Patent Varnished Loafers

High shine, for women and men. One thing to be clear about: patent is a finish, not a material. Half of these pairs carry the shine on faux leather and about a fifth on leather, and from two steps away they read exactly the same.

See also: Men's Patent Loafers, Women's Patent Glossy Loafers, Black Loafers, Golden Loafers, Silver Loafers, Red Loafers

What the shine gives you

It is a surface, and surfaces behave in predictable ways.

1. Instant formality
   A glossy shoe under plain dark pants finishes an outfit on its own. Keep it for evenings, weddings and anything with a dress code.
   See also: Men's Wedding Loafers, Women's Patent Glossy Loafers

2. The easiest upkeep in the shop
   A damp cloth, then a dry one. No cream, no brush, no polish, which only dulls it.

3. A finish that shows a crease
   Where the shoe folds hard, the shine breaks and the line stays. Buy the size that fits and keep shoe trees in them.

Wearing it without overdoing it

One shining thing per outfit. A glossy shoe next to a glossy bag and a glossy belt stops reading as elegant and starts reading as a costume.

Black is the version that goes everywhere. If you already own it, a metallic or a deep red does the same job and says more.