Variations of the Mary Jane shoe have been a style staple since the early 1900s. Their popularity and silhouette has changed a lot over the years (they’ve been a formal style for little kids, a go-to shoe for 1920s flappers and 1960s mod squads, and chunky-soled must-have for late ’90s trendsetters, among many others) but the overall message is clear: this strappy style is here to stay. And seeing as it’s been on a major trend upswing for the past several years, it should come as no surprise that your trusted one-stop retailer, Amazon, has made it easier than ever to snag a pair.
So whether you’re looking for your first pair or adding to your collection, read on for a list of our current favorite ways to hop on board the Mary Jane train.
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I know many people (myself included) who own at least one pair of Sam Edelman’s Michaela flat, and there’s a very good reason for that: It’s a flat, so it can be dressed up or down and comfortably worn from day to night; it has a nicely balanced square toe that’s on-trend but still very understated; and it comes in so many color and material combinations that you’d be hard pressed to pick just one. The brand also does a version with studs, and one with a ruched throat.
If you’re in the market for just a hint of a heel, try these this affordable pair from Sofft that one reviewer said was “comfortable even with [their] bunions.” They’re lined in leather and have a rubber midsole for added traction. The circular brass buckle adds a classic touch.
A sister style to the beloved Carson ballet flat, this double strap Mary Jane is constructed with Frye’s signature leather and Western-inspired hardware for a look that’s a little bit offbeat but still elegant.
We’re enjoying this inventive take on the Mary Jane silhouette, with an open back that makes the style feel more like a mule. It’s made from faux leather and boasts and ever-so-slightly squared off toe.
Round toe Mary Janes are a little-girl classic, but this simplest of styles, when done right, can look great on ladies too. Case in point: This understated shoe from Steve Madden, whose softly rounded (but not bulbous) toe and delicately narrow strap make it minimalist-chic must-have.
Down to the soft-V high throat, medium strap width, and distinctly shaped double buckle, these fishnet Mary Janes are shockingly similar to these Alaia’s. If you’ve got $900 burning a hole in your pocket, by all means go with the designer version. But especially since mesh isn’t easily classified as “timeless,” I’ll take the pair that costs $60, thank you very much.
Another designer lookalike (this time reminiscent of Phillip Lim), these flower-embroidered mesh Mary Janes aren’t as faithful to the original as the pair above, but they are just as cute — in fact, I think delicate, ballet slipper-esque strap makes me like them even more than their pricier counterpart. I also really like that they’re 1/10th the price.