I have a confession: I hate high heels.
Unlike the opening montage in The Devil Wears Prada, I can’t imagine willingly putting on a pair of sky-high stilettos to head into the office. As a new New Yorker, I do a ton of walking—mostly in my beat-up Adidas Stan Smiths that I’ve practically worn down to nubs in an ode to Phoebe Philo (who would famously wear them during runway shows during her Céline tenure).
Since adopting a morning commute that involves trekking almost a mile to work, having good, comfortable footwear is my mantra. While the Who What Wear team doesn’t look twice at my beat-up trainers (we’re a no-judgment zone!), sometimes, I want to spice up my footwear and feel a bit fancier when heading into the office. My latest obsession? Mary Janes with socks or leg warmers for an indie look.
As a child of the internet age, Tumblr is my style North Star, and there’s nothing more 2014 grunge than a chunky pair of Mary Janes paired with some frilly, pretty socks. Now that twee and indie sleaze styles are having a major resurgence, it’s no surprise that the Mary Jane and chunky, slouchy sock combination is at the top of my mind.
Below, scroll through the Mary Jane and hosiery combinations that have been living in my head rent-free. As a personal rule of thumb, if it’s good enough for Miss Bella Hadid, it’s good enough for me.
