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

Dear Manolo,

I’m a small town girl with big time dreams, who has just been given the job of a lifetime. The next eight weeks will be super demanding and I’ll be in the limelight a lot. All of my friends say I have a sort “sexy librarian” vibe. What would you recommend to make me seem a little more sophisticated and polished?

Sarah

Manolo says, congratulations on your recent success, clearly you are the woman to be reckoned with!

It is always the same with the small town girls who make it big; on the one of the hands, you wish to give yourself the making over so as to seem more fashionable, while on the other of the hands you do not want to lose that refreshing American naturalness which others recognize as the heart of your charm.

In the other words, how to be more Catherine Deneuve without sinking your Molly Brown.

Naturally, the Manolo suggests starting with the shoes. You must shed those pedestrian, low quality shoes and move up market with something truly super fantastic.

Look, here is the Karolina in black patent from Kate Spade, both super fantastic and all American!

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

Dear Manolo,

Now that July is over, I’ve begun to think about more autumnal shoes. I’m especially eager to find a girly flat with lots of personality. Please help.

Eva

Manolo says, August has arrived and although the weather remains intolerable, the Manolo has also begun to obsess over the shoes for the fall.

What are the perfect shoes to wear while hunting for the pumpkins, or watching the football games, or instructing your lawn minions to rake the leaves under the Japanese maple?

These are the sort of questions that occupy the Manolo’s mind, even as he huddles in his air-conditioned home, sipping iced tea, and mopping his brow.

But then it is always thus, no? We are fickle creatures who in the depths of winter long for the strappy sandals spring will bring, but in the summer daydream of the cozy fur-lined boots we will wear when picking out the Christmas tree.

Look! Here is the Papillion from Kate Spade, the super girly chocolate suede flat with the outsized bow that would be perfect to wear to your friend’s annual Autumnal Equinox party.

Manolo says, Kate Spade rubber rain shoes!

Manolo says, here are the very attractive low-heeled peep-toe slingbacks from the Kate Spade, the sort of shoes that any woman, young or old, would be happy to wear to the festive holiday party.

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

Dear Manolo,

Can I, or can I not, wear white shoes after Labor Day. My mother says “no”, my sister says “yes”. I’m confused, please help.

Laura

Manolo says, it would not be late August if the Manolo were not required to answer for his friends the eternal question, “when is it proper to wear the white shoes.”

Happily for many, and to the chagrin of the few, the Manolo’s response to this question has not changed for many years now. Yes, you may wear the white shoes after the end of the summer.

Certainly, the Manolo is the traditionalist, one who believes that our standards of dress and comportment have slipped badly in recent times, but the Manolo is also the realist one who recognizes that this ancient and petty dictum had outlived it usefulness in the modern age.

So, unless you are having the high tea with the ladies of the Biloxi Garden Society, this is the rule you can safely ignore well into the fall, but only if the weather remains hot and sunny, as white shoes are indeed summer weather shoes.

Here is the Emmy by Kate Spade the white shoe with the brown leather trim that would allow you to stylishly make the transition from summer to fall.

Manolo says, in keeping the Manolo’s declaration that he is currently “all about the patent leather,” here is the Chelsea by Kate Spade, the fun kitten heel pump that combines the patent leather and the suede in the amusing manner.

Remember, the autumn will soon arrive…. Soon arrive? In some places, it is already here! Time to buy the shoes of fall!

Manolo says, the fall is coming, and it is time to prepare with shoes such as this simple, suede, sling-back peep-toe pump the Kate Spade. Not only is it elegant, but the Manolo thinks it is very smart in these two rich colors, the ruby and the navy.

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

Dear Manolo

I will be attending my 20th high school reunion this summer. I was hoping for a fabulous evening of dinner and dance, but alas, the venue is a family picnic in the middle of a field, and I’ll be chasing two small children. Please help.

Melissa

Manolo says, few life events are as fraught with the potential for embarrassment as the high school reunions.

“Jane, it is so wonderful to see you, how is Bob?…Oh, really, well he clearly wasn’t right for you. Ayyyy! Look! There is Sally Beistermann at the buffet. She got as big as the house! What? She’s your lover?”

One minute you are admiring your old flame’s new hair system and spare tire, and the next you’re face down in the punch.

Of the course, the Manolo also abhors the idea of the outdoor picnic reunion. How is one supposed to make the others jealous when the harsh afternoon sun reveals every crow’s foot and gray hair.

In such cases, the best policy is to use the super fantastic feetwear to direct their gazes away from the ravages of time and the egg on your face.

Here is the eye-catching espadrille from the Kate Spade that will make mean girls green with envy.

Manolo says, the Manolo has been in the mood for the red patent leather lately. Here is the excellent manifestation of this material as the flippy and youthful wedge sandal from the Kate Spade, perfect for the spring casual look.

It is also available in the fun-looking bronze lamé.

Manolo says, here from the Kate Spade is the Genevieve, the sort of light and airy shoe that would be perfect for wearing with your summery frocks.

Manolo says, it is the day for the wearing o’ the green!

Here is the Kate Spade kitten-heel mary jane that would help your Erin go Braugh!

One of the commenters at the Zappos says these olive platforms from the Charles David made her “feel like Grace Kelly”, and if that’s not Irishy-American the Manolo does not know what is.

The Faith and Begorrah! But, these cute wedges from the Fornarina are green!

Manolo says, these handsome suede shoes from the Kate Spade are yet another of the shoes named for the philosophers, this time the Augustine

With these upon your feets the Donatists and the Pelagians would not stand the chance.

Previously, the Pascal and the Liebniez.