Patent shoes...

[Tom]

What do you guys think about wearing patent shoes (or at least "really shiny" shoes) as normal professional wear?

 

[MPS]

Patent shoes would be acceptable if you have to wear black or white tie for your profession. Otherwise it would be vulgar.

 

[watchingdetails2002]

Patent leather if for formal occasions. However a spit shine on shoes is always a good idea.

 

[cristobal]

Patent leather shoes do NOT work with professional attire. But they look great with a velvet jacket or morning coat and a pair of jeans, or even just an untucked shirt and jeans. I've got a fabulous pair of Tod's driving shoes in patent leather that look fantastic with anything casual.

 

[AskAndyAboutClothes]

Tom: Patent leather is acceptable only for Formalwear or if you're in the military and lazy. Patent - leather processed on the grain side to form a bright hard brittle surface. Â Used for formal footwear. Â The process of varnishing materials goes back centuries and was widely used on woods and metals. Â French leather makers, using this process, developed a highly polished leather in the early 1800's. Â In 1822 Seth Boyden, a harness maker in Newark, New Jersey developed a shoe leather modeled on the European process and applied for a "patent ". -- from The Encyclopedia of Men's Clothes Andy

 

[Tom]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I guess I'll avoid it.

-Tom