| Mary Jane shoes are a classic! Born in the 1920's, this | | | | stilettos and high heels to adapt to the lifestyle of |
| single buckled styled shoe has outlasted many shoe | | | | modern women. If girls wear them in schools, women |
| fads for decades. Ever wondered why this star | | | | now wear them in offices or the corporate world. |
| managed to shine so bright until now? Many women | | | | There are also styles in tuned for casual and formal |
| can attest that Mary Janes is a symbol of simple | | | | wear. So definitely there is a Mary Jane shoe style |
| elegance and grace. These shoes were designed to | | | | for any occasion! |
| suit the wardrobe of young girls on its launching early | | | | Aside from different styles, there are also different |
| this century. Typically, an original shoe of this style | | | | genres that have been associated with Mary Jane |
| has low heels and rounded closed toes. It also has | | | | shoes. In the late 1990's to early 2000, subcultures |
| buckled strap that surrounds the inset or the ankle | | | | like punk rock, psycho billy and goth were known for |
| and is usually made out of black leather. | | | | wearing this shoe style. They wear it using knee high |
| So why are these shoes named after Mary Jane? | | | | socks that are either dark colored or that has large |
| This name came from a comic strip character in the | | | | horizontal stripes which are paired with plaid skirts to |
| Buster Brown series, first published in 1902. Mary is | | | | complete the adult school girl look. |
| the love interest of Buster Brown. In 1904, Richard | | | | In the new millennium, these shoes can be worn with |
| Outcault, the maker of this comic character, sold | | | | a skirt or pants for an office attire or casual look. |
| licenses to 200 companies to use the Buster Brown | | | | Surely it's an easy breezy way to have that |
| characters to advertise their products. One of these | | | | sophisticated look. Women in general look for a style |
| companies, Brown Shoe Company hired actors to | | | | icon to copy, and Mary Jane shoes are a must-have |
| portray the Buster Brown characters to perform in | | | | in order to fall in line with the likes of the classy and |
| theaters and stores. The shoes worn by the | | | | sassy Audrey Hepburn. Mary Janes shoes are also |
| characters portraying Buster Brown and Mary Jane | | | | nice to combine with a pair of pants because it |
| were named after Buster's love interest. | | | | balances the look, giving it a feminine flair. Active girls |
| In modern times, Mary Jane shoes are worn by both | | | | have also found a new shoe buddy in Mary Janes |
| girls and women that come in a variety of style, color | | | | because these single strapped shoes now come in |
| and material. Girls typically wear these as school | | | | sporty styles that flexes to perfection. They are |
| shoes and in attending formal events. But as girls | | | | comfortable as sneakers and provide needed support |
| grew up they could not get enough of wearing their | | | | for long walks. |
| old time favorite. Soon enough, Mary Jane was styled | | | | In summary, a pair of Mary Janes belongs in the |
| according to shoe trends such as platforms, mules, | | | | closet of every girl and woman. |