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:
-
Spotted on Mercer Street: The Surprisingly Elegant Way Fashion People Are Wearing Belts for WinterResulting in the richest outfit recipe, well, ever.
-
J.Law Channeled Carolyn Bessette Kennedy in the Winter Hero Item That Makes Basic Trousers Look ElegantFrench women in Paris are also wearing it.
-
I Hate to Say It, But It's Time to Set Aside These 5 "Dated" Sneaker TrendsThe new guard of It sneakers.
-
Jeans, Who? It Girls Everywhere Are Wearing Boots With This Anti-Denim Trend Right NowIt will also be a fashion person's go-to uniform this winter, too.
-
This "Ugly" Shoe Trend Is Officially Back From 2016—But This Time, It's BetterSpotted in London and NYC.
-
Just Like That, Suits Go From Boring to Cool When You Swap Button-Downs for This 2025 ReplacementMeet fashion's hardest-working basic.
-
Elegant Dressers Are Replacing Their Black Skirts With This Rich Color AlternativeAs seen on Tessa Thompson and in Tory Burch's S/S 26 collection.
-
When Wearing a Trench Coat in 2025, the Only "Right" Way Is Like ThisHint: It's probably NSFW.
