Dear Manolo,

I think I need a pair of new booties to go with my pink skinny jeans. What do you recommend?

Karis

Manolo says, yes, it is true, colorful panting— pink, green, yellow, red— is all the rage among the hipsters, fashionistas, and style setters. In fact the trend is so ubiquitous, that it is probably actually out, and we have just not gotten the news yet.

But such is always the way when one chases to the trends, no?

One minute, everyone in the world is laying down on their beds desperately trying to squeeze into the Gloria Vanderbilt, super-slim-fit designer disco jeans, and the next it is all “Come on Eileen”, and now you have to go down to the hardware store and buy the overalls and bandanas so as to achieve that sexy-retro-junky-hobo-gamine look that was so popular in the summer of 1983. But as soon as you button up your Big Smith’s and started to look for someone to teach you to play the penny whistle, it was time for the “Girls Just Wanted to Have Fun”, and, well frankly, that whole Lauper-based period is best forgotten. (Your hair has only recently recovered from what you did to it then.)

Manolo says, fashion is overrated. Style is underrated. Be your own style icon!

Look! Here is the York bootie from Michael by Michael Kors, the platform ankle bootie that is trendy-hot in the purple (which the Manolo loves) and more timeless in the conservative black version.

And so, here are three such sandals that the Manolo finds worth the wearing…

From the preppy stalwart Jack Rogers comes the Clare Wedge, the sort of limey greenish shoe that would look good at the relaxed garden party.

There is something about the shape of the flowers on the 45.744 Wedge from Gabor that makes the Manolo happy.

And if you are having the retro-summery feelings, you will need to have Ava from Kork-Ease, for nothing says cork platform like Kork-Ease.

Dear Manolo,

At the end of the month, I’m taking a series of exams, the final portion being an hour long oral defense of what I wrote in the written exam concerning marriage in Rome, Latin poetry, necromancy, magic and the Goddess Hecate; (in multiple essays, not just one). It’s very frightening, as I am just a shy and lowly undergraduate. I want to WOW my professors in the orals, but I need the confidence that can only be gotten from fabulous shoes (on a budget though, I am a college student). Do you have any suggestions?

Betsy

Manolo says, on the one of the hands, what else would one wear to take the exams about the world of Rome than the handsome pair of the gladiator sandals?

But, on the other of the hands, that would be too obvious, would it not?

And yet, on the third of the hands, the professors who are doing the examing are probably the Romanophiles, and so would certainly be amused by your choice of the feetwear.

Although, on the four of the hands, probably not.

Still, on the fifth of the hands, the sandals of the gladiator sandals are comfortable, yes?

Besides, on the sixth of the hands, it is February, and cold and wet, even in Rome itself.

Ultimately, on the seventh of the hands, you must project the aspect of confident seriousness, not frivolity, and so the Manolo recommends the Vivian from the Kors by Michael Kors, in the Taupe Kid Suede (also available in 11 other finishes.) Not exactly Roman, but when in Academia one must do as the Academians do.

Manolo says, because of the the green beer and Bushmills, which you consumed to excess last evening, you would rather forget about the Dia del San Patricio, but the Manolo cannot help himself. When he saw these green shoes from the Michael Kors he wanted to show them to you.

Spring is coming! Think green!

Last week, when the Manolo recommended the super fantastic gifts for the men, he suggested that the Amazon Kindle electronic reading machine, would be the most appropriate gift for gentleman. Subsequently, many of the Manolo’s lady friends said that this thing was something they also truly wanted to find under the tree.

So, if you are the gentleman who wishes to impress the lady of your acquaintance, present her with the Kindle filled with the collected works of Ludwig Wittgenstein and Danielle Steele.

This large Chloé leather bag not only has the good clean lines for the large bag, making it suitable for the classy lady of style, and yet it is also hip enough to satisfy even the most demanding downtown girl.

Here is the Marc by Marc Jacobs Foret Chain Continental Clutch, the perfect little something-something to go with your lady friend’s little black dressy-dress.

Everyone loves to get the cashmere, it is the fabric of love! Here is the Michael Kors Cashmere Cardigan that is simple, elegant, and somewhat reasonably priced, as such things go.

The perfume from CB I Hate Perfume, the shop of Chris Brosius the most original, uncompromising, and iconoclastic of the scent designers. The Manolo is particularly fond of Memory of Kindness, described as “The shining green scent of tomato vines growing in the fresh earth of a country garden”.

Chocolate! Fancy Chocolate from zChocolat delivered in the four-drawer mahogany box that will become lasting memory of the successfully delicious Christmas gift.

Dear Manolo,

To celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary, my husband, who is a real outdoorsman, has surprised me with a weekend in New York City, featuring dinner at Daniel, and tickets to see one of my all time favorites, South Pacific. I want to show my appreciation by wearing a really hot pair of shoes in red. Please help.

Carolyn

Manolo sings…

Some enchanted evening, you may see South Pacific
you may see at the Lincoln Center, sitting behind a column
You got the tickets half price, from a man on Broadway
He assured your woodsy husband, that they were the best seats.

Some enchanted evening, you may eat at Daniel.
You may eat at Daniel, on East 65th Street.
And somehow you know, you know even then
That you’ll talk about that rude maître d’ again!

Who can explain it, who can tell you why,
fools give you reasons, wise men never try!

Some enchanted evening, you may see South Pacific
You may see it from the cheap seats, with the angry indigestion.
an’ night after night, as strange as it seems
the sound of mocking laughter will sing in your dreams!

Your man is still the sweetheart, because he tried his best.
Never let him gooooooo.

Manolo says, Michael Kors, MK14031 strappy sandal, in the rosso red.

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 super fantastic shoes of great costliness, even though he knows that most of his friends will never be able to afford such luxuries; shoes that may perhaps be on one’s “bucket list”.

In the meantime, while you are accumulating great wealth by writing your elven bodice ripper (perhaps, to be entitled, The Passion of Ravenscroft, followed by the sequel, The Return of the Passion of Ravenscroft) you must still wear shoes, for you are not the hobbit who can go about in bare feets.

Of course, the Manolo, who knows what it is like to be poor, so poor that you must live in the earthen burrow beneath the Long Island Expressway like the urban hobbit, will be happy to recommend the few shoes of reasonable cost and superior attractiveness.

Above is the Hilda from Via Spiga for all of your casual Friday needs, from the office to the Hampton Jitney.

And when our poor girl arrives in Amagansett, she will need some wedge espadrilles, such as these, the Cool from Franco Sarto (available in six colors) to wear with her flowing sun dress.

And, when it comes time to head to the beach (it is 90 degrees in New York today!), our working girl will wish to glam it up the bit under her sarong, perhaps with these gold metallic python thong sandals, the Winnie from Kors by Micheal Kors.

Dear Manolo,

Last week, my very frugal husband became so fed up with this interminable winter weather that he went out, without my knowing, and booked us a week long cruise to Cozumel, Mexico, leaving the second week of February. And now, I need some sandals appropriate to warm weather.

Susan

Manolo says, long ago, when the Manolo was very poor, he spent the few seasons living in the place with the very cold, very snowy winters. It was during this period of poverty, while the Manolo was forced to trudge many miles to obtain his daily crust of bread, that he grew to dislike excessive displays of winter frostiness.

Indeed, the Manolo clearly remember the moment when, caught outdoors in the storm of sleet, he vowed to exact his revenge upon Señor Jacque Frost.

“To the last,” the Manolo shouted Ahab-like to no one in particular, “The Manolo grapples with thee; from Saint-Tropez’s heart the Manolo laughs at thee; For hate’s sake, the Manolo sips his last piña colada at thee!”

Of the course, the wind did not listen, but still, the shouting was moderately therapeutic, although, certainly not as therapeutic as going to Cozumel. Nor, as therapeutic as the Valley from KORS by Michael Kors, the summery cork-heeled, platform wedge sandals available in the rainbow of colors, although the Manolo is most partial to white for the beaches of Mexico.

Dear Manolo,

Summer is at an end and I need a new pair of work shoes for the fall, something with a bit of a heel. Of course, I can’t afford anything too extravagant as I am but a poor working girl. Please help.

Katie

Manolo says, as always the Manolo counsels his friends to save their monies and purchase the most super fantastic work shoes possible. Nothing is as satisfying as wearing beautiful shoes of high quality into your place of employment.

Of the course, the Manolo knows that the economic times they are very difficult, indeed, in technical terms the economic conditions are as hard as the lips of the woodpecker.

Likewise, the Manolo knows what it is like to be poor, so poor that you must make your own super fantastic work shoes out of promotional key chains and drink coozies you have pilfered from your previous place of work, and laboriously worked into the surprisingly attractive pair of Ringo Starr ankle boots.

Look here is the Bayville Loafer from the Michael by Michael Kors, the handsome high-heeled patent-leather loafer available in the very deep red color that the Manolo thinks is wonderfully autumnal.