Interesting article about the origin of Mary Jane shoes

Discussion of fashion elements and looks that are traditionally considered somewhat "femme" but are presented in a masculine context. This is NOT about transvestism or crossdressing.
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oldsalt1
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Re: Interesting article about the origin of Mary Jane shoes

Post by oldsalt1 »

interesting article I would say the more than half of my shoes are Mary Janes.

The strap helps keep them on and most of them have the thick or clunky heels . which are great for support especially if you are a little heavy

I don't have any flats most have about a 2 1/2 inch heel
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Re: Interesting article about the origin of Mary Jane shoes

Post by nzfreestyler »

I like the round toe on them... so innocent a shoe shape - I like the contrast to my pointy toed pumps.

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Re: Interesting article about the origin of Mary Jane shoes

Post by partlyscot »

I'm not sure what the article is on about when it talks about portraits of kings wearing them. Even the one in the link looks more like a loaner than a Mary Jane.
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Re: Interesting article about the origin of Mary Jane shoes

Post by beachlion »

For some reason I'm not very fond of Mary Jane shoes. I have no Idea why but I think I associate it too much with children. In the Netherlands, a lot of women of the "back to nature" movement wore Mary Janes in rudimentary styles. They were called Duckies and I allways believed it was after Daisy Duck but some research showed me I was wrong. It made my distaste for those shapeless, colorless and fashionless shoes of the green women not diminish.

Even with the less bulky models the strap seems to break the flowing line of the leg. Even ankle straps, in a lesser way, have the same effect on me. But it is just my opinion. If you like it, wear it.
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Re: Interesting article about the origin of Mary Jane shoes

Post by Freedomforall »

oldsalt1 wrote: Mon May 04, 2020 10:35 am interesting article I would say the more than half of my shoes are Mary Janes.

The strap helps keep them on and most of them have the thick or clunky heels . which are great for support especially if you are a little heavy

I don't have any flats most have about a 2 1/2 inch heel
Where do you find yours at? I searched a little and could not find a good source with my size.
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Re: Interesting article about the origin of Mary Jane shoes

Post by Bertino56 »

@beachlion, I had a pair of those.
Purchased by mail order from Zwartjes Schoenhandel (spelling?)
in Amsterdam in 1974. Size 45. They cost about $15.00 U.S.
They were dark brown, plain non-shiny leather, plain stitching.
I saw some people wearing them where I was living at the time
(Berkeley, California) so I asked about them. You are correct,
the name of that style was something like "Duckies" or "Duckees."
Definitely a "Mary Jane" although that name is unfortunate.
Like skirts, there is nothing in them that makes them inherently
feminine. I have had other "Mary Janes" over the years, but
now I have two pairs of Duckfeet Himmerlands, from Denmark,
and I'm thinking about getting their Lolland which is a T-bar shoe.
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Re: Interesting article about the origin of Mary Jane shoes

Post by partlyscot »

beachlion wrote: Mon May 04, 2020 8:37 pm For some reason I'm not very fond of Mary Jane shoes. I have no Idea why but I think I associate it too much with children.
I quite like the look, but I don't feel comfortable wearing them because I associate them with children. In the same way, pleated plaid skirt that are above the knee make me feel like I'm dressing up as a schoolgirl.
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Sinned
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Re: Interesting article about the origin of Mary Jane shoes

Post by Sinned »

So that's another fashion item that the women have stolen from us!
I believe in offering every assistance short of actual help but then mainly just want to be left to be myself in all my difference and uniqueness.
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oldsalt1
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Re: Interesting article about the origin of Mary Jane shoes

Post by oldsalt1 »

Where do you find yours at? I searched a little and could not find a good source with my size.
I get most of mine on amazon

I especially like the Brinley co I wear men's 9 and the ladies 10 is a very comfortable fit usually under $25
Last edited by Uncle Al on Tue May 05, 2020 7:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Fixed quoting format
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Re: Interesting article about the origin of Mary Jane shoes

Post by r.m.anderson »

I have 5 pair - 3 by RYKA (white maroon grey) - 1 by Bellini (blue) - and on black leather with plaid interior by Lower East Side (an eBay purchase)
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Re: Interesting article about the origin of Mary Jane shoes

Post by Freedomforall »

Sinned wrote: Tue May 05, 2020 8:41 am So that's another fashion item that the women have stolen from us!
Yes!
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Re: Interesting article about the origin of Mary Jane shoes

Post by Ralph »

Well, that blows my theory about the origin of the name all to pieces.

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Re: Interesting article about the origin of Mary Jane shoes

Post by Freedomforall »

Ralph wrote: Tue May 05, 2020 9:24 pm Well, that blows my theory about the origin of the name all to pieces.

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You couldn't resist! :D :D :D
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Re: Interesting article about the origin of Mary Jane shoes

Post by moonshadow »

Sinned wrote: Tue May 05, 2020 8:41 am So that's another fashion item that the women have stolen from us!
Well... I wouldn't say women "stole it", women, as is normally the case generally don't get all hung up sharing in our styles.

Men are the ones who get all weird about this stuff... "Fragile male ego" is practically a cliche.
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