What are Mary Janes?

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Mary Janes are shoes with a low heel, rounded toe, and single strap, commonly worn by girls and women. They were popularized by the Buster Brown cartoon in the early 1900s and have since evolved to include various styles and materials. When shopping for Mary Janes, consider comfort, fit, and the occasion.

Mary Janes are a type of shoe commonly worn by girls and young women, although they are occasionally worn by men. The basic style of the shoe includes a low heel, a rounded toe, and a single strap on the foot, and they are usually made of patent leather. Mary Janes are dress shoes for little girls, while adult women wear them for a casual look.

Mary Jane is a character from a cartoon called Buster Brown created by Richard Outcault. Buster Brown frolics in life with his sister Mary Jane and his dog Tige. In 1904, the Brown Shoe Company purchased the rights to Buster Brown and created a children’s Buster Brown line that included Mary Janes. The company hired actors to travel the country selling shoes while dressed as Buster Brown and his friends, catapulting the brand to stardom.

In the 1920s, many women adopted Mary Janes for a wide variety of situations. Mary Jane heels were not yet known, but women could be seen wearing patent leather Mary Jane shoes everywhere from casual tea parties to weddings. The popularity of the shoes among girls continued to be extremely popular: most young women had a Mary Janes dress for important occasions.

Although Mary Janes are most often made of black patent leather, a variety of other materials are used, especially adult Mary Janes. Shoes can be made of genuine leather and fabric in a variety of colors and patterns, and are also sometimes lined with colorful prints. The shoes retain the basic look of a rounded toe and strap, but some companies have given the Mary Jane shoe a makeover with larger heels, large buckles, multiple thin straps, ribbons, and other innovations.

When shopping for a child’s Mary Janes, look for comfort and a good fit. Because children’s feet are constantly growing, you may want to select a shoe with a slightly looser fit to allow for the child to grow and to ensure that the shoes are wide enough for the child’s feet. When choosing Mary Janes for an adult, check for fit and comfort, especially with heels, and consider the types of outfits the shoe can be worn with. Mary Janes can dress up a pair of jeans or make a formal dress more casual, and there are a variety of styles to choose from so you can create just the right effect.




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