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Mary Jane shoes, simplicity, and a vital first step for young ladies.

  • Writer: Darin Kanjanarot
    Darin Kanjanarot
  • Feb 20, 2023
  • 3 min read

Updated: Feb 24


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We can't dispute that most women's shoes start with "Mary Jane" style shoes that are comfy to walk in. Whether it's the unusual front strap with shining black leather or various colours of leather, these elements bring out a woman's personality without us even realising it.

There is no denying that the "Mary Jane" form of comfortable walking shoes likely influenced women of all ages. Whether it is the distinctive front strap made of jet black leather or another colored leather that highlights the woman's individuality without our realizing it, these details have become a part of daily life. The Mary Jane design is classic, always current, and created in many variations. Cotton and patent leather are only two of the materials that can be used to make these materials. As a result, it's not your typical school shoe. There are no bounds to the patterns and ingenuity you can use to adorn it.


This pair of shoes' origins can be traced back to 1902 when Richard Felton Outcault's popular cartoon Buster Brown included a character named Mary Jane who wore jet-black leather shoes with adorable straps. Two years after that, Outcault introduced the Mary Jane character to the St. Louis World's Fair in the United States, where she sold the rights to over 200 businesses. The Brown Shoes firm then purchased the license to market the character domestically, and it became a huge hit. The following year, only the name Mary Jane remained on the shoes until Outcault left Herald, which acquired the rights to this comic. After that, they were referred to via word of mouth and consistently included in the shoe style's name.


Even though Mary Jane's shoes are associated with the character in Buster Brown, this form of shoe was previously associated with young ladies, maids, or schoolgirls. However, this shoe is unisex, meaning that both men and women can wear it. The kings, queens, princes, and princesses all wore shoes to church or as part of their school uniforms, according to the historical perception of the British royal family. Thus, it cannot be claimed that ladies are the only ones who own this style of shoe.


Later in the 1930s and 1940s, women's liberation increased. In the era of fashion and society, the globe was embellished with limitless creativity. Women could cheerfully go to clubs, social events, the library, and their everyday jobs. It's similar to the rule that only males should wear trousers. However, the viewpoint has evolved as well. Mary Jane's shoes, for instance, are an illustration of this.


This shoe style has been so popular worldwide since the 1960s that it has to be a closet staple in every home. This pair of shoes can be worn with sports shorts to make your teeth ache or with a skirt for a cute effect. This planet is a normal place. The addition of a heel to make the shoe appear taller and slimmer contributed to its rise in popularity in the United States in the late 1990s. or match it with gothic, a subtrend, or punk rock. Psychobilly, it's worn with stockings, socks, or plaid pleated skirts. Moreover, the millennium celebration gained popularity in the UK in the 2000s and was adapted into high-heeled Mary Jane shoes by other manufacturers, including Koi Couture and No Doubt.


These days, this shoe style goes well with the kinderwhore, Mori girl, Lolita, and even the tough and stylish working woman look, among many other looks.


The world now permits women to emerge in the morning with free-flowing fashion standards, rather than merely a modest or mild demeanor. Being stereotyped by society to be in the same old image, rather than simply viewing it from one perspective or understanding it from the same angle, goes a long way. You might not be aware that you have Mary Jane shoes in your closet. Due to the harmony of our everyday lives, each woman can now express her individuality without anyone interfering with her morning routine.





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