The classic Mary Jane shoe is easily identifiable: a low-cut, closed leather shoe with a strap over the top of the foot and fastened by a buckle, a button, or Velcro. It has a thin outsole or very low heel.
Also called bar or doll shoes, Mary Janes are usually associated with children’s school or formal footwear. However, they’ve also captivated adults, especially women, over the decades—so much so that they’ve even been enshrined in pop culture. Who could forget the moment Carrie Bradshaw, in Sex and the City, squealed with delight in the Vogue accessories closet, holding a pair of Manolo Blahnik Mary Janes, exclaiming, “I thought these were an urban shoe myth!”
This iconic scene highlights how Mary Jane shoes have evolved into a fashion staple. They are not only chic and versatile but deeply embedded in popular culture. Learn more about the different types of Mary Janes, or explore our guide to buying gorgeous Mary Jane shoes to find your perfect pair.
As a tribute to these timeless shoes, let’s dive into their origins, discover how to style them for any occasion, and celebrate their enduring appeal!
Mary Jane Shoes: A Journey Through Time
1902 – A comic strip called Buster Brown, drawn by R.F. Outcault, was first published in the New York Herald. The character Buster Brown has a sister named Mary Jane, and they both sport classic bar shoes.
1904 – Outcault sold licenses of his Buster Brown characters to various companies, including the Brown Shoe Company, an American footwear company. They created a girls’ line of shoes, similar to that in the comic strip, and called it Mary Jane shoes!
In the 1920s, shoes became desirable to women, and the “grown-up” Mary Jane shoes also became dancing shoes in the Roaring Twenties— usually in sophisticated hand-painted designs and made of silk satins.
In the 1930s, Mary Jane became a big hit among girls in North America. When child star Shirley Temple donned a pair in Harry Lachman’s 1934 drama-comedy Baby, Take a Bow, Mary Janes skyrocketed to fame.
Mary Janes boomed in the 1930s after little Shirley Temple wore a pair in Baby, Take a Bow movie
The 1940s – 1960s – The Mary Jane shoes’ popularity crossed continents, and European girls also began clamoring for them.
In the sixties, English fashion designer Mary Quant made British icon Twiggy wear one, and the shoes boomed, with brands like Yves Saint Laurent and Dior making their line of Mary Janes.
In the 1990s – Grunge alternative rock singer Courtney Love thrilled the fashion industry and trumpeted her pair of Mary Janes, further solidifying this style of shoes as timelessly appealing.
Then the ‘90s iconic teen film Clueless arrived, with star Alicia Silverstone wearing a silver pair, matched with a short plaid miniskirt and knee socks.
Alicia Silverstone wearing Mary Jane shoes with knee-high socks on the set of the 1995 movie Clueless
Present Day – The Mary Janes are still gracing catwalks, Hollywood films, and famous TV shows, from Sex and the City to Gossip Girl.
Brands like Manolo Blahnik and Comme des Garçons still sell this classic shoe in exciting variations!
From Silver Screens to Red Carpets: Mary Janes Shine Bright
Mary Jane shoes are incredibly versatile, pairing seamlessly with everything from shorts and trousers to miniskirts, maxi skirts, leggings, and dresses. It screams childlike yet ultra-fashionable.
Keira Knightley, Liv Tyler, Selma Blair, Katy Perry, and Chloe Moretz show how to wear Mary Jane shoes with chic outfits (Credit: Apega / Avalon / WENN)
Celebrities have embraced Mary Jane shoes, showcasing their versatility and timeless appeal through various styles and settings. Here are some notable appearances:
Mary Jane shoes continue to captivate audiences by complementing styles ranging from playful and youthful to sophisticated and edgy.
Practical Styling Tips: The Utility of Mary Jane Shoes
Mary Jane shoes are a versatile addition to any wardrobe, seamlessly blending classic charm with modern trends. Here are some practical tips to style them:
By integrating Mary Jane shoes into various outfits, you can effortlessly achieve a timeless and fashionable look suitable for any occasion.
Why Mary Jane Shoes Remain a Global Fashion Icon
Mary Jane shoes, with their era-defying style, are here to stay. From its humble beginnings as the shoes of an illustrated little girl in a Sunday comic strip, it has found its way to the runways in Fashion Week and is always featured by fashion editors.
The exciting thing about Mary Janes is how it continuously evolves into modern— and even futuristic designs— while retaining its fundamental design: the strap across the foot.
Whether you see yourself as a sensible, functional dresser or a fashionista, chances are you already have a pair of Mary Janes in your closet—or are eyeing your next addition. Even celebrities like the Kardashians have embraced this timeless style, proving that Mary Janes can elevate any wardrobe, from everyday chic to red-carpet glam!
Kourtney Kardashian Redefines Mary Jane Glam
A Kardashian? In Mary Jane sandals? Mary Jane sandals do have a reputation for being conservative and old-fashioned. Still, Kourtney Kardashian buckled the stereotype at the “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” season premiere in August 2010.
The reality star picked a sassy set of strappy, leopard print and platform Mary Jane slingbacks to complete her all-black outfit.
Kourtney Kardashian wears her hair down at the “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” Season 5 Premiere Party held on August 19, 2010, at Tro$ale West in Los Angeles (Credit: Nikki Nelson / WENN / Adriana M. Barraza)
Kourtney wore a high-necked all-black mini dress with long sheer sleeves and sheer sides showing ample side boob.
Kourtney Kardashian smiles for photos in an all-black ensemble at the recent series premiere of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” (Credit: Nikki Nelson / WENN / Adriana M. Barraza)
The shortest Kardashian sister styled her dark hair into loose waves and wore dramatic eye makeup and nude lipgloss.
Kourtney Kardashian demonstrates how to elevate Mary Jane heels by pairing leopard-print platforms with a sleek black mini dress and sheer sleeves for a bold, chic evening look
She carried a gold clutch as she posed for photos with her momager, Kris Jenner.
Kourtney Kardashian and her mother, Kris Jenner, pose for photos on the red carpet (Credit: Nikki Nelson / WENN / Adriana M. Barraza)
Kris wore an off-the-shoulder Dolman-sleeved brown mini dress as she posed with her daughter. Kourtney finished her ensemble with the strappy, sexy, leopard-print Mary Jane sandals.
Kourtney Kardashian’s strappy leopard-print Mary Jane platforms make a bold statement, combining animal print with sleek patent details for a glamorous edge
And a few days after, she graced the Los Angeles Confidential Magazine Fall Fashion issue celebration in a different — and more classic-looking — pair of Mary Janes.
Kourtney Kardashian pulls her hair back for the Los Angeles Confidential Magazine’s Fall Fashion Issue Celebration held on August 25, 2010, at the London West Hollywood Hotel in West Hollywood (Credit: Nikki Nelson / WENN / Adriana M. Barraza)
For the event, Kourtney wore a black-and-white mini dress that featured lace panels, beaded accents, and a fringed hem.
Kim Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian pose for photos at the Los Angeles Confidential Magazine’s Fall Fashion Issue Celebration (Credit: Nikki Nelson / WENN / Adriana M. Barraza)
She posed for photos with her sister Kim Kardashian, who wore a skintight almond-colored minidress cinched at the waist with a large accented belt.
Kim Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian wear neutral-hued dresses as they pose for photos on the black carpet (Credit: Nikki Nelson / WENN / Adriana M. Barraza)
While Kim picked a pair of strappy silver red-soled sandals, Kourtney wore a pair of classic-looking black patent Mary Jane pumps featuring almond toes, platforms, stiletto heels, ankle straps, and yellow lining in the soles on the bottoms of the shoes.
Kourtney Kardashian’s black patent Mary Jane pumps with bold yellow soles add a striking pop of color
Which pair of Kourtney’s Mary Jane pumps do you prefer? And which outfit is best?
