There’s nothing plain about Mary Janes. This storied shoe style—traditionally a flat black shoe with a single strap across the center of the foot—has been popular in America since the 1900s. After a century and a half of being styled with everything from flapper dresses to dungarees, this classic shoe is still captivating fashion obsessives everywhere, including the always elegant Amal Clooney.
Spotted on New York City’s Upper East Side over the weekend, Clooney stepped out of her hotel wearing an older but no-less-lovely pair of patent-leather double-strap Mary Jane pumps by Prada. Paired with sheer black tights, a contrasting white turtleneck minidress, a white-speckled black coat, and Dior’s Bar bag, the civil rights lawyer’s outfit was at once timeless and totally 2023. And while the dressy daytime look works perfectly with her chunky-heeled shoes, we could just as easily see Clooney pairing the pumps with a structured suit or her favorite pair of jeans.
Given the versatility of Mary Janes, we were excited to see what today’s interpretations of the iconic shoe look like. Ahead, we’ve found 10 pairs of high-heel Mary Janes with a variety of straps, heels, and finishes. We have a feeling you’ll wear them for ages.
