They were the shoe popularised in the early 1900s when a Missouri shoe manufacturer, The Brown Shoe Company, began marketing them for young children as a formal option. Transcending time, trends, and the cartoon character the shoe was initially named after, we can still appreciate the Mary Jane for it's refined, feminine silhouette and classic touch.

The shoe that was once for the school yard and church-goers was adopted by luxury houses like Chanel, Gucci and Prada on their runways and into 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, 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

 

2. MAISON MARGIELA Tabi Mary Janes

 

3. PRADA Mary Jane T-strap shoes

 

4. SANDY LIANG Mary Jane Pointe Shoe

 

5. NICOLE SALDANA Fabiana

 

6. THE ROW Ava leather ballet flats

 

7. PROENZA SCHOULER Mary Jane lug-sole shoes

 

8. SUZANNE RAE Mary Janes

 

9. COS Mary Ballerina Flats

 

10. CAREL PARIS Kina in Red

 

11. MIU MIU Two-tone leather pumps

 

12. HEREU Dansa leather ballerina shoes

 

13. CHARLES & KEITH Mesh Platform Mary Jane Sneakers

 

14. BY FAR Ginny Pump

 

15. GANNI White Cleated Mary Jane Shoes

 

16. MANSUR GAVRIEL Square Toe Mary Jane

 

17. CHARLES & KEITH Laine Platform Mary Janes

 

18. LOEWE Campo Mary Janes

 

19. BOTTEGA VENETA Lug Mary-Jane

 

20. VALENTINO GARAVANI VLogo Locker Mary Jane flats

 

21. VIKTORIA & WOODS Otis Ballet Flat

 

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If you're looking for something more comfortable in the cooler weather, our round up of the best designer sneakers so far in 2024 will add to your life. Otherwise, if you're interested in what footwear the team at RUSSH are wearing this chilly season, look no further because we've covered that as well. Happy shopping.