I have been wearing "Opera Pumps" for over 50 years. Although they did make calfskin I always liked the patent leather. The BB ones seems to have a thinner sole and the AE some what thicker. The thinner ones are better for dancing.
It takes guts to wear bows. But having lived in NYC most men think nothing of wearing bows.I neither like patent leather or the thought of wearing bows on my feet....but that's just me.
That told, I am always on the hunt for a more formal "pump" in calf (sans the bow). Shipton makes suede models with and without bows.