What’s the story behind Mary Jane shoes? Plus, 11 pairs to wear now that the trend is back
Seen all over the runways and on the feet of fashionable celebrities, the strappy shoe looks set to stay as a must-have.
Mary Jane shoes in every possible incarnation. (Art: Jasper Loh)
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Ballet flats were huge last year, and this year, the Mary Jane, another footwear classic, has made a comeback as the shoe trend du jour. The style is likely to remind you of the type of shoes your mother may have made you wear as a little girl, complete with white, frilly socks and your fanciest frocks – but are you still a fan of them in your grown-up years?
If you haven’t been for quite a while, now is a great time to rediscover them. There are plenty of stylish options since this strappy shoe is currently in trend – of course, they are nothing like the stiff, patent-leather styles that are associated with children’s footwear. The best thing about Mary Janes is that they are basically like ballet flats (although there are also heeled versions), with the addition of a single strap, which means they are mostly quite comfortable to wear.
A SHOE WITH A HISTORY
The shoe style existed long before it became known by the name Mary Jane. A widely worn style, mainly for children, starting from the late 19th century, the iconic moniker only came to be linked to it in 1904, a result of the marketing initiative of Brown Show Company, an American shoemaker that licensed a character’s name (Mary Jane, of course) from a comic series titled Buster Brown for its line of strap shoes for girls.
While Mary Janes were first associated with children’s footwear, they have gone on to become a classic staple for adults. In myriad designs and styles, they’ve endured the test of time and even taken the style spotlight several times thanks to transient fashion fads.
Mary Janes were first associated with children’s footwear, they have gone on to become a classic staple for adults.
CLASSIC, YET TRENDY
Flappers, notably, embraced them as part of their style in the Roaring Twenties. Mary Janes (T-bar, pump designs with a curved heel were favoured), were a quintessential component of the flapper look and the perfect complement to a fringed dress and feather headband.
They were also wildly popular during the mod movement in the sixties, and were frequently seen on Twiggy, who’s, needless to say, the poster girl for the biggest fashion trends of the era. Unlike the Mary Janes of the 1920s, the most popular mod versions had a shorter, broader stacked heel, and a thin strap over the top of the foot instead of T-bar straps.
The shoe then made another comeback in the 1990s in a bolder, edgier form. Fashion took an alternative twist as the grunge movement emerged then – chunky platform Mary Jane shoes with grommets and large buckles became popular, often worn with knee-high socks and torn fishnet stockings, to complete the, well, grunge-y aesthetic.
Today’s Mary Jane shoe designs are a lot different and infinitely more wearable that are in step with the latest trends. Options are aplenty right now, whether you prefer them flat or heeled, pointy or round-toed, understated and classic or in an eye-catching style and colourway. Here’s a selection of some of the most stylish picks to shop.
Vibi Venezia cotton-canvas Mary Jane flats, US$108/S$148, from Matchesfashion.com
This casual design has a vibe akin to that of school shoes of the past, except that it looks quirky and fun, thanks to the colour pairing of pale pink with a dark green trim.
Available at Matchesfashion.com.
Massimo Dutti flat patent-finish Mary Jane shoes, S$199
Another Mary-Jane style that shows how straps can play a big part in a shoe’s design, this pair is made for modern aesthete whose tastes lean towards the minimal and cool.
Available at Massimo Dutti.
Le Monde Beryl Satin Mary Jane pumps, US$416/S$571, from Matchesfashion.com
There’s good reason why stylish celebs including Kaia Gerber, Alexa Chung and Dakota Johnson are fans of this London brand’s shoes – they’re minimal, chic, well made and go with just about everything in their wardrobe.
Available at Matchesfashion.com.
Chie Mihara Odaina suede Mary Jane pumps, US$490/S$672, from Farfetch.com
This pair has got two appealing features – a vintage-styled design that’s not easy to come by, and thick block heels that are easier on the feet.
Available at Farfetch.com.
Carel Paris Kina square-toe pumps, S$686, from Farfetch.com
Three straps across the foot are better than one, according to this French shoemaker. This classic yet eye-catching design in patent leather is a versatile pick that you’ll wear for years to come.
Available at Farfetch.com.
No 21 Mary Jane flats, US$700/S$960, from Shopbop.com
A T-bar design with gilded toe caps for a gleaming accent that looks chic paired with pure white.
Available at Shopbop.com.
Maison Margiela Tabi Mary Jane heels, US$995/S$1,365, from Ssense.com
Fans of the iconic designer Tabi flats will be happy to know that it’s available in a Mary Jane style too, albeit with a stacked cylindrical high heel.
Available at Ssense.com.
Hermes Hoxton calfskin Mary Janes, S$1,450
A little bit of punk, a bit of street, these chunky shoes instantly add interest to a plain outfit.
Available at Hermes boutiques.
Manolo Blahnik Campari 90 polka-dot mesh Mary Jane pumps, S$1,446, from Net-a-porter.com
You can’t go wrong with this classy yet subtly playful pair of Mary-Jane stilettos in a sheer dotted mesh, perfect for jazzing up that cocktail dress.
Available at Manolo Blahnik boutiques.
Roger Vivier Tres Vivier crystal-embellished velvet Mary Jane pumps, S$1,761, from Net-a-porter.com
Clearly a luxe version of the iconic shoe style, in plush navy velvet and with a crystal-embellished buckle, which is a sparkling signature feature of the French shoe designer.
Available at Roger Vivier boutiques.
Chanel glitter and lambskin Mary Jane heels, S$2,230
Bring a little texture to your feet with this glistening pair of platform heels.
Available at Chanel boutiques.
