Following last year's craze over these vintage preppy shoes, the rage over them continued into 2024, accompanied by the coquette and soft girl aesthetics, which only serves to further accentuate how timeless and popular Mary Jane shoes are. The classic Mary Janes are characterized by a closed, rounded toe and a low-cut vamp, paired with that distinctive strap that secures the shoe with effortless grace, making them a coveted staple in every fashion-forward woman's wardrobe. Though there are many designs of Mary Janes being reimagined in the market, this unique combination of characteristics remain what defines Mary Janes as Mary Janes.
As shared by Vogue, Mary Janes first gained popularity amongst flappers in the 1920s, before picking up serious credibility in the 1960s when they graced the feet of It girls like Jane Birkin and Twiggy. They had another big moment during the 1990s when grunge ruled supreme, with clunky variations of Mary Janes stomping the streets and red carpets. The strapped shoe had its most recent comeback since 2023, which was marked by coquettish fashion and subverted schoolgirl aesthetics.
