AUG
2013 09
Shoes

The Keen: At Least It Keeps the Man Toes Covered.

The Keen Newport

Manolo says, since the Manolo has recently been talking about the popular brands of the comfort shoes, perhaps it time to consider the monstrosity that is the Keen.

One can go no where now without one’s senses being assaulted by these shoe-like things on the feets of the adult males who should know better.

“Oooh, I am so sporty and with-it,” smugly and silently says the wearer, “I’ve got these super-hip outdoorsy sport sandals on my feet. When I wear these shoes I feel like I’m ‘shredding’ it with my ‘homies’. I look like I’m an X-Game’s athlete, don’t I?”

To which the Manolo silently replies, “No, you are the middle-aged dork whose choice of feetwear befouls the public space with its ugliness, thus proving the tragedy of the commons. Also, riding your $2,500 mountain bike on the paved paths at the park is not ‘shredding it’, no matter what the other members of your Fantasy Football league say.”

Still, the Manolo has to admit that the Keens, unlike the mandals, cover the unsightly middle-aged man toes, the small favor for which we are not especially thankful.

AUG
2013 08
Flats

Ecco: The Comfort Shoe That is Not the FitFlop

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

Manolo, I agree that the FitFlop is an abomination, but what would you recommend by way of comfort shoes for just kicking around the farmers market on a Saturday morning?

The Manolo is the fan of the Ecco, as being the non-loathsome comfort shoe that would work well for the farmers market kicking. Indeed, he has recommended the Ecco shoes on several occasions in the past.

As for what he would recommend at this moment…

Biom Lite from Ecco

Here is the Biom Lite 1.3 from Ecco in the silver and purple, the techno-shoe the Manolo does not hate! Indeed, the Manolo finds it’s futuristic Maryjane-Jetson look to be both amusing and appealing.

This is the sort of shoe that begs to be worn with the yoga pants to the farmers market, where you will buy the half-dozen, $4-each, ersatz cronuts “for brunch on the patio”, three of which you will hurriedly eat by yourself in the front seat of your car while driving home.

AUG
2013 07
Bargains, Sandals

Manolo’s Late Night Bargain: Ash Shoes from Brand Boudoir

Manolo says, from the Brand Boudoir comes the many end-of-the-season bargains on the Ash Shoes, the French brand made in Italy, for the example…

Lucy Kitten Heel from Ash

This is the Lucy from Ash, the Cleopatra-inspired, kitten-heeled sandal that is selling for 57% off of the usual price.

Or, if you wish the flat heel…

Lui Flat Sandal from Ash

The Lui from Ash, silver flat sandal, selling for 60% off.

Both of these are the sort of sandals which will likely never go out of the style, and thus can be worn for many years to come.

AUG
2013 06
Boots

The Viviana from Hush Puppies: Who Let the Dogs Out?

Manolo says, one minute you are surfing through the luster-lacking shoe sites on the interwebs, being bored by the endless pictures of the clunky, dreary comfort-ish shoes, and the next, ayyyy!, you find out that the stodgy old Hush Puppies has gone all Fluevog!

Vivianna from Hush Puppies

This piece of retro-Victoriana is the Vivianna lace-up, side-zipper bootie, from the Hush Puppies.

The Manolo found this at the Shuperb site, and is now showing it to you, not because he especially admires it, but rather because it is the powerful evidence that the old dogs can learn the new tricks.

AUG
2013 03
Pumps/Court Shoes

Manolo’s Late Night Bargain: K&S Slingback Pumps

Manolo says, from the Manolo’s friends at the Sister Online comes the news that they are selling the K&S Shoes pumps at the good prices.

KS Shoes Slingback Pump2

For the Manolo’s American friends who do not know about the K&S Shoes, they are the old-timey, mid-market European shoe manufacturer, founded in the 1918 as Kennel und Schmenger, who have long been known for producing the well-made, if somewhat stodgy shoes. Lately, however, they have been updating their designs to make themselves more trendy and appealing. And it is working!

KS Shoes Slingback Pump2

These handsome, slingback pumps with the bow will become the Friday night, wardrobe staple, especially since they are selling at 30% off of the usual price.

AUG
2013 02
Burberry, Sandals

Manolo the Columnist: Portman from Burberry

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

Dear Manolo,

My best friend since grade school is getting married for the second time, in Key West, in what she’s describing as a “very informal” ceremony. I know I’m supposed to wear sandals, but I need help with this. I’m not sure which kind.

Sarah

Manolo says, the Manolo cannot help it, but when the Manolo hears the words “Key West wedding “ he immediately thinks “gay pirate themed,” with the Right Reverend Captain Blackbeard the Bear officiating.

But, that is only the first problem, the second is that the Manolo hesitates to imagine what the phrase “very informal” means in the context of the Key West, where the physicians at the local urgent clinic have been known to greet the patients bare-chested, Papa Hemingway style, with the fruity daiquiri in the one hand and the stethoscope in the other.

Thus, the Manolo has many, many questions. For the example, clearly, the shoes will be optional at this wedding, likely the shirts, too. But what about the pants? Would cargo shorts be considered overly dressy? Will the swim up bar be hosted? Since the Manolo has been lead to believe that gay pirates are the mandatory part of the Key West wedding, is it okay if they only act as ushers, rather than as the groomsmen and bridesmaids?

Here is the Portman thong sandal from Burberry in the silverly color described as Metallic Trench, which since it is the end of the sandal season is half off the usual price at Zappos.

Portman Sandal from Burberry

JUL
2013 31
Flats, Shoes

The FitFlop, Part II

Yoko Frilly Sandal from FitFlop

Manolo says, the Manolo has been hearing from many of his friends that he should take the FitFlop more seriously, that it is not the mere gimmick designed by the unscrupulous shoe trolls working on the “greater fool” theory, but the actual beneficial shoe-based magic (+2 boot of toning) produced by ancient wizards who live in the enchanted forests of Candyland.

“But, Manolo, the friends say, the FitFlops are soooooo comfortable.”

To which the Manolo replies, “so are the cardboard boxes filled with the goose feathers.”

“But Manolo, look at the Mozimo shoe store, they have many more styles than just the sandals. Take a look at these ballet pumps.”

FitFlop Due Ballet Pumpfitflop-ballerina2

“Perhaps,” answers the Manolo, “it is time for the Manolo to reemerge from his semi-retirement. It appears that his missionary work on the interwebs is not done.”

“Don’t you like it?”

“Like is such the strong word.”

“So, should I get myself a pair of FitFlops, Manolo?”

“Only if you regard your feet as the hateful appendages worthy of being shamed by whatever pieces of colorful flotsam are currently au courant.”

“Soooo, that’s a yes?”

“Yes.”

JUL
2013 30
Sneakers

Gola Classic Plimsolls

Manolo says, the Manolo loves the simple classic plimsolls from Gola, the ancient British sporting shoe company (sort of like the Converse) founded in the 1905.

gola-classics-womens-quota

For the Manolo, who have been the fan of the crazy colorful hi-tech running shoes, this simple plimsoll, the Quota in classic white, is the sort of athletic shoe that will not make you .

gola-classics-womens-quota-union-jack

If, however, you wish to express your excitement over the birth of George, the future King of England, then this Quota with the Union Jack would be the good choice.

JUL
2013 29
Horrors, Sandals

The FitFlop

Manolo says, many of the Manolo’s internet friends have been asking him about the supposedly very popular brand of the thong sandals.

“Manolo what do you think of the FitFlop?”

To which the Manolo replies: “Wah? The Flipflot?”

“No, Manolo, the FitFlop.”

“The FlitFlop?”

“No, no, no,” says the friend of the Manolo, “The Fit, F-I-T, Flop. It’s a type of flip flop sandal that tones you up as you walk on them.”

“Do not most shoes have this miraculous property,” answers the Manolo, “you walk the long distances in them and as the result you achieve the higher level of physical fitness.”

“Well, yes. But supposedly, you don’t have to walk as far in the FitFlop to achieve the same result.”

“Ah, so they are very, very heavy then, yes, like strapping the lead weights to your feets? For pumping the iron.”

“No. I don’t think so, Manolo. Anyway, these shoes they’re really cute, and they help you tone up. Cool, huh?”

“Really cute? Really?”

“Really cute. Look, here’s some FitFlops from Shoetique. What do you think, Manolo?.”

FitFlop Fluer Mineral Red

“Do you wish the Manolo to honestly opine about this,” asks the Manolo.

“Yes, of course.”

“It looks like the orthopedic shoe for hippies.”

“But, that’s the whole point, it tones you up as you walk in them.”

“Are you perhaps familiar with the name Charles MacKay?”

“No, who?”

“Oh, nobody.”

JUL
2013 29
Sandals, Wedges

Cherry-Fuchsia Wedge Sandals for the Monday

Manolo says, it is Monday and you are back at your desk, slaving away for the Man, making hay for the ImEmTechCo, Inc, while the sun doth shine.

Lately, however, you are coming to the realization that perhaps you are trading your salad years for the mess of corporate pottage.

Yes, you have the roof over your head, and the organic food on your table, but you are finding that reporting in each morning for another spin on the hamster wheel is not as fulfilling as you had hoped it would be when you were hired, lo, these many years ago.

This is why you have lately been considering starting your own business. Either corporate consulting in your field or the cupcake bakery, although, frankly, you are worried that the cupcakes have peaked, which why the thoughts of mini-bundt cakes keeps swimming unbidden into your noggin.

Remember your friend Jilly, who left the very big-deal job as the lawyer to start her own quilting shop? It all happened the year after she won the second place ribbon at the state fair for her unorthodox triptych quilt depicting the life and works of Sir William Blackstone.

Next thing you know, she had sent in her notice, cashed out part of her retirement, and opened the “Gilded Needle Quilt Shoppe” in the converted Victorian two blocks up from Main Street in this twee little town filled with antique stores.

And now, five hard years later, she works mostly as the public defender, and has almost entirely given up the quilting.

You know, maybe the problem is that it is summer time and you are stuck indoors. Maybe you need to think about the flippy-fun, summery wedge sandals with the cork soles.

Lotus Fuchsia Wedge Sandal

From the Lotus, this is the Cherry-Fuchsia Corsage Wedge Sandal, which may well be the cure for what ails you.

JUL
2013 26
Flats, Isaac Mizrahi

Manolo the Columnist: Katherine 3 from Isaac Mizrahi New York

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

Dear Manolo,

I’m a brand new teacher of middle school students, so I need some comfortable, yet affordable and stylish shoes to wear to work. Please help.

Lauren

Manolo says, oh how the Manolo admires the young, idealistic new teachers filled with hope and the indomitable spirit. They are so eager to get into the classroom and start teaching, so convinced that the World will be theirs for asking.

Unfortunately, the World has other plans for our new teacher, plans which mostly involve wrestling her into submission right after homeroom, giving her the noogie, and taking away her lunch money.

Yes, it is true, the World is both the poor student who never learns and the terrible bully who causes all sorts of trouble. Indeed, over and over again, the principal has sent letters home to the World’s parents . . . letters which went completely unanswered. And, who can forget that one time the school district suspended the World for his bad behavior? He just waited outside the gate of the schoolyard, glowering through the chainlink fence at everyone whom he felt had wronged him.

Happily, most of us who reach the age of the middle have learned how to manage with the World, but for the new teacher of middle schoolers, well, we can only wish her the best.

Here is the Katherine 3 from the Isaac Mizrahi New York, the cheery blue ballet flat suitable for the new teacher.

Katherine 3 from Isaac Mizrahi New York

JUL
2013 26
Bargains, Prada

Manolo’s Late Night Bargain: Prada Gold-Tone Logo Loafer

Prada Gold-Tone Logo Loafers in White

Manolo says, yes, this magnificent specimen of Park Avenue Prada-tude is the little bit old ladyish, but the Manolo should not have to remind you that, according to the Times of the New York, this is the year of the frump. Which means that if you cannot wear these handsome shoes now, when can you? When you are the dowager countess?

And look! They are on the sale, more than $470 off of the usual price!