Mary Janes Are All the Way Back
From patent block-heel Mary Jane shoes to velvet flats, reacquaint yourself with the perfect transition-into-spring pick.
This article was originally published on February 22, 2023 and has been updated.
If your last time wearing Mary Jane shoes coincided with kindergarten graduation, let us get you up to speed on the season’s seen-everywhere shoe.
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From New York all the way to Paris, you couldn’t blink without missing a Mary Jane moment. There was Coach’s heart-stamped heels, Emilia Wickstead’s metallic-meets-minimalist options, and Prada’s Western-influenced iterations coming in a kaleidoscope of zingy colour that popped with every look. Even Bally got the boys into a black patent version paired with languid suiting, making us question why we hadn’t thought of it as the most obvious choice for evening wear in the first place.
Soon, the street style elite followed suit, putting their own spin on the buzz-worthy style: pairing them with pristine white dress socks, delicately scrunched at the ankle; off-setting zany tights or trousers with a neutral pair; and leaning into its preppy reputation with long pleated skirts.
If you’re wondering whether the Mary Jane resurgence has reached the mainstream, here’s the good news: this season’s offering pretty much spans the entire style spectrum. From teetering patent platforms to velvety ballet flats and T-strapped oxfords with chunky, punk-happy soles, there’s truly a pair for everyone. Read on for 19 of our favourite pairs of Mary Jane shoes.
Poppy Barley
The Studio Mary Jane
($275, Poppy Barley )
With files from Jennifer Berry
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Jillian Vieira is a Toronto-based writer and wardrobe stylist. The former Style Director at The Kit, her work can now be seen in FASHION, ELLE Canada, the Toronto Star and Toronto Life among others.
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