Mary Jane (shoe)

Mary Jane is an American term (formerly trademarked) for a closed, low-cut shoe with one or more straps across the instep.

Classic Mary Janes for children are typically made of black leather or patent leather, have one thin strap fastened with a buckle or button, a broad and rounded toebox, low heels, and thin outsoles. Among girls, Mary Janes are traditionally worn with pantyhose or socks, and a dress or a skirt and blouse. Among boys (less common), Mary Janes are traditionally worn with socks, short trousers, and a shirt.

Contents 1 History 2 Etymology 3 Current style 4 References

History

Although generally associated with child girls nowadays, and to a lesser extent teenage girls and women, Mary Janes have also been worn by males throughout history. To cite a few examples:

• Some men during the Renaissance, including kings Henry VIII of England, Francis I and Charles IX of France, etc. (as can be seen in paintings from that era).
• Some men and boys in imperial China (as can be seen in old photographs/postcards).
• Some boys since the 19th century, particularly in the first half of the 20th century (as can be seen in old photographs/postcards or Buster Brown comics and films), and to a lesser extent after World War II (mainly in elite or high-profile families: John F. Kennedy's son at the former's funeral, British princes William and Henry in the late 1980s, etc.).

Children's shoes secured by a strap over the instep and fastened with a buckle or button appeared in the early 19th century. Originally worn by both sexes, they began to be perceived as being mostly for girls in the 1930s in North America and the 1940s in Europe.^[1] They were also popular with women in the 1920s^[2].

Today, Mary Janes for children, particularly the more classic styles, are often considered semi-formal or formal shoes, appropriate for school (many schools worldwide require that girls wear them with their uniform), religious ceremonies, weddings, visits, and birthday parties for example. More modern styles are also worn in casual settings, however: playgrounds, shopping centers, sports (Mary Jane sneakers), etc. Although less popular than in the past, Mary Janes remain a timeless classic of children's fashion and, for many people, a symbol of girlhood.

Moreover, Mary Janes are a preferred accessory of many traditional or folk costumes, such as those of the flamenco female dancer and of the typical woman in Mao's China.

Etymology

Mary Jane was a character created by Richard Outcault for his comic strip, Buster Brown, which was first published in 1902. She was the sister of the title character, Buster Brown.

In 1904, Outcault traveled to the St. Louis World's Fair and sold licenses to up to 200 companies to use the Buster Brown characters to advertise their products. Among them was the Brown Shoe Company, who later hired actors to tour the country, performing as the Buster Brown characters in theaters and stores. This strategy helped the Brown Shoe Company become the most prominently associated brand with the Buster Brown characters. The style of shoe both Buster Brown and Mary Jane wore came to be known by her name, Mary Jane.

Current style

While the classic Mary Jane still retains its wide popularity and appeal, today's more stylish Mary Janes tend to be platform styles, with 1-cm to 3-cm (½-in to 1-in) outsoles and 8-cm to 13-cm (3-in to 5-in) "chunky" heels, often with exaggerated grommets or buckles. These styles were especially popular in the United States in the late 1990s and early 2000s, within punk rock, psychobilly, and goth subcultures. Many times the wearers would accent the look with knee-high knit socks in dark-colored stripes or patterns and/or some form of hosiery (stockings/pantyhose), and often complete the look with a plaid, pleated schoolgirl-style skirt.

Mary Janes are a popular part of kinderwhore and Lolita fashion. A pump with a strap across the instep may be referred to as a "Mary Jane pump", although it does not have the low heels or wide toe of the original Mary Jane (and a pump is generally strapless by definition).

References

1. ^ Historical Boys' Clothing: Strap Shoes
2. ^ Brighton University: Screen Archive Glossary

Footwear Men's dress shoes Brogues Derby Court shoes Monks Oxfords Slip-ons (Loafers) Spectator shoes (Co-respondent shoes) Venetian style shoes Winklepickers Brothel creepers Women's dress shoes Ballet flats Pumps Mules Mary Janes Mojari Saddle shoes Slingbacks Slip-ons (Loafers) Venetian style shoes Winklepickers Other shoes Clogs Espadrilles Flip-flops Galoshes Geta Giveh Moccasins Platform shoes Sandals Slides Slippers Veldskoens Military footwear Ammunition boots Cold weather boots Combat boots Jackboots Jump boots Jungle boots Tanker boots Trench boots Sport-related footwear Athletic shoes Ballet shoes Boat shoes Climbing shoes Cycling shoes Football boots Hiking boots Ice skates Inline skates Jika-tabi Motorcycle boots Mountaineering boots Riding boots Roller skates Skate shoes Ski boots Swimfins Wrestling shoes Fashion boots Beatle boots Chelsea boots Go-go boots Knee-high boots Platform boots Work boots/shoes Australian work boots Chukka boots Cowboy boots Engineer boots Hip boots Rigger boots Steel-toe boots Waders Other boots Mukluks Valenki Wellington boots Historical Buskin Chopine Crakow (Poulaine) Galesh Hessian Hwa Opanak