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Original poster

Mary Jane shoes ...anyone else think they look awful?

153 replies

Livelifelaughter · 20/10/2023 14:35

Just that. I think they look like children's shoes and everyone seems to be wearing them in magazines because they are wearing "what's in fashion" ...infantalising.

OP posts:
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rosesforpoppy · 20/10/2023 18:53

Yeah I have egyptian feet with dainty heels and ankle, straps help shoes stay on.

doingmyboxin · 20/10/2023 18:54

Just counted up how many pairs of Mary Janes I've had over the years... quite a few, including two pairs i currently wear for work.

Black ones, silver ones, yellow ones, green ones, pink ones, brown ones...

I guess I love them!

Ringadinga · 20/10/2023 19:00

I work with children, I wear Hot Chocolate shoes. https://www.hotchocolatedesign.co.uk/ Yep they are absolutely bad taste, fun and childish. They also wash well, are comfortable and promote conversations with the children. So much better than bloody high heels that I just cannot understand
Just why can't someone wear shoes that are fun? Do we need to be dry, dull and respectable at a certain age? (I'm 50).

FourStringsNoWaiting · 20/10/2023 19:07

Totally agree @Ringadinga no one is ever too old for fun shoes if that's what they want to wear

AllWeWantToDo · 20/10/2023 19:09

Ringadinga · 20/10/2023 19:00

I work with children, I wear Hot Chocolate shoes. https://www.hotchocolatedesign.co.uk/ Yep they are absolutely bad taste, fun and childish. They also wash well, are comfortable and promote conversations with the children. So much better than bloody high heels that I just cannot understand
Just why can't someone wear shoes that are fun? Do we need to be dry, dull and respectable at a certain age? (I'm 50).

Edited

Yep, I'm 45 and love my hot chocolate shoes, I'm also partial to a vendula handbag. I've had loads of people ask me where I get my shoes and handbags

WhatWillIWear · 20/10/2023 19:17

Sighing with longing, @rosesforpoppy!

mdinbc · 20/10/2023 19:37

I like them, but all shoes need to be the right proportion to suit your feet.

I have a pair of heeled red mary janes which are really comfy, but don't get a lot of outings.

The flat ones youngsters are wearing with jeans would not suit my feet, nor do ballet flats. Somehow they just look silly on me.

fearfuloffluff · 20/10/2023 19:42

I wear flats because I think heels are a conspiracy against women, and because I've got dodgy feet and ankles.

I wear flats with straps because I've got one foot bigger than the other so one shoe falls off otherwise.

I don't give that much of a shit what they look like.

kitsuneghost · 20/10/2023 19:59

I like them but they do only suit smaller feet imo

mauveiscurious · 20/10/2023 22:31

Has anyone got an examples

marmaladeandpeanutbutter · 20/10/2023 22:55

Me. Hideous.

alrighthen · 20/10/2023 23:11

I recently ordered these ever so slightly edgy Mary Janes from Cos.

Mary Jane shoes ...anyone else think they look awful?
SaturdayGiraffe · 20/10/2023 23:13

Not just people in magazines, saw 6 women wearing them at a venue a couple of weeks ago.
One strap I could deal with, the double straps are too fiddly and you just know they'll date faster.

Violinist64 · 20/10/2023 23:47

I have a very high instep and fairly small feet (size 4). I need support over the top of my feet in order to keep the shoes on. Court shoes and sling backs are a nightmare for me as they fall off my feet. Similarly, slip ons are also a problem. I don’t like heels, either. Lace up brogues are ok but Mary Janes, particularly those with a T bar are the most comfortable for me. For everyday wear, I love my vintage Red or Dead Ziggy shoes in a variety of colours and for going out, I have some Hotter smart T bar shoes with a small heel. Perhaps these shoes are childish but I like to think that they are slightly off-beat. For me, the most infantilising trend at the moment is dungarees, which I think look somewhat ridiculous in anyone over the age of ten unless they are a TV presenter on CBeebies.

Lolaisacat · 21/10/2023 00:00

I take size 3.

nancypowers1983 · 21/10/2023 00:56

Violinist64 · 20/10/2023 23:47

I have a very high instep and fairly small feet (size 4). I need support over the top of my feet in order to keep the shoes on. Court shoes and sling backs are a nightmare for me as they fall off my feet. Similarly, slip ons are also a problem. I don’t like heels, either. Lace up brogues are ok but Mary Janes, particularly those with a T bar are the most comfortable for me. For everyday wear, I love my vintage Red or Dead Ziggy shoes in a variety of colours and for going out, I have some Hotter smart T bar shoes with a small heel. Perhaps these shoes are childish but I like to think that they are slightly off-beat. For me, the most infantilising trend at the moment is dungarees, which I think look somewhat ridiculous in anyone over the age of ten unless they are a TV presenter on CBeebies.

Not me realising I wore dungarees with Mary Jane shoes today... and Snag care bear tights underneath (though nobody else could see the tights cos the dungarees covered the gap) And I didn't give a flying fig what anyone else might think. I was comfy for a very cold and wild day Smile

AllWeWantToDo · 21/10/2023 03:09

nancypowers1983 · 21/10/2023 00:56

Not me realising I wore dungarees with Mary Jane shoes today... and Snag care bear tights underneath (though nobody else could see the tights cos the dungarees covered the gap) And I didn't give a flying fig what anyone else might think. I was comfy for a very cold and wild day Smile

Show quote history

Snag have care bear tights?!

hellohellothere · 21/10/2023 03:27

Oh good heels aren't trying to come back into fashion are they? I haven't worn any in a decade and don't plan on changing that. I've always hated Mary Jane shoes. They remind me of ugly old fashioned school shoes.

No1MumPendant · 21/10/2023 07:48

I bought some flat ones last year as they were so comfy and practical for work, but I never loved the look of them and I can’t bear to wear them again this year. I don’t think they ever really look great on anyone - definitely primary school teacher vibes - and they certainly don’t suit my slim ankle and big feet. But each to their own. I’m no style guru.

MidnightOnceMore · 21/10/2023 07:55

hellohellothere · 21/10/2023 03:27

Oh good heels aren't trying to come back into fashion are they? I haven't worn any in a decade and don't plan on changing that. I've always hated Mary Jane shoes. They remind me of ugly old fashioned school shoes.

Heels may come back into fashion but they will never look good.

However many people wear them, whoever they are, however expensive the shoes are - heels always look rubbish. IMO.

Nutellaonall · 21/10/2023 07:55

Always loved Mary Jane shoes they are a classic. Great for me with slightly wide feet. Don’t pinch your toes like pointy shoes. Glad they are back. I have a lovely old pair that I intermittently wear.

Birdsongsinging · 21/10/2023 08:00

LivelyBlake · 20/10/2023 16:45

They are lovely but spenny!

hellohellothere · 21/10/2023 08:03

@MidnightOnceMore I've never got the appeal with heels either. I'm barely over 5 foot but I just look and walk ridiculously with them. Plus it makes everything look too old fashioned and formal.

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