Manolo the Columnist: Gale from Sam Edelman
Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post.
0Dear Manolo,
I love your shoe recommendations, but unfortunately, I’m just a poor working girl who struggles each month to get by. Can you recommend a pair of summery sandals for me that won’t cost and arm and a leg?
Christina
Manolo says, as always the Manolo recommends saving your monies and buying the high-quality super fantastic shoes, because nothing provides as much pleasure as wearing the beautiful, well-made shoes that fit properly and last the long time.
Still, at the same time, the Manolo knows what it is like to be poor, indeed so poor that you must fashion your own super fantastic summer sandals out of the moldy corks and castoff foil you have scavenged from behind that trendy wine bar next to the yoga pants store.
And so, because of this, the Manolo has much sympathy for the poor working girls that live in the 400-square-feets studio apartments where the oven of the two-burner stove must also serve as the dirty laundry hamper. (Remember the time you pre-heated your camisoles and that hunky fireman who showed up and laughed at you? Sadly, it not the good kind of “ho, ho, ho, you are so cute and ditzy” laughter, but the “ha, ha, ha, wait til I tell the guys at the station about this” jeering sort of laughter.)
Here is the Gale from Sam Edelman, the kicky thong sandal with the beaded accents that will be perfect for your summer wearing needs. And look, it is on the sale, less than $60!
Comments
klee 11 years ago
In addition to the Manolo’s super fantastic recommendation, there are a few tips and tricks to learn (many I learned on this few blog, from Manolo himself or the inimitable Plumcake):
*if you are patient and focused, ebay is a good place. It can be easy to get caught up in the frenzy of bidding, or bid on something that is not what you wanted, but patience does pay off: I scored a pair of snakeskin Manolo Blahniks at a fifth of their retail price.
*befriend a shoe salesperson. I apparently was the first sale for a young Saks employee, and she has since shown her appreciation by telling me about upcoming sales and even hid a pair of Stuart Weitzmans for a few days in the storeroom, so I could get them at the sale price.
*learn your shoes. I recently bought a pair of sandals at JCPenney, that were remarkably similar to Prada sandals I was drooling over. The workmanship was good-not perfect mind you, and yes, a pang of guilt came over me thinking of the probably-12-year-old who made them, but I too am poor (by American standards, at least) and these sandals looked expensive. Most of the stuff is junk, but a diamond occasionally shines amongst the trash.
*there is the outlet stores, but again, frequent checking and control required. Even there, much trash, but diligence pays off.
And when your discounted shoes pays off and you look the part of the manager material and finally get that raise you deserve, march yourself into the high-end store and treat yourself to those fabulous shoes that you dream about.
Nancy 11 years ago
Manolo, that is your BEST RESPONSE EVER! I especially love the contrast with the super-distressed sneakers.
Dawn 11 years ago
Dear Christina
If you can at all afford to do so, find yourself a pair of Pikolinos. The Manolo himself recommended them last year. I love mine. They fit wonderfully, wear like iron, and never go out of style.