Embrace the ease and elegance of fashion’s IT shoes of the year, Mary Janes

She’s preppy, she’s effortless, she’s Parisian, and even a little punk at times. Well, it’s none other than the very versatile and chic – Mary Janes. Mary Janes (MJs) have perennially been in fashion, but have had a moment in the style scene ever so often, i.e. with the namesake cartoon character in the 1900s, the flappers in the 1920s, Shirley Temple in the 1930s, Jane Birkin and Twiggy in the 1960s, and Alexa Chung in 2010s. And for 2023, they are fashion’s shoe du jour – courtesy of Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid, Elsa Hosk, Leonie Hanne, Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, Renia Jaz, and many more connoisseurs of style.

1st Row (L-R): Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, Gigi Hadid & Elsa Hosk
2nd Ros (L-R): Leonie Hanne, Bella Hadid & Renia Jaz

While it’s the effortless chic aesthetics (enveloped in the nostalgia) of MJs that we are drawn to, its design renaissance is rooted in its timeless silhouette and simplicity that allows exploration and creation of the most exciting and eccentric Mary Janes – making it must-have for the year and beyond. Think vintage-inspired Sam Edelman Michaela Mary Jane, street-cool Dr. Martens MJ shoes, the maximally metallic Dolce & Gabbana MJ pumps, and balletcore-special Miu Miu Mary Jane ballet flats.

With brands and designers having reinvented this classic shoe design, the Mary Jane 2023 embraces the unexpected contrasts of the style spectrum with its tried-and-tested versatile chicness. Like, if fun and flirty sets the tone of your fashion game, pick up Christian Louboutin Miss Jane Plum Strass, Nodaleto Bulla Babies Platform Mary Janes, or Theatre Twiggy Piggies Slingback MJs to embrace that hyper-femme energy. Else for the luxe, cool vibe, there are sartorially delectable Prada Modellerie Logo-Plaque MJ Pumps, Charles & Keith Tweed Mary Jane Flats, and Alaïa 90 Patent-Leather MJ Pumps for you. And to bring in that special edge for some social media-cred, the bold and brilliant Maison Margiela Tabi Mary Jane Shoes and Bottega Veneta Swell Glossed-Leather MJ flats are the definite choices for your next style moment – nothing beats offbeat elegance in the game of style (and Instagram)!

Yes, preppy or punk, street or social media, chunky platform or soft and sleek – Mary Janes reigns as the fashion’s favourite shoe of 2023. And ahead, scroll through our edit of the most functional yet fashionable Mary Janes and find your ultimate partner-in-chicness. Ready to strut to the end of 2023 with a lot of sass?

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