Women's shoes · Mary Jane
The Mary Jane is the most stable of heeled shoes, and the reason lies entirely in the strap: passing over the instep, it locks the joint that moves freely in other styles. Anyone who has never felt comfortable in a décolleté will change their mind with a Mary Jane.
Why it holds better than the others
In a décolleté, the foot is held only by the edge of the shoe, and the heel tends to slip out with every step. The strap across the instep, on the other hand, works at the highest point of the arch: it holds the foot back against the shoe's heel and eliminates the movement that makes the toes slide forward.
This makes it comfortable to wear a heel that would be tiring in a décolleté - the same height feels more stable because the weight is not placed entirely on the toe.
One, two or three straps
The single strap is the classic Mary Jane, the schoolgirl shape adopted by fashion and turned into a category of its own. The two or three straps - as on Carel's Ariana and Kina styles - cover more of the instep: they hold the foot even more securely and are the choice for those seeking maximum stability. The look changes too: more straps break up the line and visually shorten the foot, so they work well with bare legs and less so under long trousers.
The boutique's advice. This is the heeled shoe we recommend for anyone who needs to stay on their feet for a long time - at a ceremony or during a workday with no time to sit down. At the same height, you can make it to the evening in a Mary Jane; with a slingback, almost never.
What we keep
Carel, the Parisian maison that built its identity around the Mary Jane, is the most represented brand: patent leather styles with 4- and 6-centimeter heels, with one or three straps. Chie Mihara brings its Reni in burgundy leather, as well as animal-print and leopard versions, the most recognizable styles in the selection.
If you are looking for a strap at the back rather than the front, they are slingbacks; without fastenings, they are pumps. The heights and shapes together can be found in heeled shoes.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Mary Jane?
They are closed shoes with a strap that crosses the instep. They originated as early twentieth-century children's footwear, and fashion brought them onto the heel: today, they are the most stable heeled shoe style because the strap prevents the foot from sliding forward.
Are Mary Janes comfortable?
They are the most comfortable heeled shoes at the same height. The strap holds the foot against the shoe's heel and distributes the weight more evenly, rather than placing it all on the forefoot: this is why we recommend them if you need to stand for long periods.
What size should you choose in Mary Janes?
Your usual size. The strap adjusts the fit but not the length, so sizing down in the hope that it will tighten is not advisable: your foot would still be too long inside the shoe. If you have a high instep, check that the strap has multiple holes.
What do you wear Mary Janes with?
They work best on bare legs - with a skirt, dress, or shorts - because the strap is visible and defines the shoe. Under long trousers, its visual impact is lost, in which case you might as well wear a pump. Styles with multiple straps visually shorten the foot, so they work best with bare legs.