I HAVE A lovely, warm cruise on my schedule this winter. I'd like to find an unusual pair of sandals to take, but I want them to be U.S.-made. Any ideas?
MANOLO SAYS: Sadly, at least for the person who is looking for the stylish sandals to wear on the cruise, most of these high-quality American feetwear companies specialize in boots, and not just the cowboy boots either.
The best and most rugged work boots in the world are produced in America by such companies as Frye, Wolverine, Whites Boots and West Coast Shoes, the nearly century-old family firm in Oregon, which uses American leather to custom-make the world's best pole climber, forest ranger and motorcycle cop boots; in other words, serious shoes for serious occupations.
I LIVE IN Boston, which has had snow already this year. I need boots that can withstand slushy streets and salty sidewalks. I have rejected all Ugg-liness, but my feet have been cold, since every pair of boots I find seems made for the abominable snow monster. I need something walkable for less than $200.
MANOLO SAYS, for much of the country, winter has arrived far too early this year, pushing us out of our fantastically trendy but thin-sided boots into footwear fit for an Ernest Shackleton expedition. And while such footwear may insure that your toes do not turn black and fall off while you are waiting for the bus, they also insure that the young men who are waiting for the bus with you will refer to you as "Dude," as in, "Dude, whatcha say we get a brewski, watch the Celtics game and chase some ladies?"
I'VE BEEN LIVING in Central Asia for the past six years, so I've been out of the fashion loop and don't know what's in style. I have a denim pencil skirt that I wore with slides in summer. But what do I do now that it's cooler? I tried it with boots, but it looked like I had on Wellingtons and a gunnysack. At least I know that the hippie thing is a faux pas.
Manolo says, the way the Manolo's friend has described her exile, it is as if she were the movie star trapped on Gilligan's Island, without access to Vogue or basic cable television.
And now the rescue boat has arrived, and she realizes that she has been wearing the same out-of-date, peach-colored Bob Mackie gown the whole six years.
I'M OFF TO study abroad in London beginning this January. My travel books tell me to expect rain, rain, rain, but my beloved Pucci Wellies neither fit into my suitcase nor the London fashion scene. Do you have any suggestions for some fab footwear that will get me from my flat to class and through all of the puddles in between? I'm looking for something under $200 — after all, a girl needs a little extra cash for shopping in Paris!
Manolo says, London? What better place to shop for the new pair of Wellingtons, than in the place where they were invented!
Of the course, given the rapidity with which the American dollar has weakened over the past few months, by the time the Manolo's friend arrives at Heathrow, $200 will be just enough to purchase the lamentably English meal of baked beans and strange sausages, with perhaps enough left over for the side dish of Marmite.
DO YOU HAVE any suggestions for a young, super-queer college girl looking for nifty brogue shoes? I'd like them non-bulky and with lots of detailing to add to my small footwear collection. Unfortunately, the only brogues I can find for ladies tend to have towering heels attached. These, like almost all of the trappings of modern femininity, make me deeply uncomfortable in a place near my pancreas. — Anna
Manolo says, the Manolo's Sapphic friend probably does not read the fashion magazines (those pancreas-paining bastions of retrograde femininity), for if she had, she would know that we are currently in the middle of The Brogue Moment.
Indeed, the various street fashion blogs are replete with photos of waifish girls in mannish shoes and rolled-up jeans, androgynously going about their business.
And this is how fashion works. One minute you are the sensibly shod, butch girl, the next you are the leading edge of the fashion parade.
But, do not be disturbed by this. If fashion follows true to form, by next week they will be onto something else, like dainty ballet slippers or wooden clogs.
Here is the Elsbeth leather oxford from J. Crew ($225, Jcrew.com), the non-bulky brogues with beautiful cap-toe detailing.
Each week, Manolo the shoe blogger answers your pressing shoe questions. Ask the Manolo a question at manolo@shoeblogs.com. Visit the Manolo at shoeblogs.com.
Photo courtesy Zappos
I HAVE TICKETS to attend the Metropolitan Opera in December. I want to get dressed up, but I don't want to be cold or uncomfortable walking around New York on the way to and from the event. Do you have a suggestion for a pair of shoes that says "dressed up" but also "winter?" — Elizabeth
Manolo says, how nice to see that there are young peoples who are still taking the interest in the opera! The Manolo had begun to believe that it was only the fogies of oldness, such as himself, who still cared.
Of the course, one of the minor pleasures of aging is being able to complain about the cultural Philistinism of the young peoples.
You know, sort of like, "These truculent whippersnappers racing their jalopies down to the drugstore and getting themselves all het up over that Bing Crosby on the jukebox, thinking Jolson isn't good enough for them. Why, it's the end of Western civilization, I tell you!"
Of the course, the first opera whippersnappers undoubtedly had their coachmen race their carriages down to the opera house, where they got all het up over Mozart and thought Gregorian chant wasn't good enough for them.
Look! Here is the Sebbie from Kate Spade ($329, Zappos.com), the elegant pump with exactly the right amount of understated ornamentation.
Each week, Manolo the shoe blogger answers your pressing shoe questions. Ask the Manolo a question at manolo@shoeblogs.com. Visit the Manolo at shoeblogs.com.
Photo courtesy Zappos
I'M A 20-SOMETHING Brooklyn girl in search of the perfect leather boot. I need something that will work from fall to spring, that I can wear uptown to work, downtown to play, that can stand up to miles of walking around without killing my feet. I'm back on my feet after a layoff, so I'd like to celebrate with an appropriately practical, classic and useful purchase.
— Shanna
Manolo says, this heartfelt plea poses the serious philosophical question: Is there such the thing as the perfect boot? Can one boot meet all of our many and varied boot-wearing needs?
The Manolo must answer, no, there is no such thing as the platonic, perfect-for-the-every-occasion boot. This is why God invented the shoe closet, so that we may store our perfect-for-walking-around-Manhattan boots next to our perfect-for-working-uptown boots, while we are wearing our perfect-for-downtown-playing boots.
Happily, although ultimate perfection may be beyond the reach of mortals, there are still good, general purpose boots that will satisfy most of your day-to-day needs.
I'M GOING ON A business trip to Japan. I've never been and have no idea what to wear when I'm not dressed in business attire.
— Linda
Manolo says, sadly, the Manolo has never been to Japan, Mysterious Land of the East, where people eat the raw fish and dress like Hello Kitty Lolita Samurai Warriors. Or perhaps like the Sailor Moon Gothic Rockabilly Shoguns. The Manolo cannot say for sure.
The problem is that the most popular Japanophile Web sites and magazines prefer to highlight unusual youth subcultures at the expense of the more mundane. And thus even though we who have never visited Japan can easily distinguish between six types of Japanese Lolitas (Classic Lolita, Gothic Lolita, Princess Lolita, Punk Lolita, Sweet Lolita, and Grotesque Lolita), we cannot tell you what ordinary people are wearing on their days off.
Continue Reading "Dear Manolo: Shoes for a Japanese Jaunt" »
I'VE ACCEPTED A JOB on the other side of the country. In honor of the move, I'm going to redo my image at the ripe age of 28. I want to be one of the cool kids. What do you recommend?
— Kristy
Manolo says, asking the Manolo to give advice on how to be cool is like asking Donald Trump for advice on how to be less vulgar. You may get the coherent answer, but you can be certain that its source is entirely theoretical.
Having said this, the Manolo notes that coolness is more about attitude than clothing, and, indeed, the coolest persons are often those whose dress is the most minimalistic. Consider Marlon Brando, who defined coolness dressed in nothing but the white T-shirt, Levi's 501s and Converse All-Stars. As you see, the leather motorcycle jacket, taken as the marker of the coolest of cats, is optional.
I'M A RECENTLY DIVORCED woman of a certain age. After months of being alone, I've decided to start dating again. But first, I need a new pair of boots to give me some confidence. I'm short, so I definitely need heels. Help!
— Angie
Manolo says, as the Manolo discovered long ago, one of the easiest ways to boost one's self-confidence is by wearing beautiful, well-made shoes. With the truly super-fantastic shoes, one is able to stand taller, walk straighter and project the image of confidence and vitality that are the key ingredients of the sexy appeal.
By the comparison, ugly and poorly made shoes bring the wearer down, causing one to lumpily schlump around like the water buffalo. Put on the pair of cheap plastic clogs, and you are saying to the world, "I love sweatpants and Doritos, and long romantic rides on my mobility scooter." Hardly the message one wishes to convey to the wider world, much less the potential mate.
Addison Road