The 24 Best Mary Janes to Wear This Season
From vintage velvets to classic patent leather
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The best Mary Janes maintain a timeless allure regardless of current trends, just like the best ballet flats and best women’s loafers. While they do play a part in the biggest fall 2023 shoe trends, the prep-meets-Parisian shoe has never really gone anywhere since its inception. Cassie Smart, head of womenswear at MatchesFashion, says her team has always gravitated toward Mary Janes regardless of whether they’re on the runways.
“The effortless chic of the Mary Jane style is the reason why our clients are drawn to this silhouette year after year,” Smart tells Bazaar. And she has styling suggestions to prove it: They can polish up wide-leg jeans from Frame and Chloé as easily as they complement office suit sets.
The Best Mary Janes of 2024
The designers reinventing Mary Janes best right now are drawn to their sense of history and versatility. “The By Far design philosophy is rooted in the reinvention of timeless silhouettes—and the Mary Jane is one of the most iconic designs ever,” By Far co-founder and creative director Denitsa Bumbarova says. “The simplicity of the Mary Jane belies a potential for experimentation and abstraction which is integral to [our] design ethos.”
Then there’s a purely practical element: Larroudé co-founder Marina Larroudé says the shoes make tricky transitional dressing a cinch. “Mary Janes have that utilitarian feel while also being flirty and fun,” she explains. “For fall and winter, I’m planning on wearing them with denim or tights and minis. They will be my go-tos.” We expect you’ll feel the same about the 24 expert-recommended best Mary Janes ahead, from patent black flats to blush pumps.
This post was updated on August 23, 2023 with new editor-tested recommendations.
“The Mary Jane is a style I particularly love and have worn a lot, but we were missing in our assortment,” Marina Larroudé says. “For fall, it made sense to bring that ’60s vibe back in the form of flats, platforms, or even pumps.”
On the flats front, these patent, pointed-toe Mary Janes have the makings of an all-day shoe with their namesake’s Upper East Side attitude. They’re strikingly shiny and lined in a cushioned memory foam.
Sizes: 5–11
Colors: Black, denim, ivory, mint green, and more
What reviewers are saying: “Got for my teacher daughter that is on her feet all day. She loves them and says they are very comfortable.”
Sandy Liang Mary Jane Pointe Shoe
Last fall, Sandy Liang released her label’s first shoe—a Mary Jane with a square, pointe-shoe-like toe and a satin outer—to rapturous reviews and instantly empty shelves. They’re pretty but not overly precious, and perfectly capture the essence of professional styles donned by ballerinas.
Sizes: 35–41
Colors: Pink, black, chocolate, and more
The market has its share of Mary Janes coated in rhinestones, beading, and other embellishments for fall. Rather than going full maximalist, try a pair with one shiny element to punctuate the plain leather, like this Ganni version clocking all the street-style credits.
Sizes: 5–12
Colors: Black
Le Monde Beryl Leather-Trim Mesh Mary Jane Flats
Le Monde Beryl is quintessential in the Mary Jane realm. The ultimate au courant take? This delicate mesh version, whether downplayed with jeans or dressed up with a cocktail dress.
Sizes: 35–42 IT
Colors: Silver, black
Alaïa Criss Cross Ballerinas
While Alaïa’s perpetually sold-out glittery Mary Janes are a common denominator in most Bazaar editor’s closets, this new-season crisscross strap iteration is the latest eye candy tempting everyone on staff. They’re a comfortable yet discerning addition to everyday work looks like an oversize blazer, white T-shirt, and jeans.
Sizes: 5–11
Colors: Black, red
No one does a cap-toe Mary Jane better than Chanel. While other brands have flirted with the style off and on, the house has always made a classic version available. This fall, Chanel is experimenting with mixed materials offering velvet renditions with all of the expected elegance.
Sizes: On request
Colors: Pink velvet, gold metallic tweed
The Row Ava Leather Mary Jane Flats
Another pair name-checked by Smart for fall/winter 2023 is the Row’s Ava Mary Janes. These have a sleek trending square toe with an everyday sensibility, from the flat silhouette to the subtle piping along the edges.
Sizes: 35–42 IT
Colors: Black
Carel Ariana Patent Buckle-Trio Ballerina Pumps
Another brand synonymous with Mary Janes is Parisian Carel. The label’s ultimate signature? This three-strap block-heel silhouette in patent leather. Oui, oui!
Sizes: 6–11
Colors: Red patent, silver metallic, black mesh
By Far Ginny Patent-Leather Mary Jane Pumps
By Far’s low heel isn’t your typical Mary Jane. “When we first introduced the Ginny pump for pre-fall 2021, we wanted to take the silhouette beyond schoolgirl territory,” Bumbarova says, “so we decided to keep the lines simple while incorporating characteristically By Far tones. And truly, who can resist this timeless yet modern black rendition in black patent leather?
Sizes: 35–41 IT
Colors: Black
Charles & Keith Checkered Buckled Mary Jane Flats
Here’s another party option that can transcend seasons with a classic gingham print. Gift a pair to yourself and a friend—on top of everything else, they’re also less than $55.
Sizes: 5–11
Colors: Black gingham
Reformation Abalonia Chunky Maryjane
The bigger the sole, the bigger the impact—or so we believe after finding this lug-sole pair from Reformation. Even better than the pseudo-goth look? This pair is made with eco-conscious materials like regenerated leather.
Sizes: 5–11
Colors: Black
Vagabond Delia Shoes
The trifecta of a nice save: glossy patent leather, impeccable square toe, and a sub-$150 price tag. For extra preppy points, be sure to pair yours with lace-trimmed ankle socks.
Sizes: 35–42 EU
Colors: Red, black, beige, and more
Presenting the Mary Janes you’ll reach for throughout fall and the holiday party season. Pair them with workwear at the office, party dresses on the holiday circuit, and beyond.
Sizes: 5–12
Colors: Black, taupe, gold, leopard
What reviewers are saying: “This shoe is a winner! The leather is lovely and the shoe itself is very well designed. It’s a very comfortable shoe. I think it would be an easy shoe to add detachable crystals or bows to and give the shoe a lot of different looks.”
There’s something balletic about the curved, foot-hugging fit of LoQ’s Mary Janes, which are handmade in Spain. Then there’s the rounded block heel for an extra inch of height and a delightfully retro look.
Sizes: 35–42 EU
Colors: Turrón, black patent croc, clay suede, and more
These lug-sole beauties are for the woman who sees herself wearing Mary Janes often; they aren’t going to scuff or wear out after a month of use.
Zou Xou creative director Katherine Theobalds is all about footwear that’s sensible but stylish. Her Mary Janes are made in small batches in Argentina, with tortoiseshell buckles that contrast with the heavy-duty utility of the soles.
Sizes: 35–42 ZX
Colors: Oxblood
What reviewers are saying: “Love them, nice quality, very comfortable!”
Aeyde Aline Leather Mary Jane Pumps
We can’t decide what we love more about these block-heel Mary Janes: the supple leather that molds to your foot, or the sleek design that transitions from occasion to occasion effortlessly.
Sizes: 35–42 IT
Colors: Black leather, black patent
Bottega Veneta Comet Mary-Jane Patent Leather Pumps
Bottega Veneta sent a number of modern Mary Janes down its Milan runway last season, with a signature detail: an eye-catching brass buckle. Another fact: The Italian house has firmly established wedges as a must-have 2023 shoe trend, making these Mary Janes a cult item this season.
Sizes: 35–41 IT
Colors: Neutral
When venturing to Italy, you’ll spot these well-priced (and grippy-soled!) velvet Mary Janes in local shoe shops in an array of fun colors and neutral options with vibrant trims. But no stress if you’re not making it overseas in the immediate future—you can order them directly from the brand’s site, and they ship fast.
Editor’s note: These shoes run small, so go up a full size. The return policy isn’t great for U.S. shoppers, so you’ll want to get it right.
Sizes: 36–41 IT
Margaux’s modern take on classic footwear always lures us in for a timeless look. These delicate suede Mary Janes are a gorgeous everyday option that’ll extend your line, courtesy of the pointed toe.
Sizes: 3–14
Colors: Black, rust, peacock
What reviewers are saying: “These shoes are so cute out of the box and on my feet. I was worried they would look [too] youngish on me but they looked great. Typical Margaux good quality, beautiful velvet material and the shoe is well constructed. True to size, I ordered the 9.5 Medium. Am seriously considering this shoe in other colors. Of course, so very comfortable.”
Miu Miu Glitter Block-Heel Mary Jane Pumps
Why not lean all the way into Mary Janes’ girly side? When you walk into a room wearing this glittery Miu Miu pair, compliments will come in seconds. (Of course, the brand’s more subdued satin Mary Janes are also a wonderful option.)
Sizes: 5–10
Colors: Black/silver
