As a card carrying member of the flat foot society, the thought of a ballet flat resurgence à la the early 2010s instils a sense of dread in my soul — not to mention in my soles. While those with high arches and ballerina-like poise may manage to pull them off, their unstructured uppers and flimsy soles are no match for the decided inelegance of my feet which are far more at home in boots or chunky loafers.
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However, the Mary Jane trend is one I can get behind. Translating the coquette energy of a ballet flat into a more ‘sensible’ (yet undeniably cute!) shoe style, Mary Janes exude Parisian chic while keeping your feet in check — and in place — with their signature strap closure and loafer-adjacent structural support.
The best Mary Janes are able to toe the line between practicality and style, easily complementing preppy and traditionally feminine outfits while acting as a visual foil to trousers, jeans, and suiting.
Much like the separation between church and state, it’s recommended to keep some distance between your bare soles and the concrete; which is why the options on this list come with a thick sole, a small platform, or a heel. Herewith, the best Mary Janes for every taste.
The best Mary Janes for women in 2023
1. Vagabond Vivian Mary Janes
With a pointed toe, slightly overextended soles, and a statement heel, the Vagabond Vivian Mary Janes represent an edgy take on the traditionally demure silhouette.
2. Charles & Keith Claudie Patent Buckled Mary Janes
Available in five shades, these Mary Janes feature a glossy patent finish and three buckle closure. Their blocky cylindrical heel design adds height without sacrificing comfort; and at under $100AUD, they’re an unbeatable value proposition.
3. Ganni Everyday Buckle Mary Jane Shoes
Proving Mary Janes needn’t be twee, the Ganni Everyday Buckle Mary Jane Shoes turn the traditionally feminine style into a pair of statement stompers. Crafted from lightweight materials, the t-bar style features a sculptural sole, contrast stitching, and cut-out details.
4. Charles & Keith Patent Crystal-Embellished Mary Janes
The two-tone finish of these Charles & Keith Patent Crystal-Embellished Mary Janes is reminiscent of a certain pair of Chanel slingbacks, with the black-and-white colour scheme one that will transcend trends. The delicate crystal embellished buckle makes for an elevated touch.
5. Carel Kina
For Carel, Mary Janes never went out of style. The Parisian label has been pioneering the Mary Jane long before it reentered our collective consciousness. Instantly recognisable to those in the know by their signature three strap closure, the Carel Kina is a low-heel style with an almond toe. Executed in supple leather, this burgundy iteration features a patent finish, with velvet options also available.
6. Reformation Mimi Buckle Pump
Working to elevate the humble Mary Jane to night-out status, the Reformation Mimi Buckle Pump is crafted from patent leather and features a three strap closure with crystal embellished buckles.
7. Rouje Babies Shoes
An angled double strap closure keeps these square-toed Mary Janes interesting, as does the subtle ‘R’ branding on the heel.
8. Prada Brushed-leather Mary Jane T-strap shoes
Prada offers a rebellious schoolgirl take on the classic Mary Jane, with this black leather t-bar style seeing clean, formal lines loosened up by a chunky buckle, sturdy rubber soles, and the lettered logo in white.
9. Dr. Martens 8065 Mary Jane
While best known for its combat boots, Dr. Martens also does a pretty cool Mary Jane. Crafted from leather with a perforated upper and constructed with a Goodyear welt, this t-bar style features the brand’s signature yellow welt stitching, while the dual straps are secured with two branded vintage-style buckles.
FAQ
Mary Janes refer to closed-toe shoes secured with a minimum of one strap across the instep. While most feature uncovered uppers, some designers interpret these with t-bar styles or utilise up to three straps. Mary Jane shoes were traditionally flat or low-heeled, however contemporary iterations see them take on blocky medium to high heels.
The name ‘Mary Jane’ was coined by the Brown Shoe Company of Missouri in 1904, which named their bar shoes after Mary Jane, the character in Richard Felton Outcault’s comic Buster Brown. The girlfriend of te eponymous character, Mary Jane was always seen sporting the style, with the name sticking around for over a century.
There’s no wrong way to style Mary Janes. While their feminine disposition lends them to work well with preppy pieces like cardigans, pleated skirts, tweed sets, and a string of pearls, these doesn’t have to be the case. Paired with a mini dress, heeled iterations work well as an alternative to traditional ‘going out’ shoes. Meanwhile, they also play well into the TikTok-approved ‘wrong shoe theory’. Coined by celebrity stylist Allison Bornstein, it involves using unexpected footwear choices to make an otherwise staid outfit seem interesting; here, Mary Janes can be used to elevate an outfit of jeans and a t-shirt or paired with cargo pants or slim-fitting pant suits.
Words by Arabella Johnson
Cover and feature image courtesy of Carel
