Fashion / Style

18 Mary Janes that channel Parisienne cool for the winter season

mary jane shoes

The Mary Jane is a shoe that has transcended both time and trends, its legacy beginning in the early 1900s when The Brown Shoe Company, a Missouri-based manufacturer, began marketing it as a formal footwear option for young children. Wondering how the Mary Jane earned its now-iconic name? Initially, the shoe was named the "bar" shoe — as you've probably guessed, after the distinguishable bar-like strap that runs across the top of the foot. But in the early 20th century, it earned the name "Mary Jane", thanks to the eponymous character in the Buster Brown comic strip, Mary Jane, who frequently wore the style.

WHile the Mary Jane's roots are in youth fashion, by the 1920s, the trend had long shed its associations with childhood, becoming the go-to shoe for flappers, as a comfortable but chic option for dancing. And in the years since, they've become something of a cult footwear trend, popularised by style icons across decades, from Twiggy and Jane Birkin, to Alexa Chung and Dakota Johnson. And in the process, of course, they've become a versatile and sophisticated staple in the RUSSH team's wardrobes.

 

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The shoe’s refined, feminine silhouette, complete with its signature strap across the foot, has earned it a permanent spot in both high fashion and everyday wardrobes. In summer, mesh Mary Janes are the perfect way to feel chic (and perhaps show off your fresh pedicure). And in winter, throw on a pair of cashmere socks and you've got a footwear look that exudes Parisienne charm.

 

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In recent years, luxury houses like Chanel, Gucci, and Prada have adopted the Mary Jane, bringing it to their runways and into the heart of the trend cycle. With the return of girlhood in 2023 where bows and pastels took centre stage for a hot minute, and balletcore a consistent favourite amongst the fashion crowd, it's no surprise the Mary Jane is on our minds right now. This isn't to say that Mary Janes have not held a permanent seat in the trend cycle for mere decades, but that similarly to the ballet flat and the penny loafer, they're dipped their shiny toes back into the mainstream once more.

In honour of the iconic shoe, we're rounding up our favourite Mary Janes of the season, below. From classic iterations via Chanel to those with a cult following like Maison Margiela's Tabi shoe to Ms. Prada who has been doling out iconic pumps for as long as we can remember...

 

1. CHANEL Mary Janes

chanel mary janes

 

2. MAISON MARGIELA Tabi Mary Janes

 

3. PRADA Printed leather ballerinas

prada mary jane ballerinas

 

4. SANDY LIANG Black Double Strap Ballerina Flatssandy liang mary janes

 

5. THE ROW Boheme leather Mary Jane ballet flats

 

6. PROENZA SCHOULER Mary Jane lug-sole shoes

Mary Janes

 

7. SUZANNE RAE Mary Janes

Mary Janes

 

8. COS Buckled Ballet Flats

 

9. CAREL PARIS Kina in Red

 

10. MIU MIU Leather Ballerinas

 

11. BOTTEGA VENETA Taupe Astaire Mary-Jane Ballerina Flats

12. SALMON RX Marie-Jeanne leather-trimmed mesh sandals

salomon mary janes

 

13. REFORMATION Bethany Ballet Flat

reformation ballet flats

 

14. GANNI Dark Olive Buckle Strap Ballerinas

ganni ballerinas

 

15. AEYDE Uma Leather Mary Jane Ballet Flats

aeyde mary jane ballet flats

 

16. ALAÏA Mesh Ballet Flat

alaia mesh mary janes

 

17. ALIAS MAE Pip Mary Janes

 

18. Sezane Mélanie Mary Janes

sezane mary janes

 

19. Charles & Keith Yunna Metallic Leather & Recycled Fabric Mary Jane Sneakers

mary janes

 

20. Jo Mercer Willis Mary Janes

jo mercer mary janes


If you're looking for something more comfortable in the cooler weather, our round up of the best designer sneakers of the year has you covered. Otherwise, if you're interested in what footwear the team at RUSSH are wearing this chilly season, look no further because we've ventured down that road as well. Happy shopping.

 

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