Manolo says, it is Monday and you are back at your work doing that thing that needs to get done so that you do not slip into poverty and find yourself living in the sewers that run beneath the streets of your town, pushing the shopping cart filled with smashed aluminum cans and cat pelts.

Frankly, you would rather be sitting at home in your pajamas, reading the Agatha Christie novel and eating potato chips, but the cruel realities of the modern world have forced you to venture out into the daylight and interact with the bosses, the coworkers, and the clients, three classes of humans without whom you can perhaps do.

Well, at the least, you can spend the few minutes sitting at your desk, pretending to work, while trying to find deals online. Or perhaps, thinking about how to make your yourself look smarter for work with new dress from Ted Baker, maybe something flowery that will get you out of your mid-winter rut and into the spring time mood.

Speaking of the the flowers, those love offerings that spring gives to us each year, here is the Vikki Wedge from the Kate Spade in the rose gold, the perfectly wonderful flowered sandal.

And here is the coupon for the free shipping from the Jildor shoes to help you make up your mind.

Manolo says, here are the python and leather wedge sandals from the Alexandre Birman, which the Manolo considers the sort of late summer shoe, one that would find it’s home on your feets during the afternoon-to-evening transitions, when you are stepping out for the early dinner. And look! They are on the discounted sale, 54% off of the regular price, the savings of over $350 of the American dollars.

Manolo says, here is something to make your July Thursday afternoon more pleasant, the snappy wedge-heeled, espadrille sandals from the Burberry.

Manolo says here is the fun, chunky wedge sandal from Mark & James by Badgley Mischka that kicks it bargain style, on the sale, reduced 50% off of the usual price.

Manolo says, it is the lazy summer Saturday afternoon, and you need something fun, simple, and not overly expensive…et voila: The Last But Not the Least wedge sandals from the Seychelles (the cleverly named shoe company, not the tropical archipelago).

Manolo says, here is the pair of Alexander McQueen platform wedges with the all natural, organic-y, leather detail that pushes it out of the ordinary and into our cold, urban hearts.

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

Dear Manolo,

My mom is going to appear on a local television show and is bringing me as her plus one. I need something that is casual but also comfortable.

Elisa

Manolo says, the Manolo has not asked, nor was the information volunteered, but the Manolo is now burning to know the context of this motherly appearance on the local television program. Indeed, in the absence of information, the possibilities to exercise the imagination are deliciously endless.

For the example, the Manolo wonders, is the Mother of Eliza being feted on the Channel 37 Action Eyewitness News at Noon for her recent victory in the National Corn Flake Bake Off? (Once tasted, who could ever forget Mom’s Crunchy Chicken Kiev, Iowa-Style?)

Or, perhaps, Mama Eliza is being arraigned on criminal charges resulting from the unfortunate events that occurred during the release of her new rap gangsta album?

Maybe, instead, she is the community activist, working to save the habitat of the greater crested greeble, who has finally been invited to say her piece on that community affairs show that airs at 5:30 on the Sunday mornings.

Whatever it is, the Manolo recommends that her daughter wear the sensible but attractive shoes, because undoubtedly it will be the wild time. Here is the Cole Haan Air Lainey Chain Wedge in nougat-colored suede and patentleather. Perfect for the sudden celebrity.

Manolo says, Ayyyy! it is the hot-rodding Prada Tail Fin Wedge sandals! Clearly our muse Miuccia has had the very specific influence: the 1959 Cadillac, with the bullet taillights!

The Apotheosis of Tail Fin!

Manolo says, it is wet and gloomy today where the Manolo is, but that has not stopped him from thinking about the imminent arrival of the spring. Soon, soon, soon, the weather will break and we will be plunged into the most clement of all seasons, when the birds bloom and the flowers sing, when the young lady’s fancy turns to thoughts of shoes!

Here are three shoes from the Diane von Furstenberg which will help you usher in the new season.

If you are especially brave, maybe you will break out the shorts, in which case you will need the The Klee, the fun toe-ring flat sandal perfect for helping you shiver through until the real spring arrives.

Although, maybe your desire to to show off your wintery legs to good advantage is not as absolute as you first thought, or, perhaps you want to distract viewers downward, away from your holiday remnant thighs, either way the Opal is the sort of snazzy-juicy platform that would look super-fantastic on the first day of the new season.

Maybe, on careful reconsideration, your legs would be better covered with the seasonalish capri pants, in which case The Botswana, available in eight safari-themed finishes.

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

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, it is Monday and is it just the Manolo, or has the entire world gone cuckoo nuttybar crazy?

Look! Beautiful and interesting shoes…

These strappy denim wedge sandals from the Alexandre Birman are the sort of shoe that you would perhaps at first scorn, thinking to yourself, “Denim? Where would I wear these,”

Only months later, while sitting at your desk daydreaming about things more personally consequential than your job, you would realize that they were the most popular shoes in your closet, capable of being worn more things than you could ever have imagined.

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

Dear Manolo,

Labor Day is this weekend, and I’m confused about the rule that prohibits the wearing of white after that date. Where does it come from and why should I pay attention to it?

Miranda

Manolo says, it has been two or more years since anyone has asked the Manolo about the white shoes and the Day of Labor, the fact which the Manolo takes as evidence of the final death throes of this old rule.

Its origin lies in the ancient history of Edwardian America, when lightweight suits, hats and shoes in light colors became the preferred summertime clothing of the rich and leisured. When the summers ended, these comparatively casual clothings were put away and the sobriety of black and brown were resumed.

To have several suits of seasonal clothing, when the working people made do with the same clothing year round, was considered the mark of refinement, hence it became the rule to which the socially elevated and those who aspired to that status, rigorously adhered. White in summer, black and brown the rest of the year.

Now, of the course, we live in the vastly more crass and materialistic culture, and clothing is cheap, and cheaply made. And the rich and famous are distinguished not by their sartorial refinement, but by the outrageousness of their televised antics.

And so the Manolo’s rule is now wear what you desire, as long as it is refined, well-made and appropriate to you and the occasion.

Here is the Just The Little Knotty Wedge from Lilly Pulitzer, not exactly white, but still the fun and flirty post-Day of Labor rule breaker.