patent leather

[ pat-nt, pat-n or, esp. British, peyt-nt ]

/ ˈpæt nt, ˈpæt n or, esp. British, ˈpeɪt nt /

a hard, glossy, smooth leather, used especially in shoes and accessories.

Origin of patent leather

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30

His patent-leather mini-skirts, which stand away from the body, are like perfectly molded little bells.

Raf’s Ready-to-Wear Debut at Dior |Robin Givhan |September 28, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
I was fascinated by your patent-leather sabre-tache, and your little spurs, that rang like tiny chimes when you walked.

Lorraine |Robert W. Chambers
The creaking of the Baron's patent-leather boots stopped, and he drew up before his colleague.

The Eternal City |Hall Caine
It required some courage to go out into the clear light of a January morning in patent-leather pumps and wearing a silk hat.

The Girl in the Mirror |Elizabeth Garver Jordan

"I don't know," he said, looking down at his patent-leather toes.

Whirligigs |O. Henry
He wore a morning coat, a dark tie, and patent-leather boots.

Simon the Jester |William J. Locke

patent leather

leather or imitation leather processed with lacquer to give a hard glossy surface