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

Dear Manolo,

I just purchased a Max Azria jersey knit wrap dress to wear during an upcoming trip to Ireland. It has ¾ length sleeves and is black with a green and white print. My question is, can I wear this dress with knee high boots during the early spring?

Leslie

Manolo says, Max Azria and Ireland! Truly, this is the combination the Manolo has never considered.

But then, the Manolo’s mental image of Ireland is firmly planted in the distant and picturesque past of red-headed peoples in tweed who carry the shillelaghs in one hand and the pints of Guinness in the other.

Of the course, the new Ireland is the dynamic and modern place where digitally-savvy immigrants from foreign lands mingle with the natives in the fancy gastro-pubs serving nouvelle Irish cuisine, like corned-kobe and bok choy.

Even Irish fashion has begun to make its mark, with designers like Pauric Sweeny, Margaret O’Leary, and the shoe designer Eileen Shields, whose main store is in the Old City part of Dublin, and is well worth the visit.

Natrually, you will need the boots to outfit you before your Irish shopping expedition, and so the Manolo recommends the Connie from Bruno Magli. It is simple, elegant, beautiful and eminently wearable.