4 Pairs Of Must-Have Mary-Janes & How To Style Them

The Mary-Jane is the must-have shoe of the moment, teetering at the vertiginous top of every fashion editor’s wish list up and down the land. Once a timeless classic, these iconic shoes are making a serious comeback, gracing runways and streets alike with their chic and versatile charm. They can be pretty, they can be utilitarian, they can be classic party shoes, and they can be flat or towering platforms – and everything in between. Wear them with mini-skirts, rustic workwear trousers or flowing frocks alike – here we round up our favourites, plus what we’d wear with them.

Toast

Solovair Mary-Jane Shoes, £195


Hardy, unadorned and perfectly plain, we love a pair of Mary-Janes that are both sturdy and chic.

Wear Them With

Plumo

Quilted Velvet Coat, £480

Sideline

Moth Hat – Black Wool, £65

Toast

Pleated Organic Soft Cord Trousers, £145

Penelope Chilvers

Low Mary Jane Velvet Shoe – Red, £199


The low heel! The red velvet! The square buckle! If ever there was a shoe made for the festive season, this is it. Christmas Day shoes sorted.

Wear Them With

H&M

Bow-Decorated Hair Clip, £6.99

Toast

Freya Crinkle Cotton Dress, £150

John Lewis

Satin Pleat Wrist Pouch Bag, Black, £25

Repetto

Tara Mary Janes, £375


How could anybody not want to dance in these shoes? We love the solid heel, which is counterbalanced by the sweet little buckle for a quintessential 1960s look. Being made by Repetto, they are super flexible too.

Wear Them With

Lulu Guinness

Shagreen Satin Small Cleo Handbag, NOW £137

Anthropologie

The Tatiana Kaftan by Bl-nk: Velvet Edition, £130

Wolf & Badger

Gaia Silver Hoop Earrings, £125

Jonak Paris

Platform Mary Janes With Ankle Strap, £180


These platform Mary-Janes have a good solid block heel and yet are endlessly pretty. We love the aged brown leather, which gives them a timeless look and ensures we’ll wear them season after season – long after the current trend has passed.

Wear Them With

Cos

Open-Back Bolero Jacket, £110

Anthropologie

Selected Femme Ibi Leather A-Line Mini Skirt, £120

Cambridge Satchel Company

The 14 Inch Batchel Backpack, £230



By Nancy Alsop
October 2023