Grace Van Patten gave a sharp morning spin to patent leather in New York on Tuesday, arriving to film “Good Morning America” in glossy black pumps.
The silhouette was stripped to essentials: a pointed toe, narrow stiletto and slim ankle strap fastened close to the arch. Cut in high-shine patent, the shoes kept their impact in surface and proportion rather than embellishment. Sheer black hosiery extended the line, giving the heel a direct, uninterrupted finish.
Grace Van Patten
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Her outfit balanced softness against that sharp shine. A gold satin off-the-shoulder mini brought volume at the neckline and a liquid sheen through the body, while a black shoulder bag circled the look back to the shoes. Worn loose, her hair echoed the dress’ flowy feel, leaving the patent to frame the structure. The look was styled by Ryan Young.
A closer look at Grace Van Patte’s glossy black patent leather high heels featuring an ankle strap.
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Speaking to WWD last week, Van Patten admitted she’s warming to Y2K codes she once resisted. “The low-rise jean, the ballet flats and Uggs, and I was very against it at first but now I’m completely leaning into it, and guilty,” she said. Her heels on Tuesday worked as a counterpoint — not trend churn, but the kind of classic that returns each season with only minor edits.
That classic has been reasserting itself across carpets this summer. Tracee Ellis Ross wore Givenchy’s Sculpted pump in glossy black at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival. Lindsey Vonn buckled into patent stilettos for her Red Bull anniversary event. Nicole Kidman chose Balenciaga’s Avenue pump during couture week in Paris. Each made the case for surface as statement — patent leather as the punctuating detail that can carry an entire silhouette.
For Van Patten, the decision tracked with Young’s styling approach: keep the frame lean, let one piece lock the look. The ankle strap did that work here, securing the line while keeping the focus on cut and finish.
Best known as Lucy in Hulu’s “Tell Me Lies,” Van Patten has built a screen presence on tension and restraint. On Tuesday morning, her shoes carried the same message: polished, pared back and just sharp enough to balance out the softness of the rest of her ensemble.