High gloss

Patent leather, that glossy material that many women associate with their girlhood Mary Janes, has found its way into the grown-up wardrobe.

Pumps, wedges, handbags, even headbands have been turning up at stores across Boston in an array of glistening colors.

With its slick, lacquered finish, patent leather can be undeniably bold, verging at times on cartoonish. But Jay Calderin, executive director of Boston's Fashion Week and an instructor at the School of Fashion Design, says the key is to use it as an accent for an outfit. He likes small handbags, for instance, and shoes in muted colors such as rose.

"You want to mix it with other textures to make it look smart," he says. That can be as simple as wearing a pair of patent flats with your jeans. "All of a sudden you're dressy."

Even accessories in showy yellow or red can be a welcome addition to a wardrobe when used strategically, says Karen Singer, a Newton-based writer and closet consultant.

"In the past, patent leather was either black or white," she says. A thick, brightly-colored belt, for instance, is one way to make a summer dress look new.

"That's what makes the outfit pop," says Singer.

The Marc Jacobs stores on Newbury Street are carrying a range of patent leather goods, including handbags and shoes in candy colors like mint green, teal, and purple. General manager Mary Nobile-King says patent is also popular because it's wearable in all seasons.

Jessica Lynn, a manager and buyer for Moxie on Charles Street, agrees that even though it may be trendy this season, the glossy leather will always have a place in the closet.

"Patent leather is more of a classic thing," she says. "I think it never really goes out of style." -- EMILY SHARTIN