Manolo the Columnist

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

Dear Manolo,

I just got invited to hang with a friend at the Sundance Film Festival, and as a native of the DC Metro area I jumped at it. I hate missing the Inauguration, but the crowds—yikes! Anyway, my friend promised there would be snowboarding, good food, and a party with celebrities. He says it’s going to be cold so I should wear boots. All I have are hot stiletto-heeled boots and crunchy granola hiking boots. What would you recommend?

Lillbet

Manolo says, ayyyy! Such good luck to be invited to the fantabulous Sundance Festival of Films, where the high and the mighty of Hollywood, hob and nob with each other and with the swirling mob of aspiring independent filmmakers, each of whom is desperately attempting to find the distributor for his or her strangely familiar master work.

In the space of the few days, one will be able to see many movies about sassy pregnant teenagers in the suburban upper Midwest; raunchy-but-good-hearted sex comedies about loutish men who in real life would be doomed to solitude; talky movies about drug addicts/mental patients who are mathematical/musical geniuses; and at least one picture about the gay gauchos who express their forbidden love amidst the majestic scenery of the Argentine pampas.

Look here is the Tabitha from La Canadienne. So cute, so weatherproof!

Comments

Sally So 16 years ago

I love those boots, they look so warm and snug

Jennifer L. 16 years ago

It is good to have the Manolo back after the much needed holiday respite. Happy New Year to the Manolo and all the Internet friends. It is wonderful to be a part of this community of “fashintelligencia.”

carefulnow 16 years ago

Why are these better than Uggs?

rb 16 years ago

I love those boots and would seriously buy them if I spent more than one day per year in the snow. (the fact that I don’t makes the marginal cost a little high, don’t you think.)

Style Eyes 16 years ago

A great alternative to Uggs. I love these boots, they look really cosy, but stylish too

Miss Cavendish 16 years ago

Those are very pretty boots, and from a wonderful country :-), but it would drive me mad that the seams on the fleece in back do not match up (in this photo, anyway).

Mi Fashion Blog 16 years ago

I’m afraid that these beauties aren’t going to tear me away from my Uggs!

etherealHeaven 16 years ago

hi friend! U have a very nice site. would U mind if we xlinks? pls let me know if U want to..thanks ^_^

Angela Simmons 16 years ago

Those are nice! Reminds me of Uggs but those look more adorable. Are they made from lamb wool too?

La Petite Acadienne 16 years ago

These are MUCH nicer-looking than Uggs. They actually have some structure, style and shape to them, whereas Uggs, after they’ve been worn about 4 times, start looking like a baggy, dirty stretched-out sweatsock.

But I’m sure they’re very comfortable. ;)

16 years ago

I have a couple pair of LaCanadienne boots and I can attest to their quality in harsh winter conditions. I live in Canada and I see first hand what happens to UGGS in real winter weather and they just can’t take the stress of the weather. They become worse than useless, they actually can be a hazard. Those boots are designed for winter is far better than UGGS. Why are these better than UGGS? Because for all their woolly warmth, and no matter ho many times you spray them with spray, UGGS do not stand up to harsh winter weather. Snow isn’t fluffy like shown in snow bunny ski movies, it’s heavy, cold and mostly it’s wet especially when it melts, which it will do while you are outside. UGGS become soaking wet, the salt used to melt ice damages the suede, and the treads are useless in icy conditions. Cold, wet boots can lead to frostbite, which is a serious problem. UGGS aren’t designed for the truly harsh sub zero temperatures that places like we get in Canada and the rocky mountain states. The boots recommended by The Manolo are treated to be waterproof, the salt easily brushes off without damaging the boot. The boots are lined and interlined with extra warm materials and the insoles reflect the foot’s heat back at the feet to help keep the foot warm. Finally, the soles is treaded, the same way snow tires have special treads, these have more grip on the snow and ice and can prevent slips, falls and serious injuries.

daisyj. 16 years ago

anon- Well said!

Anne 16 years ago

Where UGGS ever designed to be snow boots? I thought they were originally post-surf boots, only meant to deal with sand & ocean cold, not Canada snow cold. Not that I’m a fan of UGGS, but I’ve never thought of them as serious cold weather boots.

angelhair 16 years ago

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Anne is correct. UGGS were not designed as snow boots but were first worn by surfers. They’re warm and soft and comfortable and are very much like slippers with a hard sole.

I know that UGGS are much decried by the fashion police. They do make your feet look like potatoes. But they do serve a purpose. There’s nothing better for throwing on quickly (no socks necessary) for those early morning or late night dog walks. And on bitter cold days without snow (mostly what we have in NYC) they’re just very warm and comfy for wearing around the neighborhood doing errands. I’ll probably always have a pair of UGGS. But it’s key to wear them when appropriate (i.e., in the park with the dog). If you’re dealing with freezing rain or heavy snow then you’ll need something else.

susan 16 years ago

Those shoes are adorable. They look so warm and soft. Those would be nice here in the mountain of Utah.

VeddyVeddyBadAng 16 years ago

I bought a pair of Bearpaw Nordas this fall as a comfy, warm pair of fleece-lined boots that I could throw on quickly with no socks, and wear out shopping and into the snow. I love the La Canadiennes, but they were too expensive and tall for what I was looking for. I think the ones I got are a really good and less-expensive alternative to UGGS. Plus, you can wear them in public and not be embarrassed!

La BellaDonna 16 years ago

La BellaDonna can attest that La Canadienne boots, they are beautiful, they are sturdy, they are comfortable! They are the excellent investment for the moneys for the woman who wishes to be warm and dry, with the comfortable feets that nonetheless do not look orthopedic (even if the orthopedicness, it is necessary). She salutes her Canadian brothers and sisters for producing the most excellent cold-weather offering! Muchas besos also for the very stylish headwear, as well! Many of the American milliners offer the lovely hats, but the Canadian hats often are more affordable for the stylish but poverty-stricken.

ShoeHunting 16 years ago

Those are adorable!!! And they look very durable, too. No contest between these and Uggs!

Ethical Earth Shoes 16 years ago

They look much better then Uggs thats for sure! Very stylish – I would buy them.