Manolo’s Shoe Blog

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

Dear Manolo,

I’m about to graduate with a masters degree in landscape architecture, and will shortly be going out to seek my fortune. To this point, I’ve not thought much about footwear, content to wear my wellies in almost all situations (I did put on real shoes for my sister’s wedding). Now, however, as I begin to think about job interviews I become somewhat nervous. What do you recommend to convey the exact right combination of professional seriousness, outdoorsy intellectualism, and artistic competency?

Jane

Manolo says, to the uninitiated, the landscape architects are merely glorified gardeners, but to those who know about such things, landscape architects are members of the ancient and useful fraternity, stretching back to God himself, who in one of his first recorded acts redirected the major water feature to produce the usable spot of dry land, where he subsequently planted the garden.

Of the course, less august landscape architects have more mundane concerns, such as how to convey the proper image through personal dress and style.

Like the traditional architect, the landscape architect must appear both professional and artistic, but with the additional burden of having to appear sufficiently in touch with nature, without resorting to bib overall and John Deere gimme caps.

The Manolo suggest expensive but comfortable, tailored suiting made from natural fibers in woodland browns and greens. Think Jedi Knights meet Robin Hood meets Prada.

Look! Here is Fanny from Donald J. Pliner, the mid-heel wedge with the rich walnut-colored leather that would look good indoors or out.

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

Dear Manolo,

I’m taking my wife to New York for a romantic weekend. However, I’m have a devil of a time finding a pair of hip, downtown shoes in my size, which is sixteen. Please help.

John

Manolo says, at the least, the Manolo’s friend can take comfort that the size sixteen, while enormous, is not the biggest feets of which the Manolo has ever heard. Indeed, the Manolo had the acquaintance many years ago, who wore the size eighteen (which he covered most frequently in the red Converse All-Stars). And even this freakishly large size is still well below the extra freakishly large Shaquille O’Neal size twenty-threes.

It is the opinion of the Manolo that men with such majestic feet deserve nothing less than the finest custom made English shoes, although such luxurious feetwear are generally beyond the means of the average person.

In America, many big-feeted men and professional athletes (including Shaquille O’Neal) shop at the venerable Friedman’s Shoes in Atlanta which has specialized in extra big shoes since 1929. (If you cannot go to Atlanta you may visit their website at www.largefeet.com)

Likewise, there are other on-line shoe stores which carry the big sizes, including the always reliable Zappos.

Speaking of majestic shoes, here is the Rex from Donald Pliner. Wear them with blue-jeans and you will be the hippest big-footed man in all of the TribeSoNoLitaHo.

Manolo says, one of the Manolo’s internet friends has disagreed with the Manolo’s stance on the Ugg Boots.

Dear Manolo,

I came across your Ugg response to the mom. Can’t say I disagree more. I went to a recent award show where P. Diddy was honored (yes fab) He told this tear jerking story about how his mom worked 3 jobs to take care of her kids including caring for adults with cerebral palsy – getting only 3 hours of sleep a night. To think I had always judged Mama Combs so harshly for her red carpet fits which included cleavage and lots of fur. After hearing her story I say she can wear whatever she wants. Where do we get these silly ideas that women after a certain age can’t have fun anymore. Men continue to wear their silly shorts with their bony pale legs way into their sixties. Yet us girls must be age appropriate. I say ‘Mom” if you wanna wear some Uggs go for it, not with a mini skirt, but definitely with some non-mom jeans and a cute warm sweater. Hopefully you’re raising a great kid – so hey you deserve it.

Signed
30 year old Ugg wearer

The Manolo believes that just because one makes the bad fashion choices does not indicate that one is the bad person, indeed, there are beautifully tailored men and stylish women who are loathsome, just as there are kind, cheerful, and humane people dressed in outlandish or shabby costumes. One is not necessarily connected to the other.

The reason the Manolo singles out the Ugg boots usage among the older ladies is that such things send the wrong message (”Look at me! I’m trying desperately to be youthful!), and because it is the opportunity missed.

If you are the lady of the certain age, there are so many better things to put on your body. Indeed, it is more fun for the fully grown woman to get dressed up in something beautiful, surprising, flattering, and age-appropriate than it is to ape the childish and attention-getting fads of the teenagers. ( Tattoos of SpongeBob the Square Pants may be cute when you are 19 and stupid, but when you are 50, they are just sad.)

And so the Manolo objects to the Uggs because wearing them prevents one from dressing in better things, things that can indicate you are the person of sophistication, intelligence, and, yes, fun, such as this this, the Quinn from Donald J. Pliner

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

Dear Manolo,

Now that the summer is almost over can you give us your opinion of wearing white shoes after Labor Day.

Julia

Manolo says, every year at this time the Manolo feels like Punxsutawney Phil, the cute little Pennsylvania goundhog, who must each February emerge from his burrow and announce whether or not the winter will continue.

Likewise, at the end of each summer, the festive crowds gather on the boulevards in front of the Manolo’s pied-à-terre, waiting for the Manolo to emerge, boutonnière in place, walking stick in hand, to opine on the suitability of white feetwear after the Day of Labor.

And, each year, the Manolo gives the same response to the gathered throngs, “Yes, the thousand times, yes! You may wear the white shoes even into the fall.”

And, each year, the Manolo gives the same justification, that whether or not one wears white shoes is entirely about suitability. If the weather is still warm, and your outfit would benefit from beautiful white shoes, then you should wear them.

Look, here is the Zudora from the Donald J. Pliner, the white and black peep-toe pump that could look smashing well into the autumn.

Manolo says, here is the handsome and unusual ankle boot, the Lovisa from the Donald J. Pliner, and it is on the sale, 34% off of the regular price, the savings of nearly $120 of the American dollars!

Manolo says, here from Donald Pliner is the Nany in metallic bronze, the perfectly handsome and perfectly simple palate cleanser for when one tires of the more frenetically embellished shoes which are au courant.

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

Dear Manolo,

I’m in the market for some fun, flirty, feminine spring/summer shoes. The only problem is that I have hideous feet. They’re fine in anything with a closed or peep toe, but I feel that sandals show something better left covered up. What would you recommend?

Christine

Manolo says, how the Manolo sympathizes with his many friends who have unsightly feets. Truly it is the curse!

When the weather turns warm after many months of frigidity, your toes wish to run free, manumitted from the leathern prisons in which you have confined them these many months.

But if you have the ugly feets, this cannot happen, for fear that your toes will terrorize the townsfolk.

Yes, it is true, your toes have nothing but good intentions, they mean well, and are not harmful to others; they are just misunderstood. But that will not prevent shouting and angry villagers, armed with pitchforks and torches, from chasing your toes back into their dark hiding places!

Better to avoid this embarrassing scene and keep your monstrous shame safely hidden in closed-toed shoes in festive spring colors.

Look, here is the Rona from Donald J. Pliner, the bright pointy-toed mule that is perfect for wearing with the white cropped pants and the summer tan.

Manolo says, over the next few days the Manolo will be sharing with you what he thinks are the shoe trends for the New Year.

Here is the new shoe, the Cary from Donald Pliner, which represents one of the coming trends.

Yes, it is the return of the pointy toed pumps. Although, they never completely went away, pointy toed shoes have been in eclipse for the past three years. But you may now look for them to begin to creep back onto the runways in the coming months.

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

Dear Manolo,

I’m going to Paris soon, and because I am no longer the tireless young woman I was when I last visited, I’ll need good shoes. Are there super fantastic shoes for days and days of walking? I’d even settle for semi-fantastic.

Kenna

Manolo says, this story is so common: many years ago, when you were young and lithe, you cavorted about Europe in high-heeled mary janes and bright red stilettos, your youthful feets able to quickly recover from whatever indignities you inflicted upon them.

Now, thanks to Father Time, you walk down the block at lunchtime to get your customary tuna hoagie, Snapple, and lottery ticket and your feets curse you.

“Ayyyyy!” they scream, “You are killing us with your addiction to the Powerball Pick-Six! You should be satisfied with the office football pool and something from the vending machine, you harridan.”

And, now you are not looking forward to when you will announce to them your plans for the walking tour of the Seventh Arrondissement.

But, fear not, for the Manolo now suggests to you the AAA from the Donald Pliner in the black silk elastic. This is the good basic shoe, one that is said to be exceedingly comfortable and yet would look very stylish with the pants.