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Spring – as in the real season and not the fashion season – is fast approaching once again. It’s time to put those Wellingtons back into warm weather hibernation and put your best leather-clad foot forward. And for 2009, the best shoes to wear for that activity would be the shiniest ones you could get your hands on.

Now, this design isn’t really groundbreaking, but it’s been a long time since designer brands have produced them in such quantities. This exquisite leather-handled tote from Gucci Shoes comes from the Geant Canvas Line, one of the – count ‘em – four canvas lines from the prestigious house. Gucci Shoes also has its share of fabric action, such as this professional-looking canvas Gucci Shoes.

Of course, patent leather shoes are the quintessential gentleman’s accessories for formal evenings and black-tie events. Designs like this patent black Ferragamo laceup are classics in any collection of Gucci men’s shoes. But you can move beyond the realm of the black tie affair yet still remain on-trend.

When combined with less formal designs like loafers (this design from Armani is a classic example), patent leather could either modernize a formal look or jazz up a more casual one. In fact, any lace-less design – which is often seen as the more casual version of the leather shoe – gets an instant style upgrade from the added shine. And you can’t deny that patent really is eye-catching, no matter what you do.

Even more casual is the sneaker Gucci Shoes design that Lanvin popularized a couple of seasons back with their brightly colored patent high-cut shoes. Now every brand from Gucci to YSL has come up with its own version of this hot must-have item. It doesn’t stop at black either; colors from fire engine red to midnight blue have been seen down the runways. They’re great for adding life to even your plainest and oldest jeans-and-tee combo.

If you want to get on with this trend of Gucci Shoes, you’d better get on with the program soon. People seem to be picking up on new fashion movements rather quickly nowadays, so your patent shoes could be more ‘has-been’ than ‘haute’ in just a couple of months.