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:
-
I Stopped Someone in Erewhon to Ask What Shoes They Had On—Now I Can't Stop Wearing ThemThey cost less than my groceries.
-
This Is the Pretty Flat-Shoe Trend Elegant Dressers Are Suddenly Wearing With White JeansWe have Chanel to thank.
-
Hailey Bieber Already Wore the Denim Outfits That Will Define Fall 2025She's always setting the trends.
-
Oh Wow, Hailey Bieber's Go-To Denim Brand Is on Major Sale During Amazon Prime DayDon't miss out.
-
Sorry, Flats—These Anti-Trend Heels Are Every French Woman's Quiet Go-To for a Night Out in ParisA classic choice.
-
Flip-Flop Fatigue? Fashion People in Ibiza Are Wearing Bikinis and Skirts With This Flat-Shoe Trend InsteadYour new go-to summer shoes.
-
Forget the Margaux—*This* The Row Bag Will Be Carried by Fashion People With Cool Taste in 2025And it won't cost you $5000.
-
I'm Bored With My Closet—These 33 ChicReplica Store Pieces Have the Power to Turn Things AroundEffortless and expensive looking is the vibe.
