If there’s one thing women in Paris and New York City have in common, it’s this: They know how to dress in a high-value way. Whether they’re stepping out of the Ritz or having lunch on the Upper East Side, stylish Parisians and New Yorkers are highly skilled at putting together expensive-looking outfits. Over the years, they’ve used a variety of items to achieve this, but in 2025, one of their tried-and-true tricks is patent-leather shoes—Chanel’s new moccasins being every fashion girl’s favorite.
TikTok’s favorite model-turned-chef Nara Smith is one such fan. Over the weekend, she was spotted in NYC wearing a luxurious chocolate-brown fur wrap coat, black trousers, and a pair of the viral, hard-to-find Chanel flats, which debuted on the runway at the French fashion house’s resort 2025 show in Marseille. She completed the look with a chunky gray sweater, black tights, gold jewelry, and a black top-handle clutch.
On Nara Smith: Chanel Patent Leather Moccasins ($1225)
Smith was hardly the first fashion person to put the popular shoes to work, with big-deal content creators like Veronika Heilbrunner and Sophia Roe both wearing their pairs to Chanel’s Haute Couture show that took place last week in Paris. Heilbrunner styled hers with tights adorned with floral brooches and a tweed skirt set, while Roe took a simpler approach, donning her flats with sheer tights and a leather knee-length dress.
But Chanel isn’t the only brand making footwear more elevated with the use of patent leather. Saint Laurent, Khaite, Alaïa, and Toteme all too have used the glossy material to level up their shoe collections in recent seasons, much to the delight of chic women everywhere. Scroll down to shop the best pairs on the market right now.
Shop patent-leather shoes:
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If You Wear This Jean-and-Flat-Shoe Combination While Traveling, I'll Know You Have Cool StyleA go-to chic travel outfit is a must this season.
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Caught on Camera: Every Fashion Girl Is Wearing This Unexpected Shoe Brand With Jeans, Dresses, and SkirtsKaia, Selena, and Sydney are fans.
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Even White Poplin Skirts Can't Compete With the Pretty Skirt Trend I've Seen in NYC, Milan, and ParisHands down, it's the most elegant buy of the summer.
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Found: The Pretty Dress Trend Every Chic MOB, MOH, and Wedding Guest Is Wearing This SummerFollow Sofia Richie Grainge's lead.
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If I See You Swap Your Classic Black Pumps for This Specific Color Trend, I'll Know You Have Expensive TasteIt works for the summer and the fall.
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32 Affordable Ashley Olsen Coded Picks That I Have My Eye on for SummerEffortless, luxe, and incredibly chic.
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Instead of Strappy Sandals, Celebs in Mayfair and Manhattan Wear *This* Shoe Trend With DressesKeke Palmer is ahead of the game.
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If You're Going to Wear All Black This Summer, at Least Try This Almost-Neutral Shoe ColorJulianne Moore gets it.
