The Best Mary Janes, From Flats to Stilettos

I used to roll my eyes at Carrie Bradshaw. I mean, how ridiculous to have so much adoration for mundane pairs of shoes? How many Manolos can one person possibly buy? Well, something in me has shifted, because I now have a shoe obsession of my own. While most days you’ll find me walking to and from the W office in sneakers, the style I’ve been really gravitating towards lately is the beloved Mary Jane. It’s timeless, it’s classic, but the shape is always evolving. This season, the best ones range from prim French schoolgirl styles by Larroudé and Carel to chunky, punk-inspired versions by Bottega Veneta or the Portuguese designer Nicole Saldaña. (And of course, there’s a Carrie-appropriate Manolo Blahnik pair in buttery yellow snakeskin.) If you wanted to, you could create an entire shoe wardrobe just out of Mary Janes, with a different pair for every occasion, from a low-key day in the park to a black tie wedding. Here, a few of my favorites at various heights. (And, Carrie? Forgive me, I finally understand you.)

Flat Mary Janes

Low-Heeled Mary Janes

High-Heeled Mary Janes