There are a lot of shoe trends swirling around this winter, from luxe fabrics like suede and velvet to sleek silhouettes like rounded toes and comfortable (but sculptural) wedges. That said, none are as sought after as patent-leather shoes, be they boots, flats, or heels. Everybody's wearing them, from content creators in Paris to award-winning actresses in New York City. They are, without a doubt, winter's top shoe trend, and if you don't yet have a pair, you should. Period.
In case you've been waiting to invest in this trend due to a lack of styling inspiration, let me guide you in the right direction. First up, Sydney Sweeney's recent date-night ensemble from this weekend. The Euphoria actress was spotted on Saturday evening in the NoMad area of Manhattan alongside her fiancé, Jonathan Davino. For their night out, Sweeney went for a daring leather-and-lace combination, pairing a Nana Jacqueline lingerie-style bustier with a leather jacket and matching pair of trousers. Completing the look, she added a feather handbag and a sophisticated pair of pointed-toe patent-leather boots. Essentially, she proved that there's no such thing as wearing too much leather. That is, as long as you style it right.
On Sydney Sweeney: Nana Jacqueline Audrina Lace Top ($350); Mango jacket
For some more daytime options, just travel across the Atlantic Ocean to Paris, where every stylish, rich woman can be found wearing some variation of a patent-leather shoe. Ellie Delphine, the founder of Slip Into Style, wore her pair of pointed-toe flats by Saint Laurent with a cream-colored short-sleeve turtleneck sweater, barrel-leg jeans, and a brown suede Manu Atelier tote bag. In another area of the French capital, Musier Paris founder Anne-Laure Mais chose to style her patent-leather stiletto boots with just a gray, double-breasted coat and light-brown shoulder bag. Easy.
Convinced that you need a pair of your own yet? Get started on your patent-leather shoe search below. Trust me, a pair or two will work wonders to make every outfit, no matter how simple, Paris- or NYC-ready.
Shop the patent-leather shoe trend:
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You *Could* Wear Leggings, But This Pant Trend Will Look Way More "First Class" at the AirportSpotted at Charles de Gaulle.
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Yes, You Can Wear Your Lace-Trim Shorts This Fall, But Only If You Style Them Specifically Like ThisImmediately re-creating.
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If You're Going to Wear Low-Profile Sneakers in 2025, Promise You'll Style Them With This Denim Trend FirstIt's the It-girl way right now.
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If You're Going to Wear Leggings in Fall 2025, Wear Them in This Shade With White SneakersAs spotted on Jennifer Lopez in NYC.
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Goodbye to These 7 Coat Trends—The 2025 Versions Set to Be Everywhere This Fall and WinterCheck prints! Fur trims! Calf-hair finishes!
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FYI: If You Wear This Dated Sneaker Trend in Fall 2025, Make Sure It's With Baggy JeansBecause Gwyneth Paltrow says so.
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Bella Hadid Just Landed in Paris Wearing *the* Shoes to Pair With Fall's #1 Denim TrendModel-off-duty elegance to the max.
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Stylish Women All Over Milan Are Suddenly Swapping Out Their Classic Pumps for This "Dated" Shoe TrendSpotted on Shailene Woodley.
