Mary Janes may conjure up memories of private school uniforms or Sundays at church. Or, if you came of age in the early 2010s, “twee” girls with Zooey Deschanel bangs. They were prim, proper and well-behaved. They were pretty much the shoes you thought of when you said the phrase “Miss Goody Two-Shoes.”
But no more. Mary Janes have rebelled and overthrown the tyranny of patent leather. They’ve changed their image; they’ve gone street. Mary Janes are sneakers now. And they’re going to be everywhere this spring.
Hot off the heels of last year’s booming ballet sneaker trend, Mary Jane sneakers put a similarly feminine spin on athletic silhouettes. But thanks to their defining feature—a supportive strap across the top—their transition from Sunday School formal to sporty and functional feels like even less of a leap. Plus, their versatility lends itself to variety. Styles like Vivaia’s Ivee Walker Pro (a personal favorite) are sleek and nimble à la the sneakerina, while the Sorel Kinetic Impact II MJs embrace the chunkiness of a dad shoe. Whatever your aesthetic preference, there’s a version of this fusion footwear for you.
If you’re hoping to meet your match before they fly off the shelves, scroll for nine Mary Jane sneaker styles worth strapping into.
