Comments on: Non-Fan Mail for the Manolo

By: Priscilla

Priscilla — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 12:50:13 +0000

I have come across your blog I was to buy a pair of boots and thought: “why does he not publishes videos?”
Pictures is for losers like us, have no money no ideas, well may be 1 or 2 ideas we have:
for example I’d love to see those boots tik&tak ing on someone we all know I am sure the loser’s one make a complete different lousing sound.

By: Danie

Danie — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 19:15:53 +0000

Princess-
If you live where there is a bootery or saddle shop, they are leather experts. They work on boots far more expensive than almost any fashion shoe, and can re-sole or re-heel, as well as fix stitching, buckles, etc. I use a leather cleaner/protectant with beeswax and natural oils in it, not a soap, shoes don’t get that dirty (I hope)! They also put a new hole (for free!) in my expensive wide leather belt when I wanted to wear it up higher. I love my local boot shop!

If you are investing in a pair of expensive shoes and would like to get a lot of mileage from them, avoid suede and (especially) patent leather. A good shoe polish kit will restore the finish to regular split-leather, but a damaged patent finish is irreversible. Suede gets dirty and can’t be polished or be easily cleaned. Now you’ve inspired me to get out my kit & go to work!

By: Princess Daisy

Princess Daisy — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 18:30:36 +0000

Perhaps this is a good opportunity to ask the Manolo (and the wise commentors of the Manolo) a question . . .

I have taken to heart the Manolo’s wisdom of eschewing the poorly-made, poorly-fitting shoes, and have recently begun dreaming of the Stuart Weitzmans (since the Stuart Weitzman, or at least the minions of the Stuart Weitzman, spare a thought for those of us with the wide feet). However, I tremble at the thought of paying $250 or more for a pair of the nicely-made, well-fitting shoes and then somehow destroying them through my shoe ignorance. How does one care for the shoes so that they last for the years and years? Reheeling? How often? Leather soap? Looking outside and saying, “It’s raining, so I will forego the wearing of the Stuart Weitzmans and dig up the dying Naturalizers?” I would love to follow the example of the diva360, but am uncertain and need guidance.

By: Nabushi

Nabushi — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 16:28:16 +0000

If I may paraphrase …

Whatever biotch. He is the Manolo, and your letter, it is ridiculous.

By: desertwind

desertwind — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 10:42:33 +0000

Aw, what a sourpuss.

By: furlagirl

furlagirl — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 10:24:10 +0000

If you ask Philip Roth to recommend a good book don’t complain if he suggests Saul Bellow instead of Dan Brown.

By: diva360

diva360 — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 06:44:26 +0000

Six years ago I spent $200 on a classic pair of chocolate brown riding boots with two-inch stack heels (made in Italy). Last spring, the soles were getting a little thin, so I spent $40 to get new half-soles installed and to get the leather refurbished. They now look almost like new, and will probably last another six years. That means that by then, they will have cost $20 a year, and they look great with a variety of outfits, both pants and skirts. To me, that is the definition of value. Quality lasts.

By: pinkmirage

pinkmirage — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 00:07:24 +0000

I agree in that you can’t really find quality leather boots that go up to the knee for less than $100. At least not in my neck of the woods.

Also does anybody seriously read Manolo’s column for cheap shoes? I rather doubt it. There’s other blogs which address the fashion-for-cheap or knockoffs question….

By: Never teh Bride

Never teh Bride — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 21:02:54 +0000

So true, so true, aimlessjoys. A good foot deserves a great sock. And fabulous shoes, of course. But I do love a great sock.

By: aimlessjoys

aimlessjoys — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 13:12:17 +0000

So very sorry to double post, but I should have mentioned that with the La Crosse rubber boots, I could not live without my extra thick & scrumptious cashmere socks that make life seem like a dream. Now those are the dogwalking heaven!
And worth every cent.