Mary Janes are often dismissed as the 'little girls' of footwear, often designed with no thought for sophistication or sex appeal.
Not so Bottega Veneta's satin and lizard-trim Mary Janes which would kick you where it hurt if you ever had the nerve to call them childish! Tough, smart and with a hint of twenties cheekiness, these unusual mushroom-coloured shoes are certainly feminine but they also mean business.
£430 at Browns
Related: Bottega Veneta cut-out ankle boots | Mary Jane Monday: Minna Parikka patents
These studded Mary Janes from Topshop have been on my radar for a while now as they're one many styles brought out to address demand for the "studded" look this autumn.
Personally, I wouldn't wear these shoes as I prefer to either go all-out for a trend or ignore it altogether. These sit somewhere in the middle: a slightly wussy attempt to 'get the look' without truly embracing it. In fact, they look very much like last winter's MJs to me, but minus the pom-poms. What do you think? I'm sure there'll be a huge market for this style as plenty want an on-trend look that won't be screamingly dated in a year, and nodding subtly to a look is a good way to do that. But I'm not sold.
£70 at Topshop
Related: thigh-high boots from Topshop | Topshop's 'Hugo' fringed studded sandals
Leopard print is almost as ubiquitous as black, tan and navy in shoe terms nowadays, and it's a great fabric to go for if you're planning to buy a simple, all-purpose pump you can wear day in day out but don't want anything too plain.
Pedro Garcia's ponyskin leopard Mary Janes are now half price at the Outnet so you can have a classic, infinitely wearable shoe with a twist at a fraction of the cost. With their designer-embossed soles you'll know they're the real deal as you bring them out time and again, either on bare legs worn with denim, or on block colour tights in winter. £105 (from £210) at The Outnet.
Related: Pedro Garcia Minnie feather pumps | Mary Jane Monday: Fluoro Fluevog Mary Jane sandals
Can you believe these crazy day-glo sandals? You'd better, because they're right here in front of your eyes, and they're not going to vanish when you blink. The statement-making shoes by John Fluevog are typical of the brands bold, chunky style but with an extra ounce of cute supplied by a pair of bows that Hello Kitty would be proud of.
If you like the style but won't do pink, they're available in a very emo-friendly black and grey, too.
$159 at Fluevog
If ever a shoe lived up to its name, it's these 'Astound' wedges at £140 from Carvela, because I am astounded anyone could actually walk in them.
That is a 5.9 inch heel people. Almost 6 inches. If I feared of death by shoe, you would not see these on my feet.
A drastic spin on the classic mary jane, these are more 'back to my job as a stripper' then 'back to school'. With three patent leather straps and a peep toe, these are definitely shoes for wanting to be seen in. If you want to make sure everyones eyes are on you, they come in red too!
Related: Dolce & Gabbana sequinned wedges | Sergio Rossi Madeleine peep-toe wedges
Who could possibly resist these ravishing red patent shoes with a heart (we always love a heart) by Minna Parikka? The perfectly beautiful stilettos are available at Tatty Devine boutique, where they cost an ouchy (but worth it) £210, and will make you feel every bit a starlet. I can imagine wearing these with reds, whites and ginham blues in summer or a little black dress in winter. A wonderful twist on the classic high heel. [Via Domestic Sluttery]
Related: Minna Parikka 1920s silver showgirl shoes on sale | Minna Parikka 'Ava' two tone high heeled brogues
Eley Kishimoto make wonderful shoes that are as quirky and stylish as their garments, and these colour block Mary Janes are a great find on Farfetch, where their price has been reduced by 39%. A twist on a classic style, the lengthened Mary Janes will lend grace and elegance to the feet, and the beige and coral tones are very fashionable shades right now. £124 at Farfetch.com
Related: Eley Kishimoto striped peep-toes | Eley Kishimoto bow-front Mary Janes
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