Strap into the silhouette of the season, and the next one’s too.
What unites performance sneakers, balletcore slip-ons, academia-adjacent footwear and pounding platforms? Each distinct aesthetic has found itself rendered in a Mary Jane – the trending shoe that slots into most style preferences.
The most rudimentary definition of a
Further than just being the footwear silhouette du jour, the ability to layer with socks in escalating weft and cosiness make Mary Janes a shoe for every season.
Following on from its coveted slip-on collaboration, fifth-generation Dunedin shoemakers McKinlays has linked back up with fashion brand Commonplace to create these scholastically styled chunky-soled T-bar Mary Janes. A nubuck upper, available in petrol blue, black, a cherry-toned tan or deep brown, sits atop a rugged rubber sole, finished with contrast stitching.
Boxy enough for business, sleek enough for off-duty, these Bronwyn shoes fit the Auckland-based brand’s remit for designing elevated footwear essentials crafted with “an appreciation for a minimalist aesthetic and an eye for detail”. If the square toe isn’t mesmerising enough, consider the version in a transcendent textured silver shade.
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Vintage charm meets a fresh modern appeal in these surprisingly versatile pumps that will add a pop of whimsical tomato girl energy to any outfit.
With design cues taken from a classic dance shoe, the patent leather exterior on these round-toed beauties gives way inside to Clarks’ signature cushioned footbed, designed to promote a superiorly comfortable underfoot experience with or without cushioning socks.
Part Mary Jane, part performance sneaker, balletcore meets sportswear in this collaboration between the brand with three stripes and Paris-based model Taqwa Bint Ali.
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Advertise with NZME.Grosgrain bows add a romantic allure to these preppy and feminine velvet-wrapped pumps.
Mary Janes with attitude. Alongside their distinctive Dr Marten details such as the yellow welt stitching and scripted heel loops, these built-up shoes have Orleans leather to thank for timeless appeal. The lightly textured waxy pull-up leather is chosen to stand (or stomp) the test of time.
One for fans of the supremely breathable naked shoe trend. Fine gauge fishnet construction offers peekaboo sheerness, while calf leather outlining and a trio of buckles add edge to the otherwise delicate nature.
The aged look of these platform Mary Janes doesn’t just fit the retro styling, it aids wearability too. The low-maintenance goatskin leather is varnished to add durability in the face of everyday wear and tear. An ankle strap, fastened with a light-gold square buckle, provides security at the top of the towering 8cm laminated heel.
A high drama pair that will appeal to magpies and statement makers alike. Eyes will naturally be pulled first to the bold silver finish and studded grommets, but there are less obvious details worth your while too, the loosely covered square toes for one.
The year of the snake rendered in a pair of printed leather standouts.
The studded silver embellishment isn’t the only serious engineering this pair of sleek shoes boasts. It looks low-profile but a cleverly constructed footbed counteracts common orthotic pitfalls. A metatarsal dome reduces pressure on the ball of the foot and a cushioned mid-arch provides optimal support where others fall flat.
A 5cm heel lifts the appeal of these two-toned slingbacks without impacting their wearability. The classic ecru and black interplay offers a twice as nice colour-matching opportunity.
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