Manolo’s Shoe Blog

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

Dear Manolo,

A very fashion forward friend of mine asked the question yesterday, “With regard to shoes for this spring, is beige the new black?” I said I would consult the Manolo who is the only person I trust to have the correct information about the shoes for any season.

Deborah

Manolo says, there is no “new black”. Black is black and it shall never be replaced as the most essential color (or non-color) in the wardrobe.

This is not to say that there are not important color trends now at work in the world of feetwear, only that the Manolo has grown extremely weary of the phrase “such-and-such is the new black.”

As for these current fashion trends, beige shoes will be prevalent, but the more striking trend this season will be bold colors, and indeed, the Manolo has already declared 2008, the “Year of the Colorful Shoe”

We are already seeing festive shoes that are saturated with bright colors, rich variations of purple, orange, yellow, green, blue, and red.

Look here is the Jade from Via Spiga, the round-toed slingback shown here in the purple patent leather, but also available in yellow and orange. Is this not infinitely more fun than beige?

Manolo says, the Manolo woke up this morning in the mood for the good pair of the pirate boots, and by “good” the Mnaolo means sexy, but not overly costumey. And behold, here is the aptly named Rogue from the Via Spiga, the pirate boot that does not make the Manolo want to walk the plank.

Manolo says, one of the Manolo many internet friends has sent the Manolo the question.

Dear Manolo,

My husband and I are invited to a company dinner at a restaurant. The dress code there is business casual. I have this dark chocolate knee length dress with an empire waist that I plan to wear. The dress is quite playful and youthful looking so I am thinking about pairing it with a pair of knee high black suede Via Spiga boots (Forde is the name). I am just wondering about whether this would be appropriate for the dinner party. I am in my late 20s and the company has a very relaxed (read jeans and t-shirts) dress policy. I am looking forward to your answer!!! Love your web site.

Yijia

Manolo says, this is the sort of question that the Manolo loves, for it shows that the Gospel of The Good Shoes has spread to the four corners of the Earth, as these are the very handsome boots.

However, the Manolo has the worry, and that is that the Manolo’s friend is wearing the relatively unstrutured dress with the slouchy boots, and the rule of the Manolo is that one should not pair slouchy with slouchy lest one look like the Mama Cass.

The Manolo would prefer the ankle-strap sandal with this dress, which would give his friend the sexy-flirty look. However, if she wishes to wear the boot, the Manolo would suggest something like the Spire from the Via Spiga, with the smooth line across the ankles.

No matter, in either case, the Manolo’s internet friend will be admired (and her husband envied) by the too-casual peoples of work.

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

Naturally as this it is the Day of Labor Weekend, there is only one topic that can be addressed.

Dear Manolo,

I’m from South Carolina and my mother would die if I wore white shoes after Labor Day.

Charlotte

Manolo says, it is that time of the year again, when the Manolo, like the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil, is required by custom and tradition to emerge from his burrow and opine on the wearing of the white shoes after the Day of Labor.

As in the previous years, the Manolo must disappoint all of the Daughters of the Confederacy by saying that there is nothing wrong with the white shoes after the end of the summer.

Petty and inconsequential fashion dictums were meant to be broken. If they were not, all of the southern ladies would still be sporting the white gloves and extending their pinkies when they sipped the tea.

We are not the fashion automatons who shift our uniforms in lockstep with the seasons. We are the liberated fashion beings who are obliged to look our best, even if this violates the “rules”.

In the fact, the Manolo has only the single rule: If the shoe looks good, the shoe must be worn!

Here is the white peep-toe from the Via Spiga that will still look good next week.

Manolo says, one of the Manolo’s many internet friends has asked the Manolo the question.

Manolo, I need some quick advice. My graduation is in a week and it was suggested to the girls that for shoes with our robes, we wear, “sort of, like, modern, dark-colored business pumps.” Oh, God, was my immediate reaction. I’m a big shoe person, but I tend more towards colors and unique styles. I have just one pair of black shoes that I wear with pretty much any outfit that requires more classic, black shoes. I’ve had them for years and they’re fairly outdated. Also, they’ve been through the mill (the dog has chewed on them) and been repaired several times. Basically, I want some shoes that loosely fit the description, but that are more interesting and different than everyone else’s. I don’t want to look like I’m wearing my mother’s shoes, but unless I find something, I’m afraid I actually will be wearing my mother’s shoes. I’m planning on wearing to graduation (under my robes, for part of the time) a dress from Anthropologie (called the Nightingale dress) that has a flower pattern and mostly brown tones. Oh, and did I mention that I have a wide foot and limited money to spend on these shoes? Please, point me in the right direction!

While the Manolo he appreciates the desire of the “man” to dictate the shoes of the graduate, the Manolo he refuses to allow his internet friend to be ill-shod on this one of the important days of the young person’s life. The dress she has chosen it is pretty, and it deserves the shoe that is likewise pretty, and yet, at the same of the time suitable for wearing under the robes of the graduate, and yet, also at the same of the times, suitable for the girl with the wide feets.

And so, the Manolo he has decided that the brown suede with the roomy toe box, and perhaps the pink trim, it would be most suitable for this lively young woman who wishes to not upset the oppressive powers that be.

This shoe from the Via Spiga, it the little bit retro, which makes it suitable for the vintage sort of dress. Even the better, it is on the sale at the Zappos.

This one from the Vigotti, it has the higher heel and the ankle strap, making it the more forward choice.

Yes, only by the stretching are these the “business” pumps, but then the girl she must do what she must do to look good on this happy day.

Manolo says, the Manolo he can now only extend to his internet friend the best of the wishes and the most heartfelt congratulations.