Patent shoes can finish a outfit off, so patent leather how does it gets its name shoe makers coat the leather that gives it a high gloss shine, patent shoes have been around since 1819 and today its still very popular today. Most popular question asked by those choosing a patent shoe can patent shoes be stretched like a simple leather shoe No it cant so get your fit right but they will last you a long time, and for cleaning you can only use a patent leather cleaner this will keep the patent nourished.