You might remember a time when you were put into those white patent leather shoes for birthday parties, Easter, cousin Susie’s high school graduation and more. I personally remembering longing for days when my mom would slip my teensy feet into my favorite patent leather Mary Janes. As I got a little older, I began putting them on myself and parading all around the house in them. What girl doesn’t long to wear fun shoes ALL the time?!

I decided to do a piece on the myths and truths concerning patent leather shoes. While my days of patent leather Mary Janes are long gone, my love for patent leather is not. And while I am obsessed with shoes, I actually don’t know all that much about the dos and don’ts of the patent leather shoe.

So, what season are patent leather shoes really meant for? It was once thought that you should stick with warmer seasons to parade in such footwear, but with the ongoing sales of patent leather boots and closed toed heels, it’s completely appropriate to wear them year round now! However, if you are a stickler for fashion laws, you might wanna go with a Memorial Day to Labor Day rule (alongside wearing white). Or you might choose to begin early as Easter!

Another myth seems to be that patent leather shoes are really only for formal events. NOT TRUE. While we do remember wearing patent leather shoes for fancy times as a child, as an adult, we have the opportunity to wear them all the time. You can find casual patent leather flats, boots and heels. And they can be worn with jeans, dresses, shorts and more. Evening gowns and tuxedos totally NOT necessary.

Heidi Klum Sporting Patent Leather Heels

A final myth is in regards to patent leather in other colors. Patent leather comes in many colors, just as its regular old leather shoes do. You can find patent leather shoes in red, white, gold, royal blue and more. Just because you think of patent leather as black, doesn’t mean that’s all that exists! You must broaden your patent leather mind frame.

You have to remember that patent leather is just like any other leather, but finished with a shiny gloss. That doesn’t mean you should exclude them from all the fun you have in their less glossy leather cousins. Long live the patent leather shoe!

For as long as I can remember, I’ve worn patent leather shoes in the winter and spring seasons; in fact I remember being way more into my black patent leather Mary Janes more than my velvet or frilly, pastel-colored holiday dresses. There’s just something about that shiny leather finish that adds a touch of sheen to an otherwise dreary, dismal winter day. Recent runway shows have proven that the look is here to stay, offering them up in a variety of styles and colors. There’s nothing sharper than a red pair of patent leather heels, so I’ve rounded up a few of my favorites to help you get that high gloss look:

Jessica Lizza Heels, $89.99

Paris Hilton Brandy T-Straps, $94.99

Luichiny Wilma Heels, $94.99