Not quite a loafer, not quite a sandal, the Mary Jane is an enigma of a shoe that is enjoying a big moment.
Yes, you probably remember Mary Janes from your early years as it's the perfect back-to-school shoe, but that doesn't mean they should be left there.
The T-shaped-fastener shoe has just become the hottest product in the third quarter of 2023 according to the LYST Index. The Maison Margiela Mary Jane Tabi is crowned as the product of the moment by the report, fighting off competition from Miu Miu's cardigan and COS's quilted bag (which sit in second and third place).
Following its viral moment on social media (where a Tinder date stole a pair of the split-toed shoes), Tabi searches spiked by 342% in September — according to LYST.
But it's not just Margiela that's been backing the corner of Mary Janes, you also have the likes of Sandy Liang and her SS23 collection, Taylor Swift's surprisingly strong recent outfits, and Cecilie Bahnsen who turned ASICS's GT-2160 into a Mary Jane-shaped sneaker.
As more famous faces continue to add Mary Janes to their footwear rotation and they continue popping up in stores everywhere, the Mary Jane revival is here. Fittingly, we've rounded up our favorite pairs to spare you the guesswork.
Scroll to Shop Mary Jane shoes for men.
Acne Studios
When it comes to crafting high-quality essentials, Acne Studios is up there with the best of brands. This all-black pair is crafted from supple calf leather and is detailed with contrast stitching and a round toe box.
Dr. Martens
Complete with its classic yellow stitching, these bulky Mary Janes are Dr. Martens' take on the classic footwear model.
Vans OG Style 93 LX
The Mary Jane boom doesn't just include leather dress shoes, Vans has made the style skate-able. Created in collaboration with Goodfight, this sneaker comes decorated with a removable orchid flower clip.
Maison Margiela
This shoe was at the center of a TikTok scandal when a pair of Maison Margiela Mary Janes were robbed by the Tabi Swiper. A shoe that some will go to long lengths for, the fact that Margiela Mary Janes are being burgled is a testament to their popularity.
ROA Mary Jane Sneakers
First, it made hike-able loafers, now ROA has set its sights on Mary Janes. The outdoors brand's Mary Janes come with Vibram's Megagrip toothed tread pattern sole and an upper crafted from durable Vachetta leather.
Simone Rocha
For those aiming to live out their ballet fantasies with a twist, Simone Rocha has got you covered with this futuristic pair with rubberized overlays.
Prada
Brushed leather looks great on pretty much anything but when you add the Prada logo into the mix, you've got a pair of top tier Mary Janes.
ASICS
Cecilie Bahnsen and ASICS might have just created the best Mary Jane sneaker hybrid of the year — and yes, there are a few to pick from.
Nike
Similar to the Tabi above, Nike's Air Rift has a split toe along with the classic Mary Jane strap. Unlike the Tabis, Nike's sportswear expertise provides this pair with performance-oriented detailing.
Miu Miu
There's a reason why these were crowned one of the hottest shoes of last year by Lyst. Miu Miu's attention to detail is on full display with these supple leather ballet flats.
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