Patent leather often comes to mind when it's time to put together a dressy outfit. Combine a glossy finish with some wild stripes, as in patent leather zebra heels, and the look goes from fussy formal to fashion-forward.
Seth Boyden of Newark, New Jersey invented patent leather in 1818. Boyden was looking for a way to treat leather so that it kept its durability, yet looked dressier than workaday footwear. He came up with a formula that applied layers of linseed oil to unfinished leather to create a glossy finish. The first patent leather goods began commercial production in 1819. As time went on, the invention of plastics modernized the methods for manufacturing patent leather, making mass production of shoes, handbags and other accessories possible.
Two centuries later, Boyden's invention has become a fashion classic, noted for its glossy finish that catches and reflects light. Most patent leather clothing is solid black, although white patent leather also is made. Little girls and little boys don patent leather shoes for holiday parties, dancing class, family portraits and religious occasions. Among adults, patent leather accessories are de rigueur for sophisticated outfits from formal weddings to black-tie soirees.
Patent Leather Zebra Heels Step Out in Fun
While patent leather remains an essential part of formal wear today, the material also has found its way into chic new designs such as patent leather zebra heels. The combination of black and white zebra stripes with shiny patent leather provides irresistibly fun, frisky and flirtatious footwear.
On Amazon.com, Funtasma by Pleaser Women's Daring-1022 Boot takes a traditional style and turns it in a chic fashion trend. This shoe takes an old-fashioned design – the high-button shoe – and gives it contemporary tweaks with black laces and silver grommets on black patent leather belts held in place by silver buckles. Put this zebra fur and black patent leather combination on top of a 3-3/4-inch high heel and it's a recipe for outrageous fun. The boot shaft rises about 9 inches from the arch with a price tag around $50, so it's an accessible, affordable style for most wearers.
A More Traditional Style Is Still Enticing
Another shoemaker, Classified, offers a more traditional yet still enticing style in patent leather zebra heels with its Zebra White Black Textured Peep Toe Patent Bow Heels for less than $27. This design sports a textured zebra print accented with a side patent bow and large rhinestone. The shoe has a ¼-inch platform and 4-inch heels, making this one of the more flirtatious styles.
While not strictly a typical high heel, Bamboo's Bow Side Zebra Print Patent Wedge is anything but a low-heeled show. This patent-finish, open-toe wedge features pleated cross straps in zebra print with a 4¼-inch heel and a zipper closure at the back. For less than $25, this is a shoe with plenty of fashion and economy.
Inventor Seth Boyden may not have envisioned patent leather zebra heels when he created his durable, shiny leather, but his 19th century innovation has brought plenty of fashion to 21st century footwear.