Dear Manolo: Say No to Old Man Toes

I'd like to get my father a pair of shoes for Father's Day. I'm considering a pair of good-quality leather sandals. What do you think?
— MELISSA

MANOLO SAYS, what does the Manolo think about the "mandals"? In the word, "ugh."

Trust the Manolo: No one wishes to see the 60-year-old man toes. Not even your mother — who has spent the lifetime in love with this nice man with the weird ear hair — wishes to see your father's toes. Why else would she give him the same pair of the J.C. Penney slippers every year for Christmas?

No, it is much better to give your father one of the traditional gifts of the day, such as the tie with the pictures of the trouts on it, or the book of Civil War history written by that man in the bad suit you saw on C-SPAN.

Perhaps the Melissa is one of those peoples who feel they must absolutely break with the traditions. Very well, in this case the Manolo recommends the Newports by the Keen ($101, Zappos.com), as being the sporty and manly footgear which is sandal-like, and yet does not expose the unsightly man toes to the wider world. These popular shoes will also make your father feel hip, without making him seem ridiculous.

Each week, Manolo the shoeblogger answers your pressing shoe questions. Ask the Manolo a question at manolo@shoeblogs.com. Visit the Manolo at shoeblogs.com.

Photo courtesy zappos.com