always sold Villager, Lady Bug, McMullen, and of course, Pappagalo. The fun part was that girls almost always bought a new pair of the tasseled flats to match the new clothes they bought. The look was classic and the girls looked MUCH better than they do today, but that's just sour grapes, I suppose. Another wonderful line that was sold at some 'traditional' men's shops was called Gorden-Ford. Do any of you ladies remember that brand or have any of that stashed away in you wardrobes? High quality, British-influenced wools and so forth that were very beautiful. To the lady thinking of adding the Pappagalo shoe to your business--DO IT! It will probably be difficult as no one deals in quality anything today--especially shoes. If they don't have rubber soles and cost a ton of money, no one under the age 40 will buy them from what I have seen. Please try to figure out how to bring some quality and style back to the business!
I agree the gal with the purse business should add a Pappagalo shoe line!!!!!! I miss them!!!!
I also came to this site looking for Pappagallo. I loved those shoes and they had small sizes. I wear a size 5 and they are so hard to find. I am so sorry that they are not in business anymore. There was a cute Pappagallo shop in downtown Roswell, GA that is now gone. (heavy sigh)
I first saw my wife on the second day of college in September 1967 on the campus of George Washington University. I was a sophomore. When she walked into the auditorium that first Wednesday in September, I noticed how well dressed she was - and immediately (and perhaps unfairly) pegged her as a freshman. She, as I learned later, was wearing a Villager outfit and black leather Pappagallo shoes. This was much classier than my worn blue jeans, polo shirt and sandals, which were de rigueur on campus. Of course, I had no idea before then that Villager or Pappagallo existed, having grown up in a family of four brothers and no sisters. But I did appreciate how well she looked in her blouse, skirt and shoes. As we became better acquainted, I learned she had an array of Pappagallo shoes in several colors. We are now approaching our 40th anniversary (after eloping 49 weeks after our first class together). I was searching the web seeking the correct spelling of Pappagallo for my comments at our anniversary dinner, which will include our large extended families. I found this site and thought you all must know the correct spelling! While Pappagallo shoes didn't bring us together, there's no doubt that they were an almost constant companion during our courtship!
Never posted to a blog in my life, but found you as I, too, looked for Pappagallo shoes. I am under 40 (barely but under) but had a pair of blue Pappagallo heels when I was very young. They must have been my first navy pumps, in fact. I was in high school. They were AMAZINGLY comfortable and I LOVED them and 20 years later still compare every pair of shoes that go on my feet to them. I have a narrow foot and in this age of obesity, it is getting increasingly difficult (it was never easy) to find narrow width shoes. Forget finding quality ones! Anyway, if you bring them back (or some quality item that is something like them) you'd make me a happy girl! Thanks for letting me know I'm not alone! There are Pappagallo stores in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, but evidently they aren't the same anymore. Alas . . . .
I don't have the power to bring back the Pappagallo, but my former boss does. She currently owns a shoe store in Highland Park Village in Dallas called E.61st. Her name is Marilynn Wohlstadter and she was the largest buyer of Pappagallo shoes just before they quit making them. If anyone knows Pappagallo, she does. And I'm guessing she still specializes in special widths. Tell her Jan sent you!
I, too, lived in Pappagallo's in high school and beyond. There was a shop in my hometown (Locust Valley, NY) and all our extra dollars went for those shoes --- especially the navy with green tassel and pale pink with hot pink! Then an outlet store opened near by and we all thought we had died and gone to heaven!!! I look for that style on Ebay but never see any. - Judi
I loved my Pappagallos. I had yellow, green, navy, black, orange, pink and red. I wore them everyday in Jr. High and High School. I remember Neimans used to sell them here in Dallas. I am going to contact this woman, Marilyn at E61st and see if she can get these again and perhaps sell them on the Internet! Thanks, Jan!
My favorite all time Papagallo shoes were a pair of women's oxfords, they had a wooden stack kitten heel that was PERFECTLY placed in the middle of the heel, you could walk ALL DAY in those bad boys, they looked KILLER with pants of any cut - with skirts or dresses, and they were VERY flattering to the feet. To get an idea what they looked like, watch the old Ginger Rogers-Fred Astaire movie, The Barkleys of Broadway, there's scene where they dance together and Ginger's whereing these really cool pants AND THOSE DANG SHOES! They are an EXACT replica of those shoes.
I'D (just about) KILL FOR ANOTHER PAIR. Other than a pair of Bass oxfords that wore nearly as well, I've never worn of owned a better wearing shoe since. The loss of pride in cobbling has been a loss to civilization.
My first husband moved me to a small city in upstate NY. Having a job interview the day after arriving with the moving van, I went downtown to pick up a pair of calfskin Papagallo pumps in a suitable coordinating color. No stores in that little city carried them. Shoulda read the red flag and scooped up my daughter to flee back to Chapel Hill. Alas I was too naive to recognise how crass a place it was.
Loved the Pappagallo flower flats! They went with everything from mini to maxi skirts. I was just having a memory of those shoes, as my 35th high school class reunion grows near. I had purple (my favorite ones), brown, baby blue, and some faux ones from Butler's Shoes in downtown Raleigh, NC.
please somebody bring back the tasseled ballerina flats...thet were really popular back in the 60's and would still sell today. Definitely a classic that could be a hit even today.
I was a '60s Boston U. student who fell in love with Pappagallos freshman year when a dorm mate from NY introduced them to me. There was a store on Newmark Street and I was there constantly.
BRING THEM BACK, I would buy the little tasseled loafer in every color!!
I went to this site looking for Pappagallo shoes-instead I got a mountain of smiles reading the comments about the shoes that I wore and loved and remember so well. The tasselled loafer that had to be matched to every outfit. I thought I was the only one left that remembered Liberty Lawn prints.
Maybe Papagallo will go back in business?
This site was so much fun to read. I wore Papagallos at my wedding in 1995, fourteen years ago Wednesday. I wanted to look good but knew I was going to be spending almost the entire day on my feet. It was the only shoe I trusted for the job.
I can't believe the company is not still around. When pumps return to the fashion scene, these shoes will be dyed. By then they'll probably be the only 2 1/2" heel my 50ish+ self will be able to handle.
Ladies, unite! We all have our own story on how Pappagallo shoes made us feel. I could not afford them till after some college but remember well the blue flats with the navy flats with a flower on the top of the toe, had some brown and tan one......oh, to go back to the days when shoes were designed to go with many outfits and the 'colors' of the day. Makes me sad.
I happened upon this site as I am in search of the perfect Pappagallo sandal: flat, white, the softest leather cut with a combo toe ring and band across the top of the foot. My mom broke them in years ago and they've been sitting in storage for 15 years. I can only hope they look decent if we ever uncover them!
All time favorite shoe was a light blue flat with cut out flower shapes on top, so your toes would show through a little. I felt like a princess. I saved all my money to buy them on sale.
Now that I can afford to buy as many pairs as I want, alas, they don't make them anymore.
If you bring them back I will be the first in line!
I just got a pair of Pappagallo's at Goodwill for $6! I'm in heaven!
Yes, yes, yes! I was at Carolina in the the '60's and I was surfing to see if I could find Pappagallos anywhere. Just cleaned my closet and had to throw away two pairs of ballet slippers. In 1966 I had a pair that I wore with two John Meyer sleeveless summer shifts. I felt so chic. And the Bass shoes were Weegens and don't forget the London Fog overcoats. Didn't those ballet slippers make us all feel a little like Audrey Hepburn?
So many memories (my husband claims I can reconstruct the image of every outfit I wore, occasion by occasion for all of my adulthood). All of the brands that were mentioned produced very wearable, attractive and well-made clothing and accessories that were affordable. We shopped local stores too - I know just where the Pappagallo shop was during my teens and college years, across from Lord + Taylor in Scarsdale, NY. And I bought my Weejuns in Bronxville at the Plaza shoe store - it's still there but you can't get the loafers any more.
I still wear my blue suede papagallos. I wore them to a high school picnic in Washington DC and I got lots of comments about my shoes from the girls. Growing up in bean town who didn't have them! We would all shop at the Filenes in the pappagallo department.
What a fun time, simple to! Ahh to look back.
J, Edmonton, Alberta CA:
I just pulled my Pappagallo out from my closet. I do not remember where I purchased mine, perhaps in Montreal, Canada or in NY. my shoes were made in Spain. This would mean that I have had them since 1970s. They are in perfect shape, still soft and fitting well after all these years. I just came to this site to see what became of the brand.
I grew up wearing Pappagallos in the late 60's and 70's. I loved the tasseled flats, the hot pink and kelly green combos, even the yellow ones worked. I wore white Pappagallos flats with the big kidskin flower on the front for my wedding in 1975. I haven't worn them since, but I pull them out every once in a while and long for the days when my only shoe-shopping challenge was what color Pappagallos to choose!!!
What I wouldn't give for my blue ballet flats with the leather flower on the front, it even had the little stamens like a real flower! I saved my babysitting money to get those along with the famous "popcorn" knit sweaters! Those were the days.
I loved my pappagallo ballet flats that came in an assortment of colors ranging from pale yellow, light pink, navy, black, kelly green and others that hsd two colors navy with green, pink with green and a bow on the top. They were the most comfortable soft leather I have ever felt. I had kilts which were popular in the late 60s and 70s. My favorite was a pink, cream, kelly green,and yellow plaid kilt. I would wear a beautiful cardigan which I would pair with one of the colors in the kilt and of course I would wear my kelly green or pink papppagallos to match . Villager, Ladybug, John Meyer, and Pandora were all that I wore. Pocket books were John Romaine or Aigner. Those were the days in junior high and high school in Wilmington, Delaware
I was just on the computer and searching around, when I just thought of Pappagallo shoes! And looked it up...and so sorry to hear they are no longer in business. For me, these were the very first shoes with a little hear that I owned,,,they were T-straps in black, and the leather was so very soft. I also had a light tan tie shoe which I wore non-stop...very good for dancing. I only wish I had kept them both. I am sure that they would fit as well as they did then. I'm glad that I found this website and that so many people felt as I did about those "wonderful" shoes.
I wore Pappagallo shoes in the late 60's when I first discovered them at a local Lilly shop on Long Island. I sold Villager clothing and these wonderful shoes. The only thing I have seen that comes close is Belgian Shoes in NYC. They have more of a loafer style but come in fabulous colors with contrast piping trim - and add soft and comfortable. They are expensive - in the $250 range - but if you have the money - you can get the look.
mo in San Francisco
My sister was murdered in 1996. I received her pappagallo flats. I absolutely loved these shoes. Unfortunantley, I took these shoes on a flight and the bag was lost. I was searching for a new pair only to learn the company is no longer in business. I'm so sad to have lost this part of my sister.
I too loved pappagallo flats. You could tell how much you had danced at the PAD in Ocean Drive by how much you wore down the soles of a new pair, bought to match an alpaca sweather and bermudas. I also remember another type shoe, a little less soft, but caramel colored with tassels. Not Weejuns, Bostonians or Capezio's but had a great leather sole for dancing. Always got mine at Montaldo's in Charlotte, N.C. I am all for selling pappagallos again. Never was there such a cute and comfortable shoe.
I feel like I just walked down memory lane. I can vividly remember buying my first pair of Pappagallo flats. I was a freshman in college in a small town that did not have a Pappagallo store. The owner of the Pappagallo store in a nearby large city would bring her inventory and set up shop in a local hotel a couple of times a year. I fell in love with a pair of red patent leather flats. It was love at first sight, and I was hooked. When I went home for the summer, I saved every dime from my summer job so that I would have "shoe money" that fall. The next time she came, I bought 6 pairs of Pappagallos! I have been a shoe fanatic every since, but have never had a shoe I loved as much as Pappagallos. I loved the leather, the fit, the comfort, the array of color, the styles - they were just perfect!
I can see there is much solidarity among former wearers of Pappagallo shoes! My favorite pair was red patent with little wooden stack heels. How cool they were!
I'd forgotten about Villager clothes. I bought what I could and loved them, but they were a little expensive.
I'll check out E.61st when I get back to my stomping grounds -- the Park Cities. Thanks to whoever mentioned this store. :)
I want my Pappagallos!!! So comfortable.... Someone needs to market a shoe like that in the United States again.
Ahhh! I too, sold Pappagallo shoes when I was at School in Boston during the late 60's/early 70's (does that date myself or what?).
Being an art major, I was given the creative business of making the preppy clip-on bows made of grow grain. When Brookie of Boston decided to leave to travel across country, she gave the business to me, under the direction of Robbie Schneiner, who ran the successful business with help from new father-in-law who owned US Rubber (anyone, correct me if I am wrong). Needless to say, all of my earnings (and I was one of the top sales' ladies) went back in buying Pappagallo's flats, heals, sandles and loafers -- all 43 pair of them!! I was broke but happy. Anyway, my parents were only too happy to get me out of Boston after graduation. So where is Pappagallo today? We need that shoe(s) back and I am all for help in resurrecting the shoe anyway possible. Let me know.
I loved my Pappagallo shoes! They were so comfortable. My favorite pair were green with pink tassels. I would love to see them resurrected! I will do anything to help.
This thread is amazing -- so many women who all feel the same way about a brand of shoes! I was telling my 15 year old daughter about Pappagallos the other day - she couldn't imagine having shoes in that many colors, but we sure had 'em. I remember one pair I wore on Easter with a Denise Are Here dress -- does anyone else remember that clothing line? This would have been in the late 60's/early 70's. The shoes were light pink with a pastel-striped grosgrain ribbon and bow. They were just beautiful and you really don't see shoes like that anymore. We bought most of ours at the Tweed Shop in Charlotte NC.
I, too miss my Pappagallos. I always felt confident and well dressed when I wore a pair, and buying a new pair was a big mood booster, better than even a new hairdo. I wish I still had my old ones, especially the brown suede low heeled sandals I loved. I still have one pair, darling little low cut black and mahogany tassel loafers. I wore them only yesterday and they look as stylish and stylish as ever.
Now that those of us who wore Pappagallos in the 60's are in our own 60's, wouldn't it be nice to have really stylish flats. Heels are too swiftly becoming problematic. The days of Villager skirt and sweater sets, Pappagallo shoes, Aigner bags, and a flip hairdo with a headband are over. We may have all looked alike, but weren't we cute!
I found a pair of Pappagallos on Etsy. Check them out!
http://www.savingvintagegrace.etsy.com...
I found some at Goodwill recently, too. They were brand new...a little too big for me, but I bought them anyway. How could I pass them up?
We had a Pappagallo store in Tyson's Corner, VA in the '70s. My best friend and I would go shopping there at lunch and just get happy from visiting the store. Loved the shoes with the flowers on them. Reading everyone's memories made me go searching today and found a pair of black pumps for $11that I just had to purchase on eBay. By the end of the week they will be MINE!! Back to true style.
The only good style left is Talbots. As we have matured so have our bodies and not all of us are as small as we once were. No matter how hard we have tried. So finding classic styles at reasonable pricing is as challenging as ever. Keep on saving for that next cherished look!
OMG!!! No more Papagallo's?
My friends and I grew up in Miami Beach where we lived for another pair of exquisite loafers in every color of the rainbow!
Every Saturday we looked forward to a bus ride to Lincoln Road Mall to admire our favorite shoes...and on special occasions our mother's gave us permission to buy a pair!
Of all the shoe designers today, why hasn't anyone re-created the IT shoes of the century!!!
I found a beautiful pair of green moc-crocs at GoodWill, they're on eBay now. In doing research for my ad (yes, I do that) I found your website and enoyed reading about Pappagallos and the fond memories that went with them.
Thank you all so much, it was like a walk down memory lane, from a shoe point of view!
I just found some Pappagallo pumps in paisley! I thought they look colorful and reto, but my husband just laughed. 7M...now in storage. Marcelita
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360359158458&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:1123
Check out this brand new, never worn heavenly Pappagallo flats in size 6.5/
Susan I also had them in every color and every style I have had more fun reading all your comments surely someone reading all of these can find someone with the correct contacts to bring these shoes back.I gaot mine at Tweed shop and Montaldo's here in Charlotte.
does anyone know if this 61st
street place has them?
I have been looking for a christmas present for my mum and been googling papagallo. My mum spent wonderful years in the States and then returned to Scotland with a suitcase full of Pappagallos which she just wore out. If I could buy her new ones I would! She talks about how they have been her favourite shoes of all time.....and if anyone can tell me where I might find some apart from on etsy or ebay, I'd be delighted to hear from you! I've loved reading all your posts and I can understand now why my mum has talked about her shoes for 40 years now with such fondness. I must show her them all, she will be right at home.
nice post love reading it
nice post love reading it
I just bought a pair at a second hand store yesterday. I never heard of this brand before but I knew right away they were good quality shoes. Then I try them on and confirm that I was right. They are super confortable and they are probably very old but look like new, actually they are barely. The amazing thing is the price, one dollar!!!!
I would love to find Pappagallos today When I was at Garland in Boston in the 1960's shopped the store on Newbury Street. Flats, heels I had them all. Alltime favorite was my navy flat with kelly grren trim and tassel. Went with my calbe sweaters from The Clothes Horse near school. Great times, great fashions, great shoes. I do miss them.
I am a Pappagallo lover also and am really sorry to hear that they are no longer made. The shoes today are ugly and very poor quality and very uncomfortable. I remember the Pappagallo shoe store in Georgetown in DC and skipped classes with my girlfriend to go there for shoes and to the Lady Bug shop across the street for Villager and John Meyer clothes. I have a friend that I dated in the early 70's and he still talks about taking me to Denver to buy Pappagallo shoes. They were truly memorable and I wish someone would bring them back!
I feel so fortunate to still have six wearable pairs of my Papagallo's! White flats with the flower from my wedding, along with the navy and the hot pink in the same style. I also have the navy/lime and pink/hot pink tassel loafers and the navy pumps. I still have them all in their original boxes. Although both Papagallo's stores here in Lexington, Kentucky went out of business years ago I had no idea that the brand no longer exists. I still have and wear two of my Villager corduroy skirts, one in light sage and the other is a white cord with pastel flowers. My mother always said that these brands were worth the money because they would last forever. Thanks to Woolite and saddle soap mine have lasted 30 years and are still going...but I would love to have even more of those Papagallo's shoes!
I'm looking for the soft leather Pappagallo ballet flat popular in the 60s and 70s. I have large feet (size 9 or 10 depending on the maker) and the small top outline of the shoe was very flattering and they were so comfortable. Has anyone seen them?
why doesn't someone make those adorable pappagallo aprons again?
I still have one,the style is so practical and noone seems to make that style. They would even monogram them
Some one please bring back the black patent tuxedo flat from the early 80's ,such a classic!
OMG, my mom just gave me a never worn Marine blue kitten heel, from the 80's size 9. Too small for me anyone interested?
Thank you for sharing your memories. They were the best shoes ever and you could never be sad wearing such beautiful shoes in such gorgeous colours. I came searching online hoping to find them. There's a new store opened this year but not the same line of clothes or shoes.
Wow you guys might be able to help me. I have just bought a gorgeous pair of Pappagallo shoes which are in a 1920's design but obviously later? Does anyone know when this company started?
Well this post is nice , But have any direct link of these shoes so that i can see easily ?
So glad to read your comment about the Pappagallo store across from Lord & Taylor in Scarsdale NY. There was a clothing store a few doors down that had exciting designer fashion at discount prices. Anyone remember the name of it?
Hello.. I'm Shirl and I'm looking for a 8M pair of vintage pappagallo flat shoes w/ flower on top any color from the 60's and 70's (shirl.robinson64@yahoo.com)
I can not find a single photo of my favorite pappagallo flat from 70-72 with leather bow.
I would love to bring kidskin flats like Pappagallo back however we live in a different world companies - Italian shoe s are no longer affordable to make materials are so expensive! Pappagallo she’s included. I I could find as comfortable stylish a she made of kidskin ZzI would be all in. I’m told Tory Burch makes kidskin flats but reviews say not a great fit and they have elastic band at the heel- very uncomfortable. In this economy no company would be able to afford materials to make them. The average person in 60’s and 70’s could afford to buy Pappagallo they were$13.00/pair. Even Tory ZBurch charges $240.00- $400.00 what are your thoughts?
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