No matter how hard I try, who I talk to, how long I wait – I can’t quit you, Mary Jane.
There was a song from my early teens that used to play on KNDD 107.7 (only the best Seattle station EVER – in the 90’s) by Stone Temple Pilots called, ahem… “Wet My Bed“. Yes, it was a deep and touching song. No, not really.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nvSej9484w
Anyway, it’s one of the most chill songs with the strangest lyrics. Makes it all so endearing. You can enjoy the song while you peruse the shoes.
Anyway x2, whenever I cross paths with an old-school mary jane shoe, the first words that pop into to my head are “Hey, where did Mary go? Maybe she, maybe she, maybe she… maybe she swam away…” Well, if she did, she’s back, and I’m so, so happy about it.
My favorite aspect of this style is the diversity. There are classic mary janes, funky mary janes, glamorous mary janes, edgy mary janes… Every style of one-strap-over you can think of probably exists.
CLASSIC
Gabriella Rocha Athens in Bone $41.40 (were $69)
These have an inherent Alice in Wonderland quality to them in the bone leather. They’re also available in black, which would technically be more classic… But I don’t care, I like the idea of bone leather with black tights. So there.
Also, I saw the Tim Burton version of Alice in Wonderland and I LIKED IT. Haters to the left.
Continuing on…
Lumiani Neddy $33.64 (were $121)
These are so elegant and simple, all elongating and pointy… I love these with trousers.
Gabriella Rocha Ginger $45.50 (were $65)
I actually own a version of these in mint and black and, oh my goodness, they look amazing with jeans. Any jeans, ever. And they are totally walkable.
FUNKY
Funky mary janes are everywhere… You can’t throw a cat without hitting a funky mary jane. Is that the right saying? Throw a cat? I don’t remember.
Charles by Charles David Roam 2 $78 (were $195)
America, F*@# Yeah?
BCBGeneration Drift $45 (were $110)
I’m not a huge fan of purple, but these are just a bit glorious. They also come in black, for you sissies.
Charles David Mimic $63.75 (were $215)
People ought to know by now that I hold a special place in my heart for mary jane wedges. I have two pairs – one nuclear orange, and the other candy apple red… I think it’s time for a neutral. Plus, hello discount.
GLAMOROUS
These are the super-girly, super-luxe versions of the classic style. Perfect for bathroom lipstick applications, the obligatory leg lift on a first kiss, or dressing up as/pretending to be a tea-cup.
Shoes For Lovely People Olivia $45.50 (were $148)
This screams lady-cupcake to me. Am I right? Then again, I told Julia Allison that she should buy these once and she publicly stated that she would never ever, ever. So maybe not.
Romantic Soles Cedar $27 (were $69)
Must. Have. These are ruffle-y and sweet and against everything I typically swing towards, yet I completely love them.
Report Reilly $62.30 (were $89)
These are much more my speed (though I still love the lighter ones). Really subtle femininity but still very obvious lady-ness. I like it.
EDGY
Ok, this is where I really need to edit my selections. I’m going to try to stick to three, but the combination of edginess and classic mary jane style is really hard for me to resist.
Steven by Steve Madden Flyn $64.80 (were $159)
Enzo Angiolini Synthea2 $84 (were $120)
Looooooooooooooooooooove. Simple but not. Love.
KORS Michael Kors Pipi $82.55 (were $295)
I dig the two-tone on these, though part of me wishes they weren’t patent. Definitely an eye-catcher!
AND LASTLY, THE DREAM
I have to include these because I am thoroughly obsessed with them, and they remind me of this wonderful pair of Gucci shoes that I have been drooling over for ever and a day because they are marvelous run on sentence over.
Roberto Cavalli T7706 $225 (were $495)
Just take a good, long look at those. Cavalli is so good at mary janes (and so bad at clothes). I don’t get it.