Cole Haan Sandals

Braiden High Loafer from Cole Haan 

I’ve just landed my first real post-college job, as a research assistant with a think tank. (I won’t say which one, I’ll just tell you that my male coworkers mostly wear bowties and quote Chesterton a lot.) As a

consequence, I need a new professional wardrobe, especially shoes. I need something traditional and not too expensive.

Emily

Manolo says, one of the things that has long amused and entertained the Manolo is how the various political tribes and sub-tribes of the Washington, D.C. identify themselves through their clothing and habits.

If you tell the Manolo that you are working at the thinking tank with the bowtie-wearing gentlemen of the Chestertonian persuasion, he will tell you that the conversation around the luncheon table involves the vigorous discussions of the Laffer curve marginal tax rates, fly-fishing in Montana, and the perfidious behavior of the tyrants at the Department of Energy.

If, however, you say that you are working at the place where everyone who is not driving the Prius to work, instead rides the recumbent bicycle, then the Manolo will tell you that you spend most of the day arguing about how best to bring the head of Exxon/Monsanto/Dick Cheney to justice in front of the tribunal of the people.

Sadly, despite what you may have heard, you can judge the book by its cover, especially if it is wearing the Birkenstocks on its feets, or the bowtie at its neck.

Here is the Braiden High Loafer from the Cole Haan in the attractive maple sugar suede finish with the little kiltie detail, exactly the sort of shoe of which Chesterton would have approved.