Manolo's Shoe Blog

AUG
2012 24

Manolo the Columnist: Nolan from Franco Sarto

Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post. Dear Manolo, Next week, I’m going back to college to finish my degree. Sixteen years ago, before I quit school and started working, I never had any doubt about what to wear, or how to comport myself. Now, I’m in my mid-thirties and lost. What should I wear during my first week to make a good impression? Please keep in mind that I’m just a poor (returning) college student. Stacy Manolo says, from what the Manolo can see, the modern college students generally dress like…

JUL
2010 30

Manolo the Columnist: Now from Franco Sarto

Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post. Dear Manolo, I love all the fabulous shoes you recommend, but as you know, things are tough out there, and I’m just a poor working girl. Could you suggest some office shoes that would look great for the fall, but not cost me an arm and a leg? Layne Manolo says, although it is true that one should always buy the super fantastic shoes of the best and highest quality, in the current recession of economic disastrousness, the monies for such beautiful shoes may not…

APR
2010 07

Vernal Shoes For the Poor Girl

Manolo says, one of the Manolo’s internet friends has asked the Manolo the question. Dear Manolo, I love to look at the expensive sandals on your site, but I’m just a working girl and shoes like that are way, way, WAY out of my price range. It would take me months to save up enough to buy those shoes, as much as I would be thrilled to wear them. So, what must I do? Can you find me some nice spring sandals for under $150? Your internet friend forever, Brianne Yes, it is true, the Manolo loves to show you…

DEC
2008 05

Manolo the Columnist

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…

OCT
2008 31

Manolo The Columist

Manolo says, here is the Manolo latest column for the Express of the Washington Post. Dear Manolo, I am a young artist working in Seattle, and my company has instituted, horror of horrors, a new dress code! I have a pair of black wedges that I love, but I need some adorable (and affordable!) close-toed shoes to go with my new chocolate brown pants and skirts. Please help. Sharon Manolo says, the Manolo is glad to hear that some companies are attempting to reinstitute professional standards of dress. Things have gotten bad, very bad , so that to judge by…

SEP
2008 18

Franco Sarto for the Poor Girl

Manolo says, lately the Manolo has been receiving many letter like this one from his internet friends. Dear Manolo, I love your blog, but I’ve been disturbed to see that you’ve not been making many shoe recommendations lately for us poor girls. Please help me find something that is worth wearing this fall that I can afford. Jeanine It is always the best policy to save ones monies and buy the truly super fantastic shoes, shoes of great quality and style which will give you both pride of ownership and many seasons of wearing pleasure. But, as always, the Manolo…

MAY
2008 23

Manolo the Columnist

Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post. Dear Manolo, In two weeks, I am to graduate high school. Can you please suggest a fun and inexpensive shoe for the boring yet significant graduation ceremony? Jessica Manolo says, ayyyy! Congratulations to the Manolo’s young friend on her academic accomplishments and the impending transformation into the quasi-adult state that immediately follows this event. One day you are worrying about your calculus final, and the next you are worrying about your summer job as the camp counselor, where you will invariably meet the hunky older…

MAR
2008 20

Shoes for the “Soft Butch” Plant Person

Manolo says, one of the Manolo’s internet friends has asked him the question. Dear Manolo, I am a young plant ecologist. I generally trudge around the forest in hiking boots whose original appearance is well disguised by a thick layer of mud. But soon I’ll be presenting at several scientific meetings. I am, of course, terrifically nervous and very anxious to make a good impression on future colleagues. If I am particularly impressive, I may be paid for my work (a novel idea after being an undergraduate for so long). I am having quite a lot of trouble choosing a…

NOV
2007 06

Franco Sarto for the Poor Girl

Manolo says, lately the Manolo has been getting many letters such as this one. Dear Manolo, I love your blog, and the beautiful shoes you show on it, but most often they’re well beyond my poor working girl means. Could you please recommend some shoes that are affordable but still stylish? Much love, Kim. It is true, the Manolo most frequently chooses costly, perhaps even outrageous priced shoes, but this because the Manolo believes that quality and style and workmanship trump all other considerations. The best shoes are designed by geniuses, and manufactured by true craftsmen from the first-rate materials,…

APR
2007 20

Manolo the Columnist

Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post. Dear Manolo, I must soon sit for my oral examinations to determine if I will receive my masters degree and am permitted to begin my doctoral degree. So, as you can see, I need serious shoe help. Melissa Manolo says, It would have helped if the Melissa had mentioned her course of study, as the shoes one would use to impress the electrical engineers are very different from the shoes needed to sooth the professors of Marxist theology. Still, the clothing should be sober and…

MAR
2007 15

Spring Shoes for the Poor Girl

Manolo says, it is almost Spring, and as is usual the change of the seasons has brought the Manolo many emails from his poor girl internet friends asking the Manolo to help them find the affordable shoes. In such cases the Manolo always gives the same response, which is to tell the poor girl to save her moneys so that she might be able to purchase the truly super fantastic spring shoes. Do not forget that the beautiful and well-made shoes make the wearer stand taller, walk with more confidence, and enjoy life more fully. But, at the same time,…

MAR
2007 02

Manolo the Columnist

Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post. Dear Manolo, I’m a poor girl starting at the bottom of the corporate ladder, and I need something that is both cheerful and not terribly expensive to wear to work this spring. Laura Manolo says, ah the bottom of the corporate ladder. How the Manolo remembers those long ago days in his first job, starting on the lowest rung as the Second Assistant Shoeshine Boy in the shoe shop of the Mercurio Albornoz y Bahamonde. Yes, the pay was not much—the few fistfuls of pesetas…