Customs are all well and good, but as Miles Davis said to Rahsaan Roland Kirk, "everybody gotta change." That's why I have decided that I will no longer observe the no-white-shoes-before-Memorial-Day "rule." I am moving the annual inaugural wearing of white shoes back to April 22nd, Earth Day. Henceforth, white shoes may be worn without compunction after that date if the temperature is 68 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. I am also moving the cut-off date for wearing white shoes from Labor Day to the end of baseball season. I see no reason that common-sense dress codes should be linked to honoring our war dead or trade unionism. Should anyone question my wearing of white shoes or suggest that it's inappropriate, I will inform them that this is my way of expressing that global warming is a reality.

I am especially happy to break out the summer shoes this spring, mainly because I have a nice, rather new pair of bucks from Brooks Brothers and a beautiful pair of saddle shoes from Ralph Lauren. They aren't just from the store, mind you, they are from Mr. Lauren himself. The man who brought American menswear back from the brink almost singlehandedly does so many things right, and one of the reasons for that is his determination and curiosity. Whenever I have seen him he's asked my opinion on what he could do better. In fact, Mr. Lauren does what he does so well that I have little to say, but last time I did manage to inform him that I had found it impossible to find his men's saddle shoes in a size twelve. I should add that Mr. Lauren seems to make the only genuine white saddle shoes for men that are not intended for golf (Alden makes nice cordovan saddles), so I considered this a matter of some importance.

Well, feast your eyes on these:

I have also recently debuted a beautiful pair of Brigatti golf shoes that had been sitting in my closet since I bought them in Milan five years ago. Brigatti, founded in 1884, is perhaps the world's most stylish sporting goods store, and I got a fantastic deal on these pebble-grain-and-calf spectators. I don't know why I didn't wear these spikes, but they made their debut in Austin, Texas, and performed splendidly for a pair of new shoes. I had one little tiny blister, but felt so magnificent in them that it was nothing. I'm sure by the end of my next 18 they will be totally in harmony with my large yet sensitive feet. Have you ever seen a better-looking pair of golf shoes?

Here are the Brooks Brothers white bucks. Much more comfy than my old ones, and they were easy on the wallet.

And finally, these venerable Church's of England wingtips have turned the color of clotted cream. They have true patina. I think it's going to be a good summer for walking. And remember, if you're out tonight on your bike, wear white.