Like formal manners, instruction in ‘what to wear, when’ has been abolished in favor of ‘doing one’s own thing.’ A laudable ideal; but it has had, as so many such things do, unintended consequences: at least two generations now have not learned how to dress themselves appropriately, and are forced, in their insecurity, to copy what they see in the media, or at the mall — or simply to guess. Which leads to such things as flip-flops at the White House, and is a painful situation for the participants as well as for the observers.

Such a foothold as the Manolo could provide would be delightful, and appreciated.

But the Manolo, should he be wanting these things, must have the Agent of the Manolo.

I have some experience with this finding of the agent and if the Manolo would like more to know he is having my address email.

I do have three words of advice for the woman wanting to wear black shoes with a navy suit: sheer nightshade hose. Nightshade does a wonderful job of transitioning the legs from the navy of the suit to the black of the shoes.

I think the world would benefit from your column’s syndication. There are hundreds of papers out there, so there’s a possibility of some nice cha-ching in it for you, too. I wish you the best of luck!