Jean Patteson: Whether to wear leather? Why, yes

Tag : leather shoes

These days, you could wear white patent-leather shoes in the deadof winter and you wouldn't be breaking the rules. You'd be making afashion statement.

So feel free to wear your favorite shiny pieces all through thefall and winter. But first, how to get them bright and shiny again.

"Patent leather" refers loosely to leather or vinyl treated with aplastic coating that gives it a glossy finish. A variety ofcleaners such as Aquila are available at shoes stores.


Cleaning patent leather
Try one of these remedies to clean patent leather, always using alight touch:

*Wipe scuff marks with a damp cloth and mild soap.

*Wipe with non-acetone nail-polish remover.

*Wipe with toothpaste or shaving cream.

*To restore the glossy finish, apply Vernice, a liquid siliconethat protects and shines. It can be ordered at urad.org.

*Rub gently with petroleum jelly to remove marks and restore shine.


New mag makes it fashionable to be green
Question: I am interested in switching to "green" clothing, shoesand accessories. I find the occasional article about green fashionin newspapers and magazines, but would like to find a publicationdevoted solely to this subject. Is there any such thing?

Answer: A magazine called Boho made its debut this month. Itsslogan is "100 percent recycled, restyled, reused." It covers greenfashion and beauty, and features people living an eco-friendlylifestyle.

Sound like your kind of magazine? If so, you can get moreinformation at bohomag .com.


Cocktail conundrum

Q: I am new to Florida and have no idea what to wear to a weddingthat calls for "summer cocktail attire." A dress, pants, what?

A: Cocktail attire usually means a short, dressy dress.

"Summer cocktail," I would guess, means a fairly bare style --strapless or with thin straps, a halter neckline, a low-cut frontor back, or short sleeves. It probably also means a bright or light(but not white) color, rather than black. Peep-toe pumps or dressysandals and a small handbag would complete the ensemble.

If you're still in doubt, ask someone in the wedding party forsuggestions -- a bridesmaid or the mother or sister of the bride,for example.


Lost & found

Lost: Susanna is trying to find Rich and Skinny jeans.

Found: Good news for Tomas, who is looking for Single Bandswristbands for single men and women. They can be ordered atcathiehill.com.




'Green' clothing and summer cocktail attire, Page G3
Fashion writer Jean Patteson welcomes your questions. Mail: OrlandoSentinel, MP-218, P.O. Box 2833, Orlando, FL 32802-2833. E-mail:jpatteson@orlandosentinel.com. Phone: 407-420-5158.