The Hero: Mary Jane

There is always a spot for nostalgia in the current zeitgeist, and the Mary Jane–with all of its practicality and ease– seems to bring us back to simpler times while simultaneously making us look put together. While we aim to be more mindful about our purchases this year, we once again set our sight on the everlasting nature of this shoe. Their classic shape, strap (or double strap!) and their general timeless appeal has made it the go-to footwear from everyone from Zendaya to Alexa Chung. While we aim to be more mindful about our purchases this year, we are once again focusing on the enduring quality of this shoe.

To celebrate these seasonless style reliables, we are dedicating this feature to the Mary Jane and the endless ways they can be worn.

Monochrome MJ’s

Monochromatic outfits have become our go-to during these chilly winter months, where staying warm often takes precedence over style. One of our favorite ways to wear our Mary Jane friulane is while wearing a head-to-toe color—the obvious choice, is of course, black (we love this Nat in stunning burgundy velvet and a contrasting pink grosgrain trim, paired with black denim and a black tee!) but as the summer months approach, we will likely be wearing all-white looks and styling them with a boldly-colored or pastel Mary Jane. A simple, yet oh-so-chic example is cream high-waisted shorts with a matching button-up with rolled up sleeves and our Gia Mary Jane’s.

Avec Socks—and tights!

Reminiscent of school girl uniforms, styling your MJ’s with socks feels a bit nostalgic and girlie. Ever since we came out with our Camille – a classic with back-to-school vibes– we have been obsessed with pairing them with crew or our favorite ankle socks. It’s the perfect way to add flair to a simple shift dress. Extra credit if you skip white and wear them with the perfect contrasting shade, such as our Giselle with red socks!

With Jeans

Take a cue from the Alexa Chung playbook, and pair virtually any color of our MJ’s with denim. Top it with a blazer, a tee and even a crop top. This is probably our most worn combination of all time, because it simply never fails us. We love that it looks polished (but without trying too hard). The style formula for airports, lunch, the work place and of course, while running around town and having your best year yet.