Manolo's Shoe Blog

AUG
2013 09

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

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?”…

AUG
2013 08

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… Here is the Biom Lite 1.3 from Ecco in the silver and…

AUG
2013 07

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… 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… 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

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! 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

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. 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! These handsome, slingback pumps with the bow will become the Friday night, wardrobe staple,…

AUG
2013 02

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…

JUL
2013 31

The FitFlop, Part II

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…

JUL
2013 30

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. 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 . 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

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…

JUL
2013 29

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…

JUL
2013 26

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…

JUL
2013 26

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

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!