When to Wear Patent Leather--Day or Night??

Accessories

Ask StylePhyle

Clothing Care

Closets

Dressing

Shopping

Ten Things

The Outfit Journal

Travel Guide

Contact Us

Home

You can wear patent leather for day or evening, if you follow a couple of simple guidelines. Black patent leather pumps, for example, can add a whimsical and feminine touch to menswear-inspired clothing during the day--and it's also a beautiful complement to a sophisticated cocktail dress.

For evening, the old adage of less being more applies. An all-patent leather pump will be too heavy for more delicate evening wear, so a strappy sandal is a better bet.

Unless you're like me and love that "Sex and the City" look of the black patent stiletto (I just wore this shoe on a killer first date with a guy I really wanted to impress...but I digress), you'll probably get more mileage out of a shoe that combines patent leather with suede or another type of material. And don't be afraid of color! Pink patent leather can be fun.