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 latter half of 2023 according to the LYST Index, and is showing no signs of slowing down in 2024 either. The hard-to-get Maison Margiela Mary Jane Tabi was 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) – all of which are still highly coveted, fast forward half a year.
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.
Dr. Martens
Complete with its classic yellow stitching, these bulky Mary Janes are Dr. Martens' take on the classic footwear model.
If you're looking for a more left-of-center Mary Jane, maybe this cognac-colored woven variant appeals to you more? A Mediterranean take, almost.
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.
both
This spin on the Mary Jane goes against its mother model's conservatism, and amps up the camp through its pearly white coloring and the chunky heeled sole.
SUNNEI
A cross-bread of the titular Mary Janes, backless slip ons, and velcro sandals, SUNNEI's contribution to this list is representative both of their own playful aesthetic and the general versatility of how these co-opts of classics can materialize.
Virón
Made of Apple leather, these pin-buckled Mary Janes are as stylish as they are sustainable, with subtle green stitching for a little extra glitz.
Adidas TERREX
Who would've though that hopping aboard the Mary Jane train, and investing in a new outdoor performance shoe could go hand in hand? Well, we didn't but adidas' TERREX line marries the preppy blueprint with innovative activewear design.
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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