The Mary Jane Shoe Goes Heels
COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM @ALICEDETOGNI
Everyone growing up in the early 2000s had to have been wearing the Mary Jane shoe. I know my mom put these shoes on me while I got ready for preschool. Originally popularized in the 1990s for children, they soon grew popular in the world of goths, punks, and Lolita fans as well.
Mary Janes typically are a low heeled shoe with a singular strap that goes across your foot with a buckle. The versatile nature of the shoe has made parents’ lives easier as they can be dressed up or down.
Inspired by Buster Brown, a comic strip character from the early 1900s by Richard F. Outcault for the New York Herald. Brown was a wealthy schoolboy, but a mischievous prankster. However, he was also setting trends for young girls later on in the future.
Some high-end brands have been transitioning their typical glamorous heel into a heel with a strap going across the ankle and a rounded toe. Of course some brands have had their own funky take on the classic look, but they all embody the Buster Brown Mary Jane that made fashion history.
Valentino
VALENTINO GARAVANI TAN-GO PLATFORM PUMP, $1150
Coming in black, pink, light ivory, and orange, Valentino creates a 2.2 inch platform Mary Jane. The patent leather gives the heel such an elegant touch along with a dainty strap and a gold Valentino buckle.
Tom Ford
TOM FORD SATIN MARY JANE PUMP, $1490
Tom Ford’s Mary Jane pump is out of stock online at the moment (to no surprise). However, we can admire the beauty of the pointed gold toe and the two straps on the top and bottom of the foot. The gold heel adds even more contrast. This heel is to die for.
Versace
VERSACE MEDUSA AEVITAS PLATFORM PUMPS, $1425
Had to bring out the fuschia instead of the black for this one. With colors that are so eye-catching, we could not avoid this opportunity to share. Coming in green, fuschia, lilac, yellow, black, a dusty rose pink, and red it does not get more beautiful than this. To add, the strap is bejeweled. Versace, you are doing great sweetie.
Amina Muaddi
AMINA MUADDI YIGIT TRIANGLE PLATEAU PUMPS, $1355
We are talkin’ funky now. The angular heel is so cool and definitely a way to spice up a Mary Jane. This heel is in high demand in both the patent leather style and the silk-satin fabric. They are exquisite!
Nodaleto
NODALETO BULLA BABIES BLOCK 85MM HEEL MARY JANE PUMPS, $893
These babies are the chunky platform punk girl look you may be looking for. You would be the coolest girl on the block if you wore these out for the day or a night on the town. The two strap Mary Jane with a rounded toe but modernized has changed the game.
Christian Louboutin
CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN MOVIDA PLATFORM MARY JANE PUMP, $1075
If you want red bottoms, Christian Louboutin also has the Mary Jane in their repertoire. Louboutin takes on the classic shoe with two straps instead of one and a chunkier look to give it some edge.
Manolo Blanik
MANOLO BLANIK CAMPARI BLACK PATENT LEATHER POINTED TOE PUMPS, $745
Simple, elegant, and sleek, can we expect anything less from Manolo Blanik? The black patent leather heel has a pointed toe and singular strap that attaches to the other side for closure with a button. The heel itself is modernized, however, still maintains a classic look.
Miu Miu
MIU MIU DECOLLETE MARY JANE HEELS, $910
A classy, chic take on Mary Janes, Miu Miu creates a black patent leather, chunky heel with a white rounded toe. The chain strap and pearl button makes the shoe that much more unique and eye-catching. If I saw these in the store I know they would be grabbing my attention.
