"Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?" is a novel by John R. Powers. The book is based on events from the author's growing up in the 1950's. Powers years in parochial schools and Catholic upbring strongly influence the main character's coming of age. In recognition of one of my favorite book titles ever (though I haven't read the book), I have to ask. Do black patent leather shoes really reflect up?

My sister-in-law often recalls an evening when her young mother was gussied up for a night on the town dressed in a black skirt, white shirt with a popped collar and her waist cinched tightly by a wide patent leather belt of lipstick red. Sent this image to her a while back. The colors aren't the same. Nor did her mother sport a poodle on her skirt, but Mimi was delighted none the less. My Barbie doll had a similar outfit, but her belt was plastic. Did you play with Barbie when you were a kid?

It is only recently that I learned that patent leather really is, well, leather. Fine grained, specially treated leather that is glazed and polished. And it's been around since at least 1793 when a Mr. Hand in the UK first obtained a patent for his process. Does it surprise you that the process has been around for so long a time?

It's patently obvious that this method of treating leather remains popular for its glossy shine and easy maintenance. And they are waterproof. Niemann Marcus currently has men's Gucci loafers for a mere $1,130. Would pay 1,000K for a pair of shoes?