There is much to say about the Mary Jane shoe including the strap and the round toe of the shoe; in fact, its background is an interesting one as it passed from a child’s shoe to a women’s shoe. One thing is certain; they are incredibly diverse and can fit a number of more or less strict styles, from preppy to classic to grunge. The five key looks styled with Mary Janes that this article presents demonstrate just how versatile the shoe is and how you can use it.
A Brief History of Mary Janes:
Before diving into styling tips, it’s worth acknowledging the evolution of Mary Janes. First created as high-top shoes with sturdy structures for children in the early part of the twentieth century, they became more famous through the comic strip Buster Brown and finally became associated with the spirit of youth and purity. Since the middle of the twentieth century, they were popular among such subcultures as flappers in the 1920s and mods in the 1960s that entered fashion history. Modern women’s Mary Janes are still popular and can be found in countless variations, including materials, heels, and decorations.
Key Elements of Mary Janes:
Understanding the key elements of Mary Janes will help you appreciate their versatility:
- Closed, Rounded Toe: This is one main feature of Mary Janes, which we think makes them appear traditional or ‘baby-ish’.
- Single or Multiple Straps: The strap across the instep is another innovation the company has incorporated about style and support. The variations include devices with multiple straps if you want something more trendy or sporty.
- Low to High Heels: Heel options of Mary Janes include flat soles, chunky platforms, and high-heeled ones.
- Materials: Leather is the traditional material but the Mary Janes can also be manufactured using patent leather and suede and even canvas and others made with sewing machine thread like bonded nylon thread.
- Embellishments: Mouldings or insoles may bear buckles, bows, studs, or embroidery, and some Mary Jane footwear exudes personality.
5 Distinct Ways to Style Mary Janes:
Here are five distinct approaches to styling Mary Janes, showcasing their adaptability to different aesthetics:
- Preppy and Classic:
It lacks patterns, graffiti, and so on. This style is very conservative and close to what the Mary Janes are all about and that is why it is called preppy.
Outfit Ideas:
- A-line skirt, blouse, and a cardigan.
- The skirt of the plush check, and turtleneck and, hold your neigh-sayers tail, opaque tights.
- A straight-leg jeans, a white button-down shirt, and a black blazer.
- Pleated dress together with a well-fitted jacket.
Shoe Choice: Stilettos, strappy heels, open-toed shoes, sandals, sneakers, dress shoes, wings, platforms, wedges, or any other shoe variant except the Marian Janes – they should be black leather and not very high-heeled.
Accessories: Necklace, pearl; Earrings, studs; Bag – a structured one; Legs, knee high sock or tights.
Overall Vibe: Glossy, classic, and classy.
- Modern and Edgy:
Aspects that depart from directives defining Mary Janes, these styles put the shoes to more modern usage, inserting them into ensembles with more rebellious elements.
Outfit Ideas:
- Leather pants, a band T-shirt and a moto jacket.
- Leather pants, a loose winter, and a bomber leather jacket.
- Slip dress fishnet tights and leather trench coat.
- A mini skirt, a graphic t-shirt, and a denim jacket.
Shoe Choice: Wide or thick soles Mary Janes, Many strapped Mary Janes, Mary Janes with studs or metalworks.
Accessories: They wore thick necklaces with pendants on chains, thick metal rings, studded bags, and dark lips.
Overall Vibe: Cool, punk, and Chic.
- Feminine and Romantic:
One can learn the features of this style emphasizing the gentle and fragile aspect of Mary Janes worn with flowing fabrics, pastel colors, and details.
Outfit Ideas:
- Light dress with flowers, a cardigan, and small accessories.
- Lace skirt, silk blouse, and the knitted soft sweater.
- Wearable like a maxi dress with the texture of the denim jacket.
- Pale blue dress and a light jacket.
Shoe Choice: Pastel-colored Mary Janes, suede Mary Janes, or Mary Janes with simple ornamentations such as bows or stitches.
Accessories: Some of the beautiful items include; Flowers in the hair, tender necklaces, a woven basket, and tender lipstick.
Overall Vibe: Lovely, fairylike, and pretty.
- Casual and Comfortable:
This approach includes comfortable and informal shoes – Mary Janes worn with casual clothing to both look and feel comfortable.
Outfit Ideas:
- Jeans, a T-shirt, and a cardigan.
- Overalls and a striped top.
- Shorts and a graphic tee.
- Business wear but do not wear any accessories, and jeans with a black denim jacket.
Shoe Choice: The flat Mary Janes in leather, canvas, or other flexible and comfortable material.
Accessories: Backpack, baseball cap, daily jewelry, and a comfortable sock.
Overall Vibe: Free, natural, and utilitarian.
- Retro and Vintage-Inspired:
It is familiar with a focus requested by the previous years and mixes some pieces and positioning from the past decades.
Outfit Ideas:
- Swing dress with a fitted cardigan (pin-up girl inspired from the 50ties).
- Pants that fit high on the waist, tucked in blouse-wearing, and a belt – All related to 1940 discrete fashion style.
- Mini skirt, GB turtleneck sweater, and knee-high socks (Inspired by the year 1960).
- A fashion flare pants, a fitted top, and a vest inspired by the 1970s style.
Shoe Choice: Mary Janes is used in older models such as T-strap, thick heels, or contrasting colors.
Accessories: A silk scarf, pearls, an over-the-hip skirt, a pillbox hat, and big cat-eye glasses, hairstyles inspired by this era.
Overall Vibe: Cute, sweet, and all the trademarks of a good ol’ fashion retro feel.
Choosing the Right Mary Janes for Your Style:
When choosing Mary Janes, consider these factors:
- Heel Height: Select a heel height you are comfortable to wear for some time and try to avoid pain as much as possible.
- Material: Think about the material depending on the season and whether you like this type of fabric or not. The common types of leather are used and the more premium material is leather suede which gives a softer feel.
- Color: Black is functional but the other colors that look attractive are brown, white, and pastel colors.
- Embellishments: Select trims that properly fit your personality and the look that you want to achieve in your home decor.
Conclusion
Mary Janes are very functional shoes that allow for their wear in many varying guises. If you are conversant with the pieces and experiment with how to style them then you can easily style them in the following ways; For those who like traditional and glossy designs, or for those who prefer something extraordinary and individual, Mary Janes will suit any event and are really comfortable.
