Garanimals for Grownups®

In my new life, I wear a nice pair of pants, dress shirt and yes, *gasp* a tie every day (except on "casual" Fridays). I am not the most fashion conscious person around; I guess I fit the clothing-clueless male stereotype pretty well. In the effort of trying to find a combination that works well enough, I've memorized a few combinations, but if I am feeling adventurous, I have to query my wife:

"Ping."
"Ack."
(OK, that part doesn't really happen, but it would be funny if it did.)
"Does this tie go with these pants?"
"Hmm. Sort of."
"Great!" I pull out a set of clothes.
"But it doesn't go with that shirt. At all." And with a dismissive wave of her imperious hand, I am back to square one.

That got me thinking. I'm certainly not the only potential fashion faux pas walking around. And what about color blind folks? I personally am aware of two, of which one works in a shirt-and-tie office situation. Why isn't there a set of small thingies that can be easily and semi-permanently attached to the back side of a tie, the tail of a shirt, and the inside waistband of a pair of pants that would indicate which goes with which? That would solve my problem of an impending fashion disaster.  

Until I make Garanimals for Grownups® available in the marketable universe, I think I'll satisfy my need with a Sharpie indelible marker and three easy steps:

1. Since the key to the set is the shirt, the first step is to mark each of the them with a small letter code, e.g., shirt A, shirt B, shirt C and so on. I am putting the mark down low on the tail, where it will never be seen. For anyone with more than 26 shirts, you can either go to a double letter configuration, or, better yet, donate a few to a local charity.
   
2. Play the Pair Up Game, pairing each shirt with each tie. (Protip: It's critical to get the discerning (likely female) eye involved this.) As each tie is matched with a shirt, add that shirt's letter code to the tie. It will hide nicely in the inside lining of either the fat or skinny part.
   
3. Again, play the Pair Up Game, this time matching each pair of pants against each shirt, marking the shirt letter on each pair of pants that the discerning eye deems to match. I am marking my pants inside the waistband on the left front side. Why the left front side? I'm left handed and it makes sense to me. 

Complete! And success! You now have an easy method to ensure your shirts, ties and pants will all match. As you add new clothes to your wardrobe, go through the same process with the closet newbie.

Now, when attempting to figure out what to wear, simply pull your choice of the shirt of the day. Then check the letter and grab a matching pair of pants and a tie. You will be the hero of the office, arriving dressed for success each and every day!