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

Dear Manolo,

Like many folks I’ll be going to Washington, D.C. next week for the historic inauguration of Barack Obama, I’ve even managed to get invited to a couple of the balls. I’ve picked out a suitable gown—a midnight blue satin gown and heirloom brooch that belonged to my grandmother. What do you suggest in the way of shoes?

Terri

Manolo says, Ayyyy! Everyone who is anyone (of the non-Republican persuasion) is getting dressed up in their finery and heading to Washington of the D.C. to dance the celebratory dance of the new presidency!

Of the course, while the common peoples will be dancing in the streets and their homes, the more fortunate, and better-connected persons, will be attending one or more of the fancy balls.

In such places, one may mingle with the shakers and the movers and the big wheels, and with the doddering senators and the rascally representatives, all done up in their gala suits, and three sheets to the breeze intoxicated on domestic champagne, hotel ballroom surf-and-turf, and elective power.

All of this so that you may catch the briefest semi-obstructed glimpse of the new president and his wife dancing during those three minutes when he visited your particular ball.

Look, here is Stuart Weitzman Riccimid in the black peau de soie with exactly the correct amount of classical decoration.