Katie Tobin
@ Tattoo
Q:How do you keep your life clean?
A:"I don't own any cars and I do almost all my shopping from farmers markets."
I LIKE A WOMAN who has beautiful feet, but unexciting taste in shoes. I had the great idea to buy her a pair of heels as a gift, and I need your help. I'm looking for something hot and sexy to make other men jealous, but of course with her comfort in mind. What do you think? —Peter
Manolo says, generally, the Manolo counsels against the man giving shoes to the woman as the surprise gift, mainly because of the problem of sizing. However, in this case, it is clear that the Manolo's friend has closely studied the shapely sexy feets of his fine, fine lady, and thus is probably well acquainted with their needs.
Sadly, even with that, the Manolo's friend is somewhat deluded if he thinks the Manolo, the mere mortal man, can find him the super-sexy-hot comfort shoe. Such miraculous holy relics exist only in the medieval fantasy world of valiant Arthurian knights in service to chaste maidens. And, like the Holy Grail, these will-o'-the-wisp will always be just beyond the grasp of all but the purest-hearted. Still, as Sir Percival can tell you, sometimes the quest for perfection is everything. Look, here is the E90341 from Guiseppe Zanotti ($716, Zappos.com), the costly but exceedingly beautiful crystal and patent leather sandal. Is it comfortable? Who knows! Is it sexy? Yes, emphatically!
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
MY SON GRADUATES from the eighth grade next week at a pricey private school, paid for mostly by my ex, who will be there with his bride, who is 18 years his junior. I would like to avoid it, but my son needs me. Any shoes to make me confident? — Eve
Manolo says, outside of nightmares in which you are forced to take the final exam in quantum physics ("But I majored in English!") while wearing nothing but bunny slippers, encountering the ex and his cheerleader-cum-bride is the most uncomfortable situation imaginable.
On the one of the hands, you wish to crawl under the floorboards and die. On the other of the hands, you wish to cause someone else to die and stash the corpse under the floorboards. On the third of the hands, you know that you must put aside your desire to drive your minivan over his new sports car, so that your son can enjoy his big day. The only way to conduct oneself is to be aloof and above it all with the Platswoon from Stuart Weitzman ($325, Zappos.com).
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
AFTER SIX YEARS at the same job, I have been laid off. I have some money, and my expenses are not too high, so I'm OK for a bit. But before I start looking for work, I'd like to buy some business pumps. I've budgeted $200. — Marianna
Manolo says, ayyyyyy! You have the Manolo''s sympathy. Such terrible news!
Or is it? This last week, the article appeared in the Los Angeles Times about the youthful ex-workers who have found that being out of work was the best thing ever, for they could engage in hobbies with which employment interfered, such as surfing and mountain biking. This trend was not unemployment; it was "funemployment."
Funemployment! What could be more American? To make barely palatable lemonade from the most shriveled of lemons! Of the course, for most of us, funemployment means we will have time to spend rooting in the dumpster behind Whole Foods looking for carrots that are not yet brown. Fun! Here is the Olivia from Prari, the handsome pump ($155, Zappos.com). And, look! They are on sale!
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
THIS WEEKEND, I will take my veterinary specialty boards. Shortly after that, I'm moving to San Francisco to start my new job. I need funky, fabulous, shoes fit for my bohemian city but comfy enough for 12-hour days. Sadly, I am cursed with wide feet and calves. Help me! — Carrie
Manolo says, congratulations to you, who has achieved the first part of every 10-year-old girl's dream life, (the second part of which is best described as "Professional Equestrian and Prima Ballerina Married to Zac Efron"). Anyone who has achieved such success after one of the most grueling and intense courses of study deserves the reward, and nothing says, "I honor my own accomplishments" quite like the fabulous and vaguely bohemian pair of comfort shoes. Look, here is the Kumfs Cruise ($179, Zappos.com), suede Mary Janes from the funky brand of wide-width shoes from New Zealand.
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 IN LOVE. The object of my desire has no idea. I'm planning on telling him, but I am scared (and too young to purchase liquid courage). I need shoes that are cute, flirty and comfortable, in case I need to run and cry in a bathroom after possible rejection. Can you point me in the right direction? — Elizabeth
Ayyy! The Manolo says, as the immortal, if somewhat-tone deaf, Tab Hunter sang in his 1957 smash hit, "They say for every boy and girl, there's just one love in this whole world, and I know I've found mine ... Young Love. First Love."
Frankly, the Manolo prefers the 1959 Connie Francis version, as the lyrics, "just one kiss from your sweet lips, will tell me that your love is real," are immensely more poignant when sung by the female, thus capturing, as they do, the exact difficulty of being the romantic young woman in the modern world.
On the one of the hands, the modern young women of feeling is now sometimes required to tell that big lunk with the baseball cap on backward exactly how she feels.
And yet, on the other of the hands, the result may be disappointment, or, to quote Connie Francis again, "Stupid Cupid, you're a real mean guy."
Look, here are the Demara from BCBGirls ($110, Zappos.com), the strappy platform sandal in the lovely rose color. They are also sold in the soft brown hue.
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
AT 40, I AM A LAWYER and an about-to-be divorced mother to a 6-year-old son. I need shoes that will lighten the stresses on my soul, fun shoes that I can wear with capri pants to the playground that will tell the other mothers that, even though I am an underpaid single mother, I still rock in my soul. — Monica
Manolo says, ever since he wrote about the curative power of shoes the few weeks ago, he has been receiving letters such as this. It is because Dr. Manolo, specialist in medicine of the broken heart, refuses to put the sugar-coating on the bitter pills he prescribes. If you wish to wash that man right out of your hair, go shoe shopping.
No time to wallow in self-pity! Rush to the nearest shoe sale, stat! This is the emergency! Can you not see that this woman needs shoes? Here is the Vera from Kate Spade ($160,Zappos.com), the pom-pom skimmer in red tumbled leather. Dr. Manolo says take two of these and call your best friend in the morning to gloat.
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 WILL SOON receive my graduate degree. What better occasion for fantastic shoes than this day? I want something with presence, a shoe with exuberance, panache and substance.
— Suzy
Manolo says, the Manolo hopes that his soon-to-be newly graduated friend has the gainful employment awaiting her at the end of her exuberantly panacheful walk across the stage of education. Otherwise, it is out into the recessionary world where jobs are scarce, and every cappuccino jockey and movie-theater usher has the doctorate in comparative literature. And these are the lucky ones, as the philosophy majors are standing on the street corners with cardboard signs announcing their availability to "engage in Kantian dialectics for food."
The Manolo hopes his friend's new degree is in something more useful, like bankruptcy studies or post-structural penny-pinching. Here is the round-toed pump from Marc by Marc Jacobs ($264, Zappos.com). These panache-laden shoes are not your typical stiletto dealio. And they are on sale! You can begin your new life on the note of fiscal responsibility.
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
MY BOSS INVITED me to spend Memorial Day weekend at his beach house on the Eastern Shore. I'm worried about making a good impression, since I'm from Kansas, where people don't have beach houses — Ashley
Manolo says, how lucky to be invited to spend time in this fairy tale land of crab cakes and picturesquely crusty old Chesapeake watermen. Not as stuffy as the coast of New England, nor (outside of Ocean City) as oppressively blighted with the mini golf courses and gimcrack souvenir shops as further south, the Eastern Shore is the exact right blend of Atlantic Americana.
As for what the Kansas girl should wear, the Manolo recommends going the little bit preppy. That sweater draped over her pastel polo shirt will come in handy in the cool coastal evenings, just as those boat shoes will keep her from falling into the water when she visits the rustic crab shack.
Of the course, being somewhat preppy does not preclude wearing cute sandals for the Saturday night at the famous crab restaurant, where you will dine like Maryland royalty on crab salad, crab cakes and crab-berry shortcake. Look — here is the McKim from Lilly Pulitzer ($142, Zappos.com).
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
MY BOYFRIEND just broke it off with me. I've finally convinced myself that he was a jerk, but I still need consoling. Can you recommend some shoes that will ease my pain? — Roseanne
Manolo says, it is clear that the Manolo's friend understands one of the undeniable truths of life: that shoes are among the most powerful analgesics known to womankind. Indeed, few things can alleviate romantic heartache and depression as quickly as shopping for the new pair of shoes.
Strangely, the curative power of shoe shopping is little recognized by modern science.
Today, more often then not, if one goes to the psychiatrist to complain about the broken heart, one comes away with the fistful of antidepressants and the head filled with Dr. Freud's banalities, when what is really needed is the following: one's best friends, the quart of high-end Rocky Road and Saks Fifth Avenue's shoe department. Repeat treatment as indicated.
Continue Reading "Dear Manolo: Shoes to Mend a Broken Heart" »
I'VE BEEN SURPRISED that gladiator sandals continue to be trendy. I'm now powerfully tempted to get some. But are they appropriate for a woman over 35? — Gloria
» Manolo says, the Manolo is also surprised that the sandals of the gladiators continue to be fashionable long after the empire waist of the previous seasons has declined and fallen.
But such is the state of the world in which we now find ourselves; retailers avoid taking risks on unproven items by selling subtle variations of previous seasons' winners, just as consumers are more concerned with getting their money's worth out of costly items.
Addison Road