Patent Leather

cufflinkmaniac · Nov 3, 2008

Can it still be found made the old fashioned way?I can't bring myself to buy formal shoes in patent because of the plastic coating,so right now I have my sights set on calfskin opera pumps.On a side note,is there any way to get calfskin as shiny as patent?

John in Covina · Nov 10, 2008

I'd be willing to bet you'll need to go to a custom shoemaker to get the real deal.

DerMann · Nov 10, 2008

cufflinkmaniac said:
Can it still be found made the old fashioned way?I can't bring myself to buy formal shoes in patent because of the plastic coating,so right now I have my sights set on calfskin opera pumps.On a side note,is there any way to get calfskin as shiny as patent?

I cannot say for sure if patent leather is still made. It is a rather dim hope, though.

Calfskin can be polished to a near patent shine. The best way to do so is to build up layers of polish, making sure to melt it in with a hairdryer.

The Wingnut · Nov 11, 2008

Get a pair of corrected grain or otherwise very smooth-grained plain-toe black shoes, spit shine them, then use Protect-a-Shine to get the final mirror shine. I have a pair of black Penny's Staffords done this way, and there's little difference between them and a patent finish, other than durability and breathability.

Protect-a-Shine (I don't know why they use an unpolished shoe for the product shot!)

The Wingnut · Nov 11, 2008

...for some reason I can't edit my previous post, so here's more info: You can use a product called Leather Luster, which give a brilliant nearly permanent patent shine, but it seals off the leather and will cause cracking after prolonged use. Best to do this to a pair of shoes you don't wear often or didn't pay much for.

Leather Luster also offers a mail-in application service of thier product to any footwear.

I am not paid by them or am I promoting their product, just offering a solution.

Tomasso · Nov 11, 2008

cufflinkmaniac said:
Can it still be found made the old fashioned way?

Yep, but it's very pricey; made by the likes of John Lobb.

cufflinkmaniac said:
On a side note,is there any way to get calfskin as shiny as patent?

Bugsy · Nov 11, 2008

cufflinkmaniac said:
Can it still be found made the old fashioned way?I can't bring myself to buy formal shoes in patent because of the plastic coating,so right now I have my sights set on calfskin opera pumps.On a side note,is there any way to get calfskin as shiny as patent?

Take a look at the opera pumps by Church shoes of England. They're carried by Brooks Brothers. I was informed that these are really patent leather. I hope so; I bought some.

cufflinkmaniac · Nov 11, 2008

Bugsy said:
Take a look at the opera pumps by Church shoes of England. They're carried by Brooks Brothers. I was informed that these are really patent leather. I hope so; I bought some.

Just a tad bit out of my price range.:eusa_booh

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