In Comes the Tan

I wouldn't normally do a post with a picture of shoes two days in a row, but that's the way it's worked out. Yesterday felt like Spring and Spring means tan shoes.

You see, storage dictates that I rotate suits and shoes as the seasons change. This weekend, two pair of dark brown shoes got replaced with tan in the active rotation, so they can be worn with warm weather's lighter colored suits. And next week I'll put another pair of dark brown into storage and bring out a pair of chestnut.

The same goes for suits. I'm starting to put away my heaviest winter weight things and bring out one or two mid-weights each week.

Whether a man has one closet or several of them, there are a couple principles for seasonal rotation. Items that aren't going to be worn for several months should be repaired, cleaned and either boxed or bagged until they are needed again. That way, when they it's time to wear them they should need nothing more than a touch of steam or polish.

One trip to the shine stand and the Cardiffs in the photo were back in business below a pair of mid-weight gray flannels and a navy odd jacket.