How to Pull Off the Patent Leather Trend

whowhatwear target black patent leather pants — Shop my curated picks from **NEED SUPPLY 20% Flash Sale ends tonite – code TAKE20**

As a little girl growing up in 1970’s Kansas one of the highlights of my Easter outfit was patent leather Mary Janes.

Was it because these were my own version of the Ruby slippers? I spent many summers away from my mother who had found California to be the best alternative to the Kansas tornados.

Or maybe I wanted to click my heels to be transported from my yellow brick road to the emerald city where she was.

Fast forward to 2018 and I’m still fascinated with all fashion-things shiny. It was natural that I wanted to try the patent leather trend that’s been circling the runways since fall. But with an essentialist wardrobe how do you incorporate the trend?

My advice, unless you’re channeling Michelle Pfieffer’s Catwoman, is to make one piece the focal point.

These pants from WhoWhatWear collection at Target definitely focus the eye! So I balanced all this slickness with a white top. Because the pants are pretty fancy it pairs best with a fancy cotton blouse. With ruching at the neckline, cuffs, and waist this H&M blouse holds it’s own against the bold trousers.

I finished the look with a white patent leather pump from Self Portrait’s Robert Clergerie collaboration (available here). True, I did add a second patent piece to the equation. However by opting for white, avoids that catsuit vibe.

Not feeling this adventurous? Then reach for a patent accessory such as a hand bag or ankle boot in either patent leather or clear acrylic.

Worried about being too trendy? Well you can rest assured that patent accessories will always have a place in your life, like they always have in mine. Click through to shop my favorite patent leather pieces. Comment below on what patent leather pieces you’d like to incorporate into your wardrobe!