Manolo’s Shoe Blog

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

Dear Manolo,

My boyfriend and I are going to Italy in March and I’m incredibly excited. I’ll want to look as good as possible while sightseeing, because 1) I’m in Italy! And 2) I don’t want to look like a tourist, and be easy pickings for the thieves. I’m going for dark colored trousers, a khaki trench, and some nice accessories. Of course, I’ll need good looking shoes that I can wear all day. Please help.

Marie

Manolo says, Ayyyy! To be going to Italy during the spring time, when the air is fresh, the flowers are blooming, and when the footpads, cutpurses, and pickpockets of Rome greet the new season with hopeful enthusiasm, because the tourist, one of nature’s wonders, has returned to his seasonal grazing grounds, bringing with him the bounty of cameras, loose cash, and unsecured personal belongings.

Of the course, as any competent thief knows, it is almost impossible for any tourist to look like the native without first buying the local wardrobe, getting the local haircut, and adopting the local hand gestures, however distasteful they may be.

The best solution thus is to buy the new shoes in Italy, but until you do so, try these Cole Haan Penny Air Loafers in the pinot noir color. Not Italian, but omfortable and stylish, nonetheless.

Manolo asked, whose shoes?

Manolo answers, it is the Dame Diana Rigg!

Congratulations to the Manolo’s fabulous longtime internet friend Rondi, who was the first to comment and the first to correctly identify this personage of fame.

Manolo asks, whose shoes?

Manolo says, ayyyyy! The Manolo has been busy this week planing his holiday-time escape to the beach in Uruguay, while others have been busier blogging away. For the example, this week, indefatigable Spirit Fingers has put together the puzzler that challenges us to identify the celebrities who are “channeling Marilyn Monroe“.

Manolo says, perhaps you have not heard, but the latest winner of the Miss England crown has been told she is “too fat” for the modeling career. Naturally, our friend Miss Plumcake has the few words about this.

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

Dear Manolo,

I’m going to a graduate school holiday potluck with my boyfriend. I have never been to the school and I am not sure what to wear. My style is pretty conservative. What do you recommend?

Sandra

Manolo says, Ayyy! Merry Nonspecific Period of Non-Oppressive Festivities to all!

Let the Tofurkey and Macrobiotic, Bargain-Priced Sprouts flow like organic wine!

And now, let the Manolo stipulate that if the phrase “graduate school potluck” does not strike dread into your heart, you are not the feeling person. The very words alone conjure up the sort of lugubrious hilarity and culinary achievement one associates with Moldovan politburo lunches, sans the lubricating effects of vodka.

It is the little known fact that graduate students are among the most miserable peoples in the world.

Yes, the first year begins in high spirits, but then gradually, inch by inch, the lonely misanthropic gloom settles in, brought on by the low pay, the low status, the low self-esteem, and above all the low muffled beating of the unfinished dissertation, which, like the tell-tale heart, lies insistently beneath the floorboards of the mind.

Of the course, no reason you, the non-grad student, should not be cheery. Here is the Laugh from Franco Sarto, the perfectly partylicious affordable black ankle bootie.

Manolo asked, whose shoes?

Manolo answers, it is the Sienna Miller!

Congratulations to the Manolo’s internet friend, Jelodi97, who knew the answer immediately.

Manolo asks, whose shoes?

Manolos says, it is time for the fabulous Due Farina Holiday Sample Sale!!!

If you are in New York over the next two days, it would certainly be worth your time to visit this event, as the Due Farina ladies are both talented shoe designers and very nice.