Whether you are looking for a sharp dress shoe to wear to a black tie event or a special pair to adorn your wedding day outfit, black patent leather shoes are the perfect match that can elevate any look.

The timeless shoe has been a classic favourite amongst the best-dressed men for years, and it’s easy to see why. Their sleek form and perfect finish ooze quality and opulence, ideal for any special occasion.

We are going to introduce two of our new black patent leather shoe ranges – the Mayfair Patent Leather Wholecuts and the Kensington Patent Leather Loafers – that play an essential role in the rising of popularity in black patent leather shoes that we are seeing today.

The Classic Appeal of Black Patent Leather Shoes

Our men’s patent leather shoes are made from high-quality leather, with a coating added to them to give them their iconic shine. It is believed that the patent idea of adding gloss and polish to shoes was born in the 1790s, making them not only look sharp and flawless but also repellent to water (although not necessarily ‘waterproof’). The smooth surface makes them easy to clean, looking spotless at all times.

Since those days, patent leather shoes have been the choice of men and women through time, becoming a versatile shoe, suitable for all occasions, including weddings and black tie events, but also business occasions – and even with casual attire.

Patent leather has been used over the years to make anything from smart men’s dress shoes to glamorous women’s shoes, and timeless handbags.

What Season to Wear Black Patent Leather Shoes

The truth is that you can wear black patent leather shoes at any time of the year. Due to the fact that the leather is covered with a gloss, it means that they do not absorb water, and can be easily wiped clean and dry – perfect for all year round.

When you are looking to buy your patent leather shoes, however, it is essential that you get high-quality leather to ensure that they are durable and look high quality.

Wide Range of Shoe and Boot Styles Available at Thomas Bird

Here at Thomas Bird, we have a wide range of men’s shoe and boot styles to suit any occasion. Whether you are looking for a pair of formal black shoes, something more casual for a night out, or a pair of sharp shoes to impress at a business meeting, we have just the shoes for men who want to add a stylish touch to their look and make themselves look great.

Some of our customer’s favourite styles include the Hampton Penny Loafer (on which our Kensington Patent Leather shoes are based) – ideal for a night out with friends or a relaxed date with a special someone. Our customers also love our contemporary, stylish high quality leather monk strap shoes, perfect for a business meeting, or social occasions. For formal times such as black tie events or weddings, our customers love our classic Oxford shoes – amongst many of our others.

Amongst our customer’s favourite shoes, however, we have some rising stars – and these are our black leather patent shoes – the Mayfair and the Kensington – named after two of London’s most exclusive and stylish neighbourhoods.

Introducing Mayfair and Kensington Patent Leather Shoes

Just like the London neighbourhoods that represent them, our Mayfair and Kensington patent leather shoes are steeped in history whilst staying contemporary looking, shining with elegance and luxury, and are essential for anyone who wants to make their mark in the world.

The Mayfair patent shoes are perfect for wearing on that special occasion. They look perfect for a smart dinner or black-tie event. Perhaps a work awards ceremony, your wedding, or somewhere else where you want to get an edge over everyone else. The Mayfair shoes are seamless, wholecut shoes with a slight heel to help you to stand with confidence. The shiny shoes gleam, reflecting the light, and turning your look from great to exquisite.

The Kensington patent shoes are loafer-style shoes and are an excellent loafer alternative to the Mayfair wholecut shoes. These can be used in the most formal settings, but also look great in a business environment if you are a sharp-dressing, dapper gentleman, and even at more casual times. The Kensington patent loafer provides a sleek silhouette and pairs beautifully with a suit.

When is it Appropriate to Wear Black Leather Patent Shoes?

Black patent leather shoes such as our Mayfair and Kensington shoes are, at their core, shoes designed for a special occasion. Their shine and brilliance mean that they naturally stand out and draw attention to you. Although they are most commonly worn on formal occasions such as a wedding, black tie event, or concert dress, you can also pair them with semi-formal clothes to add a touch of elegance to your look, or, in the right circumstances, with more casual dress.

How to Choose the Perfect Pair of Black Leather Patent Shoes

If you have a special event coming up, want to stand out all of the time, or just feel that you should have a pair of black leather patent shoes for when the occasion comes up, it is important that you know how to choose the right pair for you.

To start, it is essential that you get shoes that are the right size for you. Ill-fitting shoes are not only difficult to walk in but can also cause rubbing and blisters. Make sure that you get the perfect size shoes for you so that you walk well and can concentrate on dazzling your crowd.

Another consideration that you need to make, is that you should get patent leather shoes that are made from high-quality leather. Sometimes patent shoes are made from inferior leather, but this is detrimental as they will not look so good for so long – or be wearable. All of our patent leather shoes here at Thomas Bird are beautifully crafted from top-quality leather.

The final consideration that you should make when you are choosing your black leather patent shoes is your own personal style – and what you are planning on using them for. If you are wanting a shoe that you can wear with less formal attire, the Kensington loafer might be a better idea. However, this really just comes down to your own personal taste, and what you like the best!

Styling your Black Leather Patent Shoes

If you are going to buy black leather patent shoes, the likelihood is that you know how you want to style them. However, this might not be the only option that you have available to you. They are used to make a statement, stand out, and speak to the world – but need to be styled properly. Black leather patent shoes can usually be worn on one of three different occasions – as formal wear, semi-formal wear, and in casual settings.

Formal Wear

Black patent leather shoes have been worn for years with tuxedos and at black tie events. Legend has it that patent leather shoes as formal dress developed as a time-saving device for men who previously polished their shoes so much that they got a similar shine on special occasions.

The key to wearing black patent leather dress shoes with a tuxedo is to keep it as simple as possible, highlighting the shine whilst keeping the silhouette sleek and smooth.

Semi-Formal Wear

It takes a certain person to wear their black patent shoes in a business environment. You don’t wear your black patent shoes if you don’t want to stand out. However, if you want to look confident, brave, and characterful, this is the shoe for you. You can wear your black patent shoes with navy or black tailoring, giving you the edge over everyone else in the room.

Casual Settings

Giving your black patent shoes an airing in a casual setting can be a little trickier to style. If, however, you are going for a loafer, you can team them with a suit for a sharp look – but leave them at home if you are going to be wearing jeans unless you are a styling expert.

If you are struggling with shoe styling, we can give you some shoe styling guidelines here.

The Importance of Caring for Your Patent Leather Shoes

The key to keeping your black patent leather shoes looking great for longer is to care for them properly. In general, patent shoes are easy to care for, but it is important that you do. Due to the coating that the patent shoe has, some elements of caring for these shoes are different from caring for normal leather. Remember, the thing that makes patent shoes so special is their complete flawlessness. Without this, they will not have the same impact. 

Some elements, however, are the same as ‘normal’ leather. Always use a shoehorn to ensure that your shoes’ heels stay strong. You can get a good quality shoehorn here – along with the other accessories that you will need for high-quality shoe care. You should also keep your shoes in a shoe bag to keep them well-protected as well as away from dust whilst being stored – and try to keep them at room temperature, in a dry place. Our shoe care tips are available here to help you to look after your patent shoes properly.

How to Clean Patent Leather Shoes

You need to be careful when you are cleaning patent leather. It can be easy to scratch or scuff them, potentially ruining their lustre and shine. The first thing to do is to brush the dirt off with a soft bristled brush.

To fix scuff marks on a patent shoe, you can use an eraser to remove any colour that might have rubbed off on the shoe. Then use the soft-bristled brush to remove the eraser shavings. If you have a more stubborn stain, try using a small amount of Vaseline or rubbing alcohol on a cotton bud. Rub it gently so that you do not damage the patent layer, then wipe it with a dry cloth.

To wash more generally, wipe the outer layer with a damp cloth and a small amount of non-detergent soap if need be. You should remember that although the glossy layer is water repellent, the shoe itself is not waterproof, so be careful not to use too much water – or wear them for too long in the rain.

You can use a soft polishing cloth, rubbed in small circles to dry and polish your shoes, and leave them at room temperature for at least 24 hours.

Black Leather Patent Shoes at Thomas Bird

Men’s patent leather shoes are becoming increasingly popular in the world of men’s shoes. They emit opulence, elegance, and style, drawing attention to you no matter what situation you are in. The sleek lines and flawless texture make patent leather shoes ideal for the most formal occasions, but also pair well at semi-formal and more casual times.

Thomas Bird’s black leather patent shoes will elevate your style and make you stand out from the crowd, something that you can’t afford to miss out on!