Manolo the Columnist
Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post.
Dear Manolo,
I am a mom with active preschool and toddle-aged children, plus a babe in arms. I’m also building an at home business. My primary market is other moms, so I am often meeting potential customers while I’m out and about with the kids. I need to find a shoe that say pulled-together mom/successful business woman that can be worn to the park or zoo. Did I mention that I’m 5’4” and have wide feet?
Laura
Manolo says, it is lamentable, but the only truly suitable outfit for the mother of the young children is something similar to the toxic waste coveralls, cheap clothing that can be incinerated after being soaked in mucus, playground dirt, and partially-masticated arrowroot cookies.
Indeed, it is only with great effort that one can avoid the modern American version of the biohazard suit: the college sweatshirt and mommy jeans.
But, avoid it you must, for you are young and ambitious, and have plans for economic world domination, something that cannot be achieved while wearing such dowdy and dreary clothing.
As in many things, you should take as your model, the redoubtable Martha Stewart, who has perfected the entrepreneurial homemaking millionaire look: pressed and preppy, aggressively comfortable and no-nonsense.
Here is the Prari Cristina, the casually elegant, Italian wedge-heel loafer that would look perfect with jeans or khakis.
April 18th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Ah, Manolo, as a new mom I could not agree more! It is indeed more of a challenge now than ever to maintain the sartorial loveliness amidst the endless onslaught of baby-debris…and yet I think that it is more important than ever. In an case, it is the challenge that also makes the dressing more fun :)
April 18th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
As a fellow mommy in business, these are what I’ll be wearing to the park this morning:
http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/catalog/product.jsp?productId=151283&categoryId=306401&productGroup=151281 They are comfortable, and durable, and the baby spit up wipes off quite easily. It is my second pair of roughly the same shoe and I don’t know how I ever lived without them.
April 18th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Ummm, love the shoes, but suede doesn’t clean easily….
April 18th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Klee, I thought the same. But they also come in Black Nappa. Yow!
April 18th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Manolo,
On a side note: I’ve been having a heck of a time when I visit your site or some of the other sites. I think it has to do with the ads or the ad tracking but it keeps trying to download something which then gives me a Not Responding error and crashes my connection.
Any ideas why?
It bums me out because I want to read and comment but the error keeps happening.
Luv
Poochie
April 19th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Dearest Manolo, I too am having the problem but only with Teeny Manolo. My computer locks and I have to go to Task Manager to close it because it is using 75% or more of the memory! Can your web master/mistress see if there is a sickness with my dear Teeny????
Much of the love, Jennie
April 19th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
I was mistaken, dear Maestro, the Manolo for the Brides is also affected. I have no problems with the rest… I am not having any problems with any other sites, blogs, mails, etc… I do not want to lose my friends! Please see if there is a problem!!!!
Muah! Jennie
April 19th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
If I may be so bold as to suggest the easy spirit ‘hatley’ in beige leather. Perhaps not quite as impeccably chic as the prari, but at $69, could be a good alternative to the superfantastic moms on a budget
April 20th, 2008 at 11:25 am
In suede! Are you crazy? Definitely seek the more resilient leather.
April 20th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Dearest Manolo,
Impeccable selection as always. While I completely understand the apprehension of my fellow fashionistas, I must say that I agree. The prari would undoubtedly look exquisite with jeans or khakis.
However, at the risk of somewhat contradicting myself, I too am reluctant to go with a suede as it seems no matter how careful you are, you’re only a single faux pas away from ruining a beautiful loafer. I would opt for leather as well.
April 21st, 2008 at 11:32 am
Laura,
If I may add to Manolo’s timeless advice, might I suggest a great new brand of shoes that seems to have achieved the holy grail of Mom fashion: true comfort meshed with style. Sofft shoes has truly fashion forward looks that allow me to chase around my 3 year old and look fabulous doing it.
April 21st, 2008 at 2:57 pm
I also like these sportier but streamlined shoes for more casual moments. They don’t have that chunky running shoe vibe but are still good for running around
http://www.simplysoles.com/product/559
Luv
Poochie
April 22nd, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Dear Manolo,
Those shoes are Very lovely. However, Laura said she has wide feet. She would not be able to wear those shoes without great discomfort. (I also have wide feet and was looking forward to purchasing such a lovely pair of shoes, but then saw I could not.)
Are there any alternatives for those with wide feet? I do NOT want to wear Crocs.