And Now, the Big Return of All Things Patent Leather

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(Image credit: @threadsstyling)

While patent leather pieces never really went away, we haven't seen them on the fashion scene in a major way up until recently. We instead saw the proliferation of smooth leather adorning everything from bags to shoes to clothing—a finish that is sleek but subtle. With the arrival of cult pieces including Saint Laurent's pointed Lee heels, Miu Miu's buckled slingbacks, and The Row's Lana pumps, it's clear that patent leather is not only back in a major way, but shiny new pieces are the most in-demand right now.

We also saw this play out on the street style scene at fashion month during the S/S 24 collections where attendees were dressed in high-shine patent leather pieces. Specifically at Paris Fashion Week, where guests wore the futuristic material in silhouettes such as A-line skirts and trench coats that lent a cool edge to more classic shapes. Ahead, shop the best patent leather pieces on the market.

Associate Director, Special Projects

Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury content and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, MyTheresa, and Luisa Via Roma, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on assistant styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.