Dear Manolo: Often a Bridesmaid

Dear Manolo:

One of my friends is getting married for the second time in October, in what she says will be a "simple wedding" of "only 100 guests." I'm a bridesmaid. The dress (a pumpkin shade) is especially unflattering. The good news is we can buy our own shoes. Help! — Marie

MANOLO SAYS: It is the old story, your best friend is getting married for the more-than first time, and you are supposed to be the bridesmaid (again!), only the dress the bride has chosen for you is unsightly. But you are the good friend, and so you button up your tongue and hold your lips, expressing your discomfort through the passive-aggressive use of quotation marks (including those which you make by wiggling your fingers in the air) and by talking smack behind everyone's back.

Ayyyy! The Manolo suggests that you remember that this is your friend's big day, and that your cheery and supportive demeanor and lack of air quotes are the greatest gifts you can give to her. Besides, you can soothe the pain with beautiful shoes, such as these sandals, the Tantalize from Stuart Weitzman ($315, Zappos.com).

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Photo courtesy Zappos.com