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

Dear Manolo,

I’m just about to turn the Big Five-O, 50 years old. I keep myself in good shape, and I think I still look great, but I am nonetheless somewhat depressed by passing the half-century mark, so I and need a pair of shoes to cheer me up. Can you recommend something youthful and sexy, but not inappropriate?

Carla

Manolo says, Fifty? Do not despair, for fifty is the new forty-seven-and-the-half!

Actually, thanks to the modern medicine, ubiquitous gym memberships, and the superior make-up technology, the women of today generally look much younger than did the ladies of the previous generations.

Indeed, the Manolo had just recently seen the 1971 Geritol advertisement, which showed the group of prematurely aged 46-year-old womens. Sadly, it was all grey hair, wrinkly faces, and bags under the eyes, as nearly all of the women looked at least the full decade older then their actual age.

But, then, what else could be expected if one grew into middle-age in the society that regarded liquid iron supplements and smoking cigarettes as sensible parts of any beauty regimen?

Of the course, it goes without the saying that in the forty years time, the future peoples will be mocking us for looking prematurely old, and following strange advice such as injecting botulism into our foreheads to eliminate the wrinkles

Here is the Case from the Kate Spade New York, the sexy but appropriate sandal to wear to wear to your birthday party.

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

Dear Manolo,

I will be traveling to a wedding in Rome at the beginning of October. This will be my first trip to Italy, and needless to say, my first experience at a Roman wedding. While the issues of dress and such are important, I have the feeling that my choice of footwear will be paramount. Can you help me with a fabulous, stylish shoe that will fit in appropriately for such an occasion? I will note, the wedding will not be taking place in a church.

Amy

Manolo says, how wonderful the Manolo’s friend is to be visiting Rome in the month of October. This is undoubtedly the most beautiful time to be in the Eternal City, and if one is lucky, everything, from the crystalline blue skies and the gentle warm sun, to the charming way your waiter winks at you as he takes your order, will conspire to make you fall in love with the city. Even, the ever-present possibility of sudden death by taxi will only add to the magic of Rome.

Of the course, if one is not lucky, your bags will be plundered at the airport by the corrupt officials, gypsies will steal your purse near the Coliseum, and the crazy Roman drivers will douse you repeatedly with muddy water left in puddles along the street by the unseasonable rain.

But, such are the chances one takes when one travels, no?

Here is the Tilly from Kate Spade New York, the molto elegante demi-d’Orsay pump that would go well with almost anything.

N.B. Our friend The Legatrix is back with advice about the summer-time party shoes.

‘Tis the season for outdoor parties, which invariably provokes harrowing shoe angst in me. I love the great outdoors. Really I do. They’re a lovely place to sprawl out with a good book and a Nalgene bottle full of mint juleps. But Mother Nature has a long-burning vendetta against me. Try as I may to be prepared for whatever gravel pits, mudslides, and rivers of lava she may throw in my path, I never seem to be wearing the right shoes.

This became painfully clear at a splendiferous wedding that I attended in the Hungarian countryside last month. Guests were treated to abundant wine, whole roast mammals, flitting cherubs, and gamboling fawns. The bride, ever attentive to her friends’ collective fabulosity, even had wooden walkways lain in the fields so people could walk comfortably from place to place. This worked marvelously until the walkways got wet and turned into a network of Slip n’ Slides.

By now I think you can see where this is going. . . two broken sandals and a solicitous Hungarian peasant boy later, I sorely lamented my choice of footwear.

The difficulty with picking shoes for outdoor events is that your footwear must be practical and adaptable to all sorts of terrain. That means no heels unless you’re out to aerate someone’s lawn. Bigger trouble still is that your footwear often winds up looking eminently functional. So here are a few shoe selections that are practical, adaptable and elegant. . . and even a couple with a little altitude built in.

Swoosie, by Kate Spade, will keep your feet firmly planted on terra firma with arch support often lacking in strappy little sandals. Plus, they’re adorned with little golden grape clusters.

And Oona, by Loeffler Randall, would be perfect with those white wide-legged trousers you have. You know, the ones that make your legs look a mile long. Those trousers.

Finally, Jean, by Stuart Weitzman, is the perfect combination of polished and relaxed elements. I usually get a little queasy at the sight of cork heels. But these are so pitch perfect that you don’t have to worry about looking like the sort of leather-textured woman who molests cabana boys with coconut oil.

Now go outside and play!

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

Dear Manolo,

Every Easter since I’ve been a little girl, I’ve gotten a new spring dress and a new pair of shoes. Can you help me pick out this year’s pair?

Daria

Manolo says, it is the spring, the Manolo’s most favoritest time of the year, when the weather turns clement, and the flowers are blooming, the bees are buzzing, and the birds are singing their sweet songs of birdly love.

And, for the Manolo, Easter is the highlight of the season, when the church-going peoples get dressed up in their finery and parade themselves joyously before God, like the King David dancing in front of the Ark of the Covenant.

Of the course, for the children, Easter is the holiday that teaches the very important life lessons.

In the morning they will fling themselves headfirst into the pile of candy that has been delivered in the night by giant magic rodent. Afterwards, filled to bursting with the sugar, they will be forced in to the formal clothing and made to sit still on the hard pews while the preacher and/or priest waxes poetic at great length.

Excessive Indulgence and fairy tales, followed by the lengthy period of enforced obedience and boredom, it is good training for college and the working life that follows.

Here is the Blush from Kate Spade, the open-toe slingback with the tiny mesh daisies that are fully expressive of the unbounded joys of the season.