Manolo’s Shoe Blog

Manolo says, Echo? This is the outfit you would never wish to repeat.

Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post

Dear Manolo,

I’m going to my Junior prom and I need help. I’m wearing a great little black dress, but since it’s knee-length I’m worried about not being considered dressed up enough. I don’t want to look like a princess or a sherbet, but I need shoes that add some color and style, and since I’m only in high school, price is sort of an issue.

Julieta

Manolo says, oh how the Manolo remembers his own high school prom; it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

On the one of the hands the Manolo used the occasion to dress up in his finest frock coat and striped trousers, complete with the spats, the top hat, and the fancy walking stick. He looked like the seventeen-year-old version of the Rich Uncle Pennybags from the Monopoly.

Yet, on the other of the hands, because no one had actually consented to go to the prom with the Manolo, he was forced to stand outside the gymnasium and make the snide remarks to himself about those who were entering.

Such is the manner by which the professional critic is made.

Look! Here from the Guess is the Felecity, the strappy high-heeled sandal in the bronze color that will enliven the Julieta Promgoer’s little black dress.

Manolo says, one of the Manolo’s internet friends has asked him the question.

Dear Manolo,

I need a superfantastic shoe to wear with this bridesmaid’s dress. Please Advise!!!! Though I am a poor grad student, money is no concern as I need something beautiful on my feet for this long day.

Thank you kindly,

Kat

Ayyyyy! The friend of the Kat must be the very secure bride indeed to allow her maids to wear such the hot dress as this.

As we all know, historically, the typical dress of the bridesmaid employed such undermining tactics as the over abundance of rump-enlargening ruffles, and the strategically misplaced, bust-minimizing wickety-wack, to make the attendants look faintly (if not explicity) ridiculous.

Naturally, the good friends endured this humiliation, safe in the knowledge that, someday, this bride would herself be wearing the ridiculous dress in someone else’s wedding. And thus the circle of fashion violence remained unbroken.

Now, however, the few brave brides are attempting to end this ancient practice by selecting the truly attractive dresses for their attendants. Such is the case here (although the Manolo is not overly fond of the kerchief hem on this dress).

As for the shoes, here are the pair of the red and gold D’Orsay sandals with the wrap-around ankle straps from the Enzo Angiolini that sell for under $100 of the American dollars. They are beautiful enough to make even the most secure bride jealous.

Manolo says, here are the few links that may perhaps amuse…

In the lead for women: patent leather and flat boots, with heels shaping up in an ’80s style.

I would hate to wake up in the middle of being dead and say, “Damn these shoes are tight!”

I have a confession to make… I’m fascinated by celebrity plastic surgery. and Part 2, Breasts.

Manolo says, the true fashion it is found on the border between the trashy and the classic, and here, straddling that border is the Jewel of the Nile luxury sneaker from the Kimora Lee Simmons and the Baby Phat.

Yes, with the colorful anaconda and the diamonds and the 14 karat gold trim it is over the top and almost ridiculous, but it is also excessively pretty.

Thanks to the Manolo’s internet friend Wayne!

Manolo asks, whose shoes?

Manolo answers, The Madonna!

This was far too easy, as virtually all of the Manolo’s internet friends identified this straight away. Next week, the Manolo promises the more difficult challenge.

Manolo says, here are the few links that may perhaps amuse…

No one knows a woman better than a man who understands her obsession with shoes.

Sounds more like punishment to me, at least for those of us who have our eyesight.

OH LAWD, you KNOW some big-footed SASQUATCH gonna step on one of these purty toes up in the club (From the Manolo’s internet friend the the Susanna)

Manolo says, while the Manolo was looking for the Mel Tormé videos he came across this antique advertising gem.

Do you think she has applied enough perfume to catch the man?

Manolo asks, whose shoes?