Manolo the Columnist: Air Marcella Flat Sandal from Cole Haan
Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post.
0Dear Manolo,
My husband and I are ditching our DC Jobs, packing up our lives, and taking a year off to travel through Southeast Asia. It will be hot, probably messy, and we’ll be on our feet all day. And I will die if I am forced to wear Keens, Chacos, or other clunky sport utility sandal out of a lack of options that don’t sacrifice form for features. Are there cute, supportive, dare-I-dream even gladiator-y sandals for the REI-phobe packing heels in her backpack?
Kat
Manolo says, frankly, the Manolo does not fully understand the allure of the backpack travel.“But, Manolo,” say the friends of the Manolo, “it is romantic and liberating. You can go where you want, when you want.”
To which the Manolo replies, “Yes, when you backpack you are free to travel like the wind, weighed down by nothing more than the ninety pounds of dirty laundry you are carrying on your back.”
Oh, how the Manolo wishes for the return of the civilized travel, when the people of gentle breeding were able to pack up several dozen changes of clothing, top hats, kid gloves, patent leather shoes, and spats into the steamer trunk.
Later, when we reached our destination, we would “rough it” by changing into our safari clothes while the native bearers carried the trunks to our first campsite, where the gin and tonics would be awaiting our arrival.
Now, instead of travelling like civilized peoples in barbarian lands, we travel like barbarians in civilized places.
Here is the Cole Haan Air Marcella Flat Sandal in black, the gladiator sandal with the comfort in mind.
Comments
kat 11 years ago
bravo Manolo! Thank you!
LIsa from SoCal 11 years ago
These are quite cute, but shove a pair of Tevas in your backpack as SE Asia is a very very wet place during certain parts of the year. You will want some river sandals. Alternatively, much of the cloth feet wear sold there will help you if you get desperate.
Lisa 11 years ago
“Now, instead of travelling like civilized peoples in barbarian lands, we travel like barbarians in civilized places.”
I couldn’t agree more! Bravo, sir.
Madame Suggia 11 years ago
May I suggest that you get yourself some thong or slide-type footwear (nothing nasty, maybe something in leather from someone like this
http://www.etsy.com/shop/tuto?ref=seller_info
because in the far east you’ll be removing your footwear to enter temples/homes/some stores & restaurants on a very regular basis. Add a small pack of wet-wipes to your everyday bag and you’re good.
Also, don’t pack a lot of clothing, laundry is cheap and efficient and quite frankly it’s a little something you can do for the local economy. In a very small way I know, but it all adds up…
venus velvet 11 years ago
Birkenstocks’ Gizeh sandals are cute and have a supportive sole for lots of walking. I buy them a full size smaller and break them in gradually.
http://www.zappos.com/gizeh
venus velvet 11 years ago
Birkenstock Gizeh sandals are cute and good for lots of walking. I buy them a full size smaller and break them in gradually,
http://www.zappos.com/gizeh
Nancy 11 years ago
I love these orthotics. They are thin and nearly transparent, therefore practically invisible even with backless sandals. They attach to the inside of the shoe by a square of velcro so they don’t slip out.
http://www.goodfeet.com/products/arch-supports/the-flex/
oliviacw 11 years ago
Keens and the like are not alway clunky – check out this ankle-wrap sandal: http://www.zappos.com/keen-emerald-city-ankle-black?zlfid=111&recoName=zap_pdp_cross&zfcTest=fw:0
Mark Long 11 years ago
“Now, instead of travelling like civilized peoples in barbarian lands, we travel like barbarians in civilized places”.
Sublime
Dana 11 years ago
I was wearing Tevas in Sea-Tac on my way back from Hawaii when I read this. I have never worn them on airplanes before and I swear upon a stack of The Consolation of the Shoes, I will never do it again!
Keren 11 years ago
Consider checking out Tsubos–several cute and low-maintenance offerings. Also, the Melissa line from Vivienne Westwood offers some flats and other low-heel shoes that are basically plastic jelly shoes, so can get muddy and be rinsed off to get clean, while still being Fashion.