Discolored patent - YouLookFab Forum

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Discolored patent

Patience

Veteran

At the end of last season, I noticed that my yellow patent on the toe strap of my yellow sandals was starting to discolor. I really have no idea how this happened. It's not that something like dirt got on top of the sandal. The patent just seems to be discoloring to a blackish grey. Any ideas on how to fix this? I've tried nail polish remover but it didn't work. I'm bummed about having to give these sandals up.

General

14 replies

Latest reply was from shana

Anonymous

That is a shame. Is the dicoloration happening on the surface of the patent, or under the shiny surface? I have never experienced this before, but have not had light colored patent either.
I hope you bought them at a store that will take them back for this problem.
Can you get them to a cobbler to see what they have to say about it?

Patience

Veteran

San, it does seem that the discoloration is happening under the shiny surface. I got them at Nordstrom but I don't see what they can do. I wore them most of the summer before this occurred.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I've seen this exact thing happen on patent before, dulling to a blackish grey (but it's still shiny on top). I've seen it happen on expensive items too, not just cheap ones. It's weird, I'm not sure what causes it. I would take it to a cobbler and see what they say. You might at least find out what it is, and what causes it so maybe it can be avoided in the future. I'd be curious to know.

Ariadne

Veteran

This is happening in places to my red patent bag. Luckily the discolored areas are very small so it's not too noticeable, but I'm not thrilled.. Mysterious!

Patience

Veteran

Update. As San and Ana suggested, I took the sandals to the cobbler. He wasn't really sure what was discoloring the shoe, but his guess was moisture getting in the seems and then the layers on the patent separating. Anyway, he suggested redying the shoe as a fix. I'm a little skeptical about dying a shoe-- I guess they can do this. For $24.95 it seems a little pricey but my curiosity about the experiment won out and I decided to try it. I figure I'll at least get to see the results of dying a shoe and at best I'll have my sandals wearable. I'll be sure to report back.

Anonymous

Very interesting that he can dye patent leather. Keep us posted please.

Inge

(website)

Interesting indeed, I didn't realize they could dye patent leather. Do keep us posted!

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I know they can dye leather, but I didn't know they could do anything about patent. This will be interesting. I'm very curious to see how it turns out. Thanks for doing this, Patience!

lwc

Hey, Patience:

If you bought the shoes from Nordstrom, you might want to get them to fix or replace them before you go elsewhere. They pride themselves on customer service, and IME will take anything back to make it right. Our local Nordies even has a specific cobbler that they work with for shoe repair, etc. Plus, I don't think they'd charge you for it.

Just a suggestion...

Patience

Veteran

Update #2. It turns out all of you were right. They CANNOT dye patent. I guess they can dye vinyl. I'm debating whether to take the sandals into Nordstrom now that I know that a cobbler can't do anything. I wore them enough last summer that I don't really feel justified in asking for monetary compensation.

Anyway, it's a big bummer because it dawned on me that these sandals were my one pair of taller sandal wedges. And I have no idea what to replace them with. I'll probably try the cedar city sandal but I'm having a hard time figuring out which color will work with the bulk of my wardrobe as the yellow sandals did. A metallic wedge would be great, but I can't help feeling that I'd prefer a pale gold.

lwc

Patience,

You could just try Nordies first, and see what they can do. I got the impression that maybe the shoe was defective, but maybe I misunderstood. If you feel funny about doing this, due to the passage of time and wear, then don't.

I'm jealous! I can't fit the KC Cedar City wedges, and I really liked them. Darn narrow feet! They are very comfortable and cute. The pewter (I tried these on) would go with a lot of your wardrobe, wouldn't it? There is also a bronze color, but you'll have to search for it.

Maya

Veteran

That's awful Patience. I wonder how the moisture got in there to begin with. Are they available anywhere where you can repurchase them? Or do you just not want to bother after this incident? I wonder if it's just this one pair of shoes that had a defect.

Patience

Veteran

Lesley, I think we are in the same boat with summer wedges, although I don't have the same fit issues. I've gotten to the point that every time I find a cute wedge, I check for your size too ;). Zappos has your SW wedge in a lower heel-- the style is called Circles-- but I don't think they have it in narrow width. The wedge I tried is called Hurdle. It might be worth it to call a store and see if they can track these down in your size.

Maya, I did look into replacing with the exact same shoe but can't find it. I think Nordstrom is the only place that carried them last year.

shana

Veteran

Bummer about the shoes! Like Maya, I was going to suggest replacing since many discount retailers will carry previous year's models. Maybe Nordstrom Rack since it was carried at Nordstrom?

I saw the KC Cedar City on sale at Macy's yesterday for $59.99 (in pewter). Plus they had a promotion going on where you get 20% off when you get two pairs of sandals. The straps were indeed very comfy & non-restricting like many strappy sandals but for some reason, they felt really odd on my foot which is weird because I wear mostly wedge sandals.