The Mary Jane shoe, traditionally a low-cut flat crossed by a single strap that fastens with a snap, button or bar, is one of those styles that never quite leaves the fashion consciousness. It got its name from a character in the New York Herald’s Buster Brown comics at the turn of the 20th century and has since been taken up by subcultures and the mainstream alike. Shirley Temple wore them in Baby Take a Bow, Twiggy paired them with Mary Quant shift dresses in the ’60s and punks favored platform styles throughout the ’90s. Practical and comfortable, Mary Janes have strong associations with childhood, though today they’re…
