Mary Janes have been around quite a long time - there are I think Doc Martens still out there and back in the 50's or so then there were the Buster Brown'soldsalt1 wrote:I have a couple of pairs of that type They look like a plain pump with an inch or two of heel and a strap that goes across that helps keep them on. Their the only shoe that I know with a person's name. They are usually referred to as MARY JANE'SSinned wrote:Well, if like me you like the open strappy type shoe with a slight heel then it really IS a big deal as that type of shoe are VERY, VERY feminine. You couldn't exactly miss a man wearing those. I have some pairs that I wear rarely around the house but love them so much I couldn't possibly bear to dispose of them. They are so comfortable as well. Not for me boots and other shoes that you other wear.
(more children sized smaller shoes).
There maybe others but the Mary Janes are very distinctive with the ankle strap(s) with or without the heels !
When you shop a shoe store and ask to see Mary Janes the shoe people know exactly what you mean with one cavet either the flat shoe worn by children and
young women or the pump with heels variety - but both have the pronounced strap. For seniors with difficulty putting on shoes there is a medical mary jane
with inserts for orthopedic wear and with the one strap and open design these are breeze to put on with no lacing just the mary jane strap fastened with Velcro.
One thing those Ruby Red Slippers that Dorothy clicked her heels to get back to Kansas were definitely not Mary Janes but similar looking Oh my oh my lions
tigers and bears - mary jane slippers ? we're off to the see the Wizard the wonder Wizard of OZ !
Wikipedia - Mary Janes - interesting history - LINK:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Jane_(shoe)