I'm a big fan of Sole Trader and its small but always well-formed range of smart shoes. My own longest-lasting pair of shoes were by Sole, so they are a great value option for stylish, quality shoes.
Zalic is everything you need in a good pair of MJs: comfortable, stylish and brought up-to-date with its triangular heel and contrasting leather. £59.99.
Related: Toast Nazer heel MJs in lipstick red | Sole two-tone t-bars in yellow and grey
Remember the fabulous studded Louboutins Madonna wore to Live Earth last year? Well, these are... nothing like them, really. But they're working along the same lines, at least, with the studs on the heel and strap, and if you're looking for a way to toughen up your Mary Jane look, this could well be it. These are £240 by Strutt Couture, and they're available at ASOS. I think they'd be a great look for winter, worn with opaque tights, and they'll add a bit of an edge to all of your demure skirts and dresses, too.
Related: Topshop printed Mary Jane summer shoe | Prada flower-heel Mary Jane | Round buckle Mary Jane stilettos
This black and pink combo isn't actually the nicest version of these Naughty Monkey shoes, I don't think, but it's certainly the most eye-catching, which is why I'm featuring it here. Personally, I much prefer the black/gold or red/gold versions of this shoe - that pink is much too "Barbie" for me - but colour quibbles aside, I think this is a great shoe. I love the buckle detail on the side, and the two-tone colourways also appeal to me. The price isn't bad either: these are $90 at Zappos, which means all you have to do is decide which pair to buy...
Related: Topshop printed Mary Jane summer shoe | Prada flower-heel Mary Jane | Round buckle Mary Jane stilettos
I think these unusual-looking Mary Janes by Toast are really rather chic: available in ultramarine or lipstick red, they have an understated glamour about them that will earn you oodles of style points.
The uppers are made from exceptionally soft suede, and this much is obvious simply by looking at the shoes close up. The heels are worth a second glance too: fashionably cone-shaped, they have a contrasting tip. £165 from Toast.
Related: Repetto ballet pumps reduced at Toast | Melissa 'Hello' Mary Janes in flocked scented plastic
I've not seen a Melissa shoe that wasn't made entirely from plastic before, but these smart 'Hello' shoes in green flock show that the queen of jelly works well in other materials, too.
There's more than a touch of the Vivienne Westwood about these tartan trimmed Mary Janes, which despite their textured finish are both fully waterproof and bubblegum scented. Ideal for those occasions where smart is necessary but bad weather is likely.
Related: Melissa 'Happy' flats | Melissa rubber brogues from Browns
This particular style of Mary Jane, with a narrow strap low on the foot, has to be my very favourite. It's somehow more elegant than the versions where the strap sits across the bridge of the foot and, of course, the narrow stiletto heel helps too.
These shoes come from Warehouse, which was a little bit of a surprise to me: I love Warehouse's clothes, but their shoes have been nice, but nothing particularly special up until now. At £60, though, these are good value for a shoe you'll get a whole lot of wear out of.
Related: Topshop printed Mary Jane summer shoe | Prada flower-heel Mary Jane | Round buckle Mary Jane stilettos
These multi-textured courts with faux snakeskin effect from Bertie put a fun and quirky spin on the traditional Mary-Jane and will add a bit of extra glamour to smart or evening wear.
I love the way the ankle strap curves around to the very back of the heel, giving the shoe a sophisticated, structured look, while the cone heel brings them into line with most of the season's trends. Cute! They're available for £85 at ASOS.
Related: 'Attention' wedge pump from Bertie | Bertie's 'aggressive' metallic courts
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