Comments on: Manolo the Columnist http://shoeblogs.com/2007/12/14/manolo-the-columnist-110/ Manolo Loves the Shoes! Sun, 06 Jul 2008 22:12:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: EZ http://shoeblogs.com/2007/12/14/manolo-the-columnist-110/#comment-565546 EZ Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:38:22 +0000 http://shoeblogs.com/2007/12/14/manolo-the-columnist-110/#comment-565546 I take the middle road on the discussion - I have always agreed that the quality should trump the price and that is why when in college and struggling to pay the rent AND buy groceries that I, along with the poor but fashionable lads of London, wore Doc Martens. But, I also agree that a girl in middle school will probably not be wearing any boots for very long so an investment in pricey boots now would be fiscally irresponsible. I just received these: http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/30657668/c/72.html from Zappos last night - they are the xmas gift for my girlfriend and I was quite pleased to be able to do a price match using Amazon to get them at ~$80 less than the list price. Why do I mention this? Because this morning I received the email from Endless.com (service is not up to Zappos high standard) telling me of the fabulous sale. Here is the link: http://www.endless.com/b/sale/ref=topnav_sale_b?ie=UTF8&onsale=1&type=sale Hoping that my girlfriend's soon-to-be-xmas-present might be listed even cheaper, thus saving me more money for my own shoes, I clicked on over to Endless.com and... Ayyyyy! The middle school girl can have her quality at a good price! There are substantial savings on many shoes and boots today so hurry on over to Endless.com! (But, after a very bad experience with them, I would use their prices to price-match with Zappos wherever possible) Sadly my GF's new boots are not among the deals listed. Ah well... I take the middle road on the discussion - I have always agreed that the quality should trump the price and that is why when in college and struggling to pay the rent AND buy groceries that I, along with the poor but fashionable lads of London, wore Doc Martens. But, I also agree that a girl in middle school will probably not be wearing any boots for very long so an investment in pricey boots now would be fiscally irresponsible.

I just received these: http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/30657668/c/72.html from Zappos last night - they are the xmas gift for my girlfriend and I was quite pleased to be able to do a price match using Amazon to get them at ~$80 less than the list price.

Why do I mention this? Because this morning I received the email from Endless.com (service is not up to Zappos high standard) telling me of the fabulous sale. Here is the link:
http://www.endless.com/b/sale/ref=topnav_sale_b?ie=UTF8&onsale=1&type=sale

Hoping that my girlfriend’s soon-to-be-xmas-present might be listed even cheaper, thus saving me more money for my own shoes, I clicked on over to Endless.com and…

Ayyyyy!

The middle school girl can have her quality at a good price! There are substantial savings on many shoes and boots today so hurry on over to Endless.com! (But, after a very bad experience with them, I would use their prices to price-match with Zappos wherever possible)

Sadly my GF’s new boots are not among the deals listed. Ah well…

]]> By: Natasha http://shoeblogs.com/2007/12/14/manolo-the-columnist-110/#comment-565519 Natasha Mon, 17 Dec 2007 19:52:50 +0000 http://shoeblogs.com/2007/12/14/manolo-the-columnist-110/#comment-565519 I remember my first pair of knee high boots. It was before knee high boots were available everywhere. I was 15 and saved every penny from babysitting to be able to afford the $110 leather knee high boots from Aldo at my local mall. My mom was so impressed by my drive that she chipped in the last $30 I needed. Imagine my shock when the rest of my 9th grade class did not immediately recognize how super fantastic these boots were. I had the last laugh though- by graduation I would guess about 50% of the girls at my high school owned knee high boots. I remember my first pair of knee high boots. It was before knee high boots were available everywhere. I was 15 and saved every penny from babysitting to be able to afford the $110 leather knee high boots from Aldo at my local mall. My mom was so impressed by my drive that she chipped in the last $30 I needed. Imagine my shock when the rest of my 9th grade class did not immediately recognize how super fantastic these boots were. I had the last laugh though- by graduation I would guess about 50% of the girls at my high school owned knee high boots.

]]> By: Grace http://shoeblogs.com/2007/12/14/manolo-the-columnist-110/#comment-565496 Grace Sun, 16 Dec 2007 16:16:27 +0000 http://shoeblogs.com/2007/12/14/manolo-the-columnist-110/#comment-565496 I would second the suggestion to check sites like Amazon and Zappos for deals - depending on what size shoe she needs, she may be able to get a fabulous boot at a fabulous discount. Amazon just recently had some John Fluevog boots at 25% of the regular price, and I'm sure similar discounts arise for other brands. What I have seen with Amazon (not so much with Zappos) is that when they get down to the last of their stock, they discount the product deeply to get it out of the warehouse. It's never too early to learn that you should buy the best quality shoe you can - using an arbitrary price range often costs you more in the long run. As for the price limit, when she outgrows the boots, if they are still in good shape, she may be able to eBay them and recoup some of the expense of the shoes, or take them to a consignment store. I would second the suggestion to check sites like Amazon and Zappos for deals - depending on what size shoe she needs, she may be able to get a fabulous boot at a fabulous discount. Amazon just recently had some John Fluevog boots at 25% of the regular price, and I’m sure similar discounts arise for other brands. What I have seen with Amazon (not so much with Zappos) is that when they get down to the last of their stock, they discount the product deeply to get it out of the warehouse. It’s never too early to learn that you should buy the best quality shoe you can - using an arbitrary price range often costs you more in the long run.

As for the price limit, when she outgrows the boots, if they are still in good shape, she may be able to eBay them and recoup some of the expense of the shoes, or take them to a consignment store.

]]> By: Vizia http://shoeblogs.com/2007/12/14/manolo-the-columnist-110/#comment-565495 Vizia Sun, 16 Dec 2007 16:08:11 +0000 http://shoeblogs.com/2007/12/14/manolo-the-columnist-110/#comment-565495 I often shop at Ross, TJ Maxx and Marshall's, and find some truly super-fantastic shoes and boots in these places. I don't know if Sophie has access to such stores, but over the years I have made several amazing finds, particularly at Ross. In the last year I have picked up 3 pairs of wonderful Rockport low-heeled-and-extremely-comfortable boots there--one ankle boot in cognac ($19.99), one knee high in dark brown ($19.99), and one knee high suede and leather shearling-lined in russet ($29.99). (Not only am I a total shoe fanatic, I took up motorcycle riding last November, thus the over-kill on brown Rockport boots!). I also got a great pair of flat heeled black leather Nine West dress boots for $19.99. Over the years I've scored a pair of black suede Ralph Lauren ankle tie evening shoes, numerous Nine West sandals, Ann Marino evening shoes, lots of Franco Sarto, the poor girl's friend (at an even greater discount!), Etienne Aigner, fabulous Hush-Puppy walking shoes, Elie Tahari pumps, Avia and New Balance tennies, etc. I rarely pay more the $20 for a pair, and never more than $40. You have to be willing to root around and make multiple trips, but for a shoe-aholic it's heaven! I often shop at Ross, TJ Maxx and Marshall’s, and find some truly super-fantastic shoes and boots in these places. I don’t know if Sophie has access to such stores, but over the years I have made several amazing finds, particularly at Ross. In the last year I have picked up 3 pairs of wonderful Rockport low-heeled-and-extremely-comfortable boots there–one ankle boot in cognac ($19.99), one knee high in dark brown ($19.99), and one knee high suede and leather shearling-lined in russet ($29.99). (Not only am I a total shoe fanatic, I took up motorcycle riding last November, thus the over-kill on brown Rockport boots!). I also got a great pair of flat heeled black leather Nine West dress boots for $19.99.

Over the years I’ve scored a pair of black suede Ralph Lauren ankle tie evening shoes, numerous Nine West sandals, Ann Marino evening shoes, lots of Franco Sarto, the poor girl’s friend (at an even greater discount!), Etienne Aigner, fabulous Hush-Puppy walking shoes, Elie Tahari pumps, Avia and New Balance tennies, etc. I rarely pay more the $20 for a pair, and never more than $40. You have to be willing to root around and make multiple trips, but for a shoe-aholic it’s heaven!

]]> By: Fred the Fourth http://shoeblogs.com/2007/12/14/manolo-the-columnist-110/#comment-565489 Fred the Fourth Sun, 16 Dec 2007 05:59:24 +0000 http://shoeblogs.com/2007/12/14/manolo-the-columnist-110/#comment-565489 Many years ago, while in a store specializing in Halloween-type costumes, mostly second-hand, I found a pair of high-quality western riding boots, that fit me, for $5 (five). I wore them happily for years until they disintegrated. Don't limit your shopping options. Many years ago, while in a store specializing in Halloween-type costumes, mostly second-hand, I found a pair of high-quality western riding boots, that fit me, for $5 (five). I wore them happily for years until they disintegrated.
Don’t limit your shopping options.

]]> By: perrier-chick http://shoeblogs.com/2007/12/14/manolo-the-columnist-110/#comment-565487 perrier-chick Sun, 16 Dec 2007 04:49:42 +0000 http://shoeblogs.com/2007/12/14/manolo-the-columnist-110/#comment-565487 Ah yes, I remember when I was a 13-year-old...such a fun time. Where I'm from 13-year-olds wear boots like these http://www.ninewest.com/n/browse/product.s?productId=2882272&source=category&index=0&prodIndex=0&listSize=3&categoryId=1039&codeName=TRAVELR They fit the budget, and are flat, but unfortunately only come in black, green, and light tan. Happy holidays to all. Ah yes, I remember when I was a 13-year-old…such a fun time. Where I’m from 13-year-olds wear boots like these http://www.ninewest.com/n/browse/product.s?productId=2882272&source=category&index=0&prodIndex=0&listSize=3&categoryId=1039&codeName=TRAVELR They fit the budget, and are flat, but unfortunately only come in black, green, and light tan. Happy holidays to all.

]]> By: Nariya http://shoeblogs.com/2007/12/14/manolo-the-columnist-110/#comment-565474 Nariya Sat, 15 Dec 2007 14:23:16 +0000 http://shoeblogs.com/2007/12/14/manolo-the-columnist-110/#comment-565474 It's true that the average 13-year-old girl can't spend a hundred bucks on one pair of boots that she may outgrow in a year. However, in defense of the Manolo, I will say that it has never been the Manolo's job or wont to suggest inexpensive shoes. He will never offer up anything that is of less than great quality in his opinion, and if that means more expensive shoes, then so be it. That being said, it's great that the commenters add more suggestions to the column to help in the search for bargains. Personally, I'm glad the Manolo himself doesn't concentrate on the price when he searches. Less practical? Yes. More fun? I think so! It’s true that the average 13-year-old girl can’t spend a hundred bucks on one pair of boots that she may outgrow in a year. However, in defense of the Manolo, I will say that it has never been the Manolo’s job or wont to suggest inexpensive shoes. He will never offer up anything that is of less than great quality in his opinion, and if that means more expensive shoes, then so be it.

That being said, it’s great that the commenters add more suggestions to the column to help in the search for bargains. Personally, I’m glad the Manolo himself doesn’t concentrate on the price when he searches. Less practical? Yes. More fun? I think so!

]]> By: anon http://shoeblogs.com/2007/12/14/manolo-the-columnist-110/#comment-565468 anon Sat, 15 Dec 2007 09:00:57 +0000 http://shoeblogs.com/2007/12/14/manolo-the-columnist-110/#comment-565468 Try vintage stores, indie boutiques, ebay, Filene's Basement, Loehmann's, Barneys Co-op...there are so many places to buy great shoes at low prices! I found a new pair of Italian boots by J Peterman the other day for $37. Trust me, the bargains are out there. Try vintage stores, indie boutiques, ebay, Filene’s Basement, Loehmann’s, Barneys Co-op…there are so many places to buy great shoes at low prices! I found a new pair of Italian boots by J Peterman the other day for $37. Trust me, the bargains are out there.

]]> By: common sense http://shoeblogs.com/2007/12/14/manolo-the-columnist-110/#comment-565465 common sense Sat, 15 Dec 2007 06:53:44 +0000 http://shoeblogs.com/2007/12/14/manolo-the-columnist-110/#comment-565465 Telling a junior high school student to spend out of her budget to get a pair of boots is irresponsible (along the lines of recommending Due Farina as a good place to get shoes - a place that, incidentally, I've found dishonest and slow to follow through on promised "discounts"). What about instead giving her tips on when and where to look for shoes on sale? At that age, nothing or very little of what she buys should be considered an "investment," and instead she should focus on having fun, defining her style and NOT developing poor monetary habit. Telling a junior high school student to spend out of her budget to get a pair of boots is irresponsible (along the lines of recommending Due Farina as a good place to get shoes - a place that, incidentally, I’ve found dishonest and slow to follow through on promised “discounts”). What about instead giving her tips on when and where to look for shoes on sale? At that age, nothing or very little of what she buys should be considered an “investment,” and instead she should focus on having fun, defining her style and NOT developing poor monetary habit.

]]> By: Kirsten http://shoeblogs.com/2007/12/14/manolo-the-columnist-110/#comment-565462 Kirsten Sat, 15 Dec 2007 05:28:11 +0000 http://shoeblogs.com/2007/12/14/manolo-the-columnist-110/#comment-565462 Dr. Scholl's Discover is a nice flat boot in three neutral suede colors. Overstock has them for $49.99! http://www.overstock.com/Clothing/Dr.-Scholls-Discover-Womens-Flat-Boots/2888535/product.html?AK=1 Dear Sophie would have at least $10 left over to spend at the mall! Dr. Scholl’s Discover is a nice flat boot in three neutral suede colors. Overstock has them for $49.99! http://www.overstock.com/Clothing/Dr.-Scholls-Discover-Womens-Flat-Boots/2888535/product.html?AK=1 Dear Sophie would have at least $10 left over to spend at the mall!

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