Are Mary Janes The Hero Shoe Of SS23? Here Are 39 Pairs To Shop Now
From Prada’s modern reworked version to the quintessentially Parisian brands making waves on Instagram, Mary Janes are back for SS23 and very much having a moment. Here are the pick of the bunch from fashion’s classic Marmite shoe.
They don’t cater to everyone’s style tastes but there’s no denying that Mary Janes are having somewhat of a renaissance. The equal parts coquettish and chic shoe has been spotted on everyone from Alexa Chung (naturally) to an unexpected fan, J Lo, at New York Fashion Week and the high street has jumped on the bandwagon, with a plethora of offerings in myriad styles.
The Mary Jane has a rich fashion history, from the daintier pairs of the 1920s to the chunky platforms of the 1970s and the indie it-Girl vibe of the early noughties, influenced hugely by the likes of Alexa. But it’s the classic shape favoured by Parisian style girls that we love best – think scarlet red or patent cream with a block sensible-high heel and one classic strap.
Zara
Block-Heel Slingback Shoes
£49.99
The Mary Jane has long been the perfect partner to denim and a classic Chanel-style bouclé jacket, but if you want to give the look a modern, cooler spin, go looser with your jeans.
If flats are more your thing there are plenty to choose from this season, from Le Monde Beryl’s sumptuously soft velvet pair – we love the olive green shade, to Aedye’s snow white simple pair that feel a little more pulled together than this season’s other shoe revival, the ballet flat. We love this style paired with failsafe denim or cigarette pants and a trusty cashmere sweater.
Zara’s light-wash cut-offs give these double strap MJ’s a tougher feel.
By the time summer comes around, the Mary Jane marries so well with a coquettish ditsy print tea dress – lean into the vintage feel of the look – think Jane Birkin back in the day or the effortless style of Parisian It-girl Jeanne Damas.
Whether you’re into the Mary Jane look or not, there’s no denying it’s one of the chicest, most timeless shoes out there. It’s simplicity just keeps coming back.
Scroll to shop our edit of the best Mary Janes for SS23…
THE BEST HEELED MARY JANES
THE BEST FLAT MARY JANES
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