Dear Manolo: Shoes To Make Me Hardcore

Dear Manolo:

I've fallen for a guy who's my opposite. Me: a first-year associate at a white-shoe law firm. Him: the lead singer in a emo-core band. The problem is that I have to emo-up my look so I don't stand out so much when I go to his shows. What would you recommend? — Monica

MANOLO SAYS, the Manolo imagines that if he were the first-year law associate, submerged in the dreary sub-basement of his firm, buried under that mountain of meaningless petty paperwork which is the diet of the new lawyer, the Manolo would, like Keats, also find himself half in love with "easeful death," or perhaps Morrissey, which is the next best thing.

Likewise, at the end of each summer, the festive crowds gather on the boulevards in front of the Manolo's pied-A-terre, waiting for the Manolo to emerge, boutonnière in place, walking stick in hand, to opine on the suitability of white feetwear after the Day of Labor.

And as far as the rock 'n' roll fashions go, the emo movement is not the most egregiously offensive, as long as one can ignore the drippy, asymmetrical, dyed-black-hair-in-the-eyes thing. What is there not to like about drainpipe black jeans and the black T-shirt? It is low-maintenance, stylish and yet dreary enough to satisfy the most devoted lover of My Chemical Romance or Tokio Hotel. As for the feetwear, the Manolo would recommend the Converse, John Varvatos Vintage Court Slip-ons ($95, Zappos.com). The Manolo owns the pair of these, so you know they must be good!

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