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

I am in a quandary re. red shoes. I can find amazing evening ones, but not respectable daytime ones. I know red is hardly respectable, but it seems to give a nice jolt to a day outfit, if only one can find the right pair. Any thoughts or suggestions? Or should I just stick with red evening shoes? Thank you!

Dana

Since the Manolo does not know whether these hypothetical shoes of the daytime jolt are to be worn casually or professionally, the Manolo will make the three suggestions to cover the range of possibilities.

This is Petra from Donald J. Pliner, the wonderfully tomato red casual loafer of reputed comfort that would undoubtedly look good at the bottom of your legs, which could be wearing either the pants, the shorts, or the sporty skirt.

If the red shoes of the Pliner are too sportif, and not enough joltif, then perhaps these flame colored patent leather wedges, the Lacross from the Stuart Weitzman, would be more to your liking. Not only are they sufficiently attention gathering, but they are also on the sale, reduced more than $130 of American dollars.

Finally, if your intentions are to perhaps stun your officemates into the state of heightened alertness, the Manolo would recommend these peep-toe pumps from the Marc by Marc Jacobs (also currently on the sale) as being suitable for wearing to the place of employment.

Of the course, as everyone knows, red shoes have the complicated history of dangerousness. They have long been the symbol of excessive vanity and frivolity, and yet, they are also irresistible to those of us who have eyes to see.

(more…)

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

Dear Manolo,

I have a question about shoe etiquette. I recently attended a funeral for a work acquaintance, and was shocked to see that many of the younger women present were wearing sandals. I’ve always assumed that this was inappropriate. Your thoughts?

Helen

Manolo says, frankly, the ways of the modern world continue to disappoint and frighten the Manolo, and nothing moreso than the casual manner in which we now treat all of the most important events in our lives.

All except for the weddings, that is, which are now routinely celebrated with bumptiously grandiose ceremonies worthy of the Mughal emperors. Unfortunately, everything else, from the weekly worship services, to the christenings, to the funerals, is attended by gangs of people dressed as if they were heading out for the day at the theme park, in khaki shorts, novelty t-shirts, sandals and fanny packs.

And although it is now no longer strictly necessary to wear the black clothing to the funerals, one should still always dress in the respectful manner, in modest clothing and muted colors, and with the closed-toe shoes on the feets. Leave the cleavage, both bosom and toe, for your next trip the disco. It is important to remember that you are not the focus of this event.

Here is the Court from Stuart Weitzman, the simple, respectful shoe, suitable for this solemn occasion.

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

Dear Manolo,

A junior diplomat of my acquaintance has invited me to the French Embassy for a Bastille Day party. It’s an evening affair with dinner and dancing, so I’m wearing a long, strapless, cerulean blue, chiffon dress. I’m also considering wearing red shoes and a white shawl in honor of the French tricolore. Please advise.

Patricia

Manolo says, how marvelous to be celebrating liberté, égalité, fraternité in this most exclusive of settings, with the French bureaucrats and their dates stuffing themselves with frog legs and snails and the insouciant little Burgundy, and then shaking their euro-booties to Johnny Hallyday’s latest smash hit.

Vive le rock ‘n’ roll, indeed!

Unfortunately, the Manolo must advise against adorning oneself in the colors of the French flag. Leave such sartorial symbolism to Marianne in her Phrygian cap and tricolor cockade. (Undoubtedly, she will put in the brief appearance near the end of the evening, hoisting the drapeau tricolore aloft and leading the tipsy masses in the rousing version of the Marseillaise… Aux armes, citoyens! May the impure blood of the aristocrats water our furrows!)

You, on the other hand, must look your absolute best, and be on your best behavior, so that your companion is not publically shamed, the consequences of which may be best expressed by the phrase “posted to the consulate of the breakaway Republic of Southwestern Chad.”

Here is the Tealights silver sandal from Stuart Weitzman; beautiful, simple, and sufficiently elegant enough to prevent the dispatching of your friend to Ultima Thule.

Manolo says, the Manolo arose late this morning, the consequence of Daylight Saving Time and perhaps, possibly, staying out very late drinking many bottles of wine and tumblers of bourbon with his friends.

In any event, here is something pretty and perfect for your spring cocktail parties: the flowery Jardin from Stuart Weitzman.

And now the Manolo must go put some ice on his head and crack open the new bottle of aspirin.

Manolo says, what is one of the hottest and most surprising trends of this season?

The studded ballet flat!

The Memphis Ballet from Be + D.

The Dotsalot by Stuart Weitzman

The Marval by Daniblack.

One of these too cute flats, paired with the skinny jeans, and the right attitude (think: vulnerable tough girl out on the town, fresh from yoga with the chai latte, kick-starting her 1946 Indian motorcycle) and you will rock.

Manolo says, winter, winter go away, bring the Manolo the fine spring day!

So that he may see these shoes on the feets of his friends.

The Kayla from Elizabeth and James in bright multi-snake yellow-yellow-yellow.

The Lacross from Stuart Weitzman in sea patent aniline blue-blue-blue.

The Estelle Wedge from the Dolce and the Gabbana in kelly-esque, sorta-MG-racing greeny-greeny-green.

And now, this is the time on the Shoe Blogs when the Manolo dances!

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

Dear Manolo,

This year, one of my New Year’s resolutions is to get my legs in better shape by St. Valentines day, so I can wear some stunning heels when I go out with my boyfriend, just in case, he, you know…pops the question, or something. Can you suggest a pair of red shoes for me to wear on the big day, something I can use as motivation to stick with it.

Emily

Manolo says, needless to say, the Manolo approves of using the promised acquisition of beautiful shoes as the carrot to spur oneself to greater accomplishment. Of the course, if one were really serious about the resolutions, one would also use the stick to enforce compliance with the new regime.

Imagine how much more motivated you would be if you swore to all your friends that if you did not meet your goals you would appear in public, at the fancy restaurant for the Dia de San Valentino Festival of Amour, in the bright orange Crocs.

For the Manolo the shame of having to wear plastic dork shoes on his feets that would certainly keep him on the Stairmaster.

As for the beautiful red shoes, the Manolo recommends the Festivity from Stuart Weitzman as being the suitable, and suitably named reward for your efforts.

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

Dear Manolo,

Now that fall is here, my ballet flats seem too flimsy for the season. I’ve been looking for something more substantial, but I’m having difficulty finding a shoe I like. The problem is that I do a fair bit of walking in the city, so I need something comfortable, but I’m a girly-girl, and everything I’ve looked at thus far isn’t feminine enough. Please help.

Jeannie

Manolo says, one of the most difficult tasks for the Manolo in his role of Doctor of Shoeology is finding the walking shoes that are at once comfortable and durable, and yet do not look like something designed by the Bulgarian peasant committee.

Recommend beautiful fancy ball shoes which will make you feel as if you are gliding through the evening on the fairy wings? Right away, says the Manolo!

Comfortable autumnal shoes that do not make your inner Audrey Hepburn recoil in horror? Ayyyyyy! Not so easy!

Look here is the Pleatolo from Stuart Weitzman, the low-heeled wedge, that is halfway between the loafer and the elevated ballet slipper. It is the dainty pleating that makes the Manolo smile. It is available in the multitude of colors and finishes, of which the Manolo’s favorite is the Cranberry Glove Patent.

Manolo says, above are two similar tall boots from Stuart Weitzman, the Lacemeup and the Buttonup. The Manolo likes both, very much, indeed they are both super fantastic.

And now here is the interesting psycho-stylistic question: Which do you find sexier, the buttons or the laces?

Although, as with all matters of sexiosity, personal taste will undoubtedly figure in your answer, the Manolo has decided, after much deliberation, that he finds laces to be inherently more sexier than the buttons.

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

Dear Manolo,

What is your take on the over-the-knee boot that featured prominently in the Fall 2009 Ready-To-Wear collections? I particularly love the ones I saw from Louis Vuitton, but clearly do not have the bills required for such luxury spending. In your opinion, is this a look worth investing in, or do you think it will disappear in a couple seasons, leaving me with a large hole in my wallet and a pair of boots I cannot take out into public?

Lulu

Manolo says, unless you are the Spanish grandee, French Musketeer, English privateer, or leggy under-30-year-old model it best to steer your ship clear of the historical drama signified by the over-the-knee boot.

They are so difficult to carry off well without the plumed hat and cape and/or the banging body. And it so easy to go wrong with them and end up looking like the extra on the set of the all-midget remake of “The King’s Strumpet.”

But, yes, this year marks the return of the over-the-knee boot, and if you must invest in this trend the Manolo would tell you to wait until later in the fall to see just how popular the look has become. Very popular, it will persist for the year or two. Not so popular, doomed by Spring.

Here is the 5050 flat Stuart Weitzman over-the-knee boots, perfect for wearing with the black tights.

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

Dear Manolo,

In late August I’m attending an outdoor wedding in upstate New York. I’ve settled on a summery sort of wrap dress in a light blue color. What would you recommend in the way of footwear?

Rachel

Manolo says, the few years back the Manolo attended the late summer wedding in the Catskills. It was the wonderful celebration of love and family and friends.

Unfortunately, the weather was unseasonably hot and humid, and so even though the ceremony proceeded flawlessly, it was nonetheless difficult for the Manolo to fully enjoy the festivities, what with the quantities of sweat running off his brow and puddling up in his shoes.

And this is the problem with even the best planned of outdoor weddings. There are things which even the most attentive of bridezillas cannot control: packs of barking dogs, clouds of blood-thirsty mosquitoes, lightening strikes that set off car alarms, small aircraft towing banners advertising malt liquor, and freakishly muggy weather that leaves the guests wilted and spent, and causes the caterer to run out of cold beer before the first dance.

Look, here are the marvelous Stoneybrook from Stuart Weitzman, the low-heeled strappy sandal that will keep you cool during even the hottest of ceremonies.

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

Dear Manolo,

This next week is graduating from the 8th grade graduation at a very exclusive private school, paid for in large part by my ex-husband, who will naturally be there at the graduation with his new bride, a woman 18-years his junior. As much as I would like to avoid the social awkwardness, I know that my son needs me to be there. Please suggest something to make me feel confident.

Eve

Manolo says, outside of fantastical nightmares in which you are forced to take the final exam in quantum physics (“But, I majored in English!”) while wearing nothing but your bunny slippers, encountering the ex and his cheerleader-cum-bride is the most intensely awkward and uncomfortable situation imaginable.

On the one of the hands you wish to crawl under the floorboards and die. On the other of the hands, you wish to cause someone else to die and stash the corpses under the floorboards. And yet, on the third of the hands, you know that you must put aside your desire to drive your mini-van over his new sports car, with lout and bimbo trapped inside, so that your son can fully enjoy his big day without incident.

Thus, the only proper way to conduct oneself is to be aloof and above it all, and what better way to be above it all than with the Platswoon from Stuart Weitzman? The Manolo likes this patent camel finish for the spring time event.