I found a question the internet could not answer...what to do with white patent leather shoes. You might be wondering why I would buy white shoes to begin with and the answer is they were cheap. I have been getting so lucky at thrift stores lately when it comes to shoes. If you remember, I bought a pair of J. Crew suede kitten heals. Just last week I found a brand new pair of classic brown Sperry's.
I paid $12 for my new, white, hardly worn Ugg driving shoes. Yes, you read that right...Uggs for $12! I did some research on my iPhone in the thrift store parking lot incase there was some remedy I could pick up on my way home...nothing. Not a single suggestion. I lost hope and decided white shoes might look good with something. I was nearly home when I stopped at CVS to pick up some hair elastics. My feet were tired of my high heels so I slipped on the fur lined, white driving shoes. I am not exaggerating when I say every singe CVS patron noticed my white shoes and not in a good way.
And then it came to me...why not a black Sharpie?!
So, the answer to "How to change the color of patent leather?" is permanent marker. Here are a few important hints before you start coloring:
1.) I only tried Black so I can't say any other color will work.
2.) I was lucky that these shoes were also patent leather on the soles which meant I could test it out before I committed.
3.) Buy some brand new Sharpies. I found that old Sharpies tended to look like a blue-purple.
4.) I did two layers just to be sure there was not a blue-purple sheen.
5.) The seams were the biggest challenge since they had thread and normal leather (not patent). Be sure you get in all the crevises around the thread which can also look a little blue if you don't adequately saturate.
6.) Don't be suprised when you have to do a little touch-up after you wear them.
I am really happy with the way they turned out. The color is a graphite-black which goes with nearly everything.
April 29, 2012
