September arrives, and with it one of those tasks that everyone knows they should do but few do well: reviewing the shoe closet. It’s not just about putting the sandals away and pulling out the boots. It’s the time to assess the condition each pair is in at the end of summer, what needs attention before being used again, and what no longer deserves to take up space.
Doing this well in September is infinitely easier than doing it in November, when cold weather has already arrived and you urgently need your fall footwear.
Step One: Inventory and Assessment
Before putting anything away or taking anything out, review what you have. Pull out all your summer footwear and examine it pair by pair:
The sole is the first indicator. If the heel is heavily worn on one side, if the tread pattern on the contact areas has worn away, or if there are visible cracks, that pair needs repair before being stored — or should be discarded.
The outer leather is the second thing to check. Summer — with sun, sea salt, sweat, and friction — dries out leather. Dry leather cracks and deteriorates much faster during storage. Before putting away any leather shoe or boot, clean the surface and apply a leather-specific conditioning cream.
The inside of the shoe also tells a story: if the lining is badly worn at the heels or toe area, or if the smell doesn’t go away with airing, it’s time to decide whether it’s worth repairing or whether it’s reached the end of its useful life.
Step Two: Storing Summer Footwear Properly
Proper storage makes all the difference between finding footwear in perfect condition next summer or finding it misshapen, with cracked leather or moisture stains. For a full guide on this, check out our article on how to store shoes in summer without damage.
Espadrilles and rope-soled footwear must be stored completely dry: any remaining moisture can cause mold during the months they’re not in use. If the footwear has any structure, place tissue paper inside to help maintain the shape.
Leather summer shoes — loafers, boat shoes, linen derbies — benefit from one final conditioning treatment before storage and some filling inside so they don’t lose their shape.
Step Three: Reviewing and Preparing Fall Footwear
Before declaring your fall footwear ready to go, review that too:
Boots and fall shoes that have been stored for several months may need a light clean and a conditioning cream application before their first use. Leather that’s been in storage dries out, and a good moisturizing treatment restores flexibility and shine.
If the laces are worn, replace them now. It’s a minimal expense that completely refreshes the look of the footwear.
Check the soles too: if last year you noticed you were slipping or the heel was getting low, don’t wait for the problem to get worse. September, before the first rains arrive, is the perfect time to visit a cobbler.
The Right Time to Buy: What to Look for for Fall
If the review has left gaps in your closet, September is the best month of the year to buy fall footwear. New collections are available, the most popular styles still have all sizes in stock, and you have time to break the shoes in before temperatures really drop.
For women, Baerchi’s fall ankle boots — available in wedge, heel, and flat — combine Spanish-made bovine leather with anatomical insoles designed for daily use. For men, the TERRA4181 comfort ankle boot with FLEXLINE technology is a solid choice for the transitional season: flexible, lightweight, and with a rubber sole for the first rainy days. And if you want a clearer idea of which boot style suits your lifestyle, our article on how to choose ankle boots for women has all the criteria laid out.
The seasonal transition isn’t just a wardrobe change: it’s an opportunity to take stock of what you have, care for what’s worth keeping, and thoughtfully replace what no longer works.
