The first pair of Mary Jane shoes in my life was bought at Bata three years ago. Later, they became the shoes I used most frequently in the summer. Whenever I felt my outfit was too plain, such as when I wore a white dress, I would pair it with these yellow Mary Jane shoes.

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How to Choose a Pair of Mary Jane Shoes

I believe that shoes are not meant to be matched with clothes.

when I later added a yellow bag to my collection, I found that the utility rate of these shoes greatly increased.

How to Choose a Pair of Mary Jane Shoes

Mary Jane shoes are a magical type of shoe. Once you put them on, a woman’s heart will unconsciously tune into a little girl’s mindset, turning into a lady. So, whether it’s the clothes we wear or the accessories we use, they will all influence our behavior and speech, shape us in reverse, and nurture us anew.

This is what I’ve always wanted to convey to women: love yourself well. You don’t need to own many clothes (I don’t have many either), but you must buy yourself some decent quality clothes. These clothes can nurture you anew, making you feel precious and valuable, earning the respect of others and a good income.

Three years ago, I bought a pair of round-toe Mary Jane shoes. This reminds me of a common self-joking remark among women: “I always feel that last year’s clothes don’t match who I am this year!”

What are Mary Jane shoes? Mary Jane shoes are a general American term for strapped shoes, especially those with low heels, round fronts, and ankle strap fastenings. Generally, a round-toe covered high-heeled shoe with a strap across the instep is called a Mary Jane shoe. They are especially known for their low heels, round fronts, and ankle strap fastenings, resembling the black leather shoes worn in childhood choir competitions. The strap is a key element of the design, usually made of black patent leather.

How to Choose a Pair of Mary Jane Shoes
Mary Jane Shoes

The Mary Jane shoes I am sharing today, compared to the traditional low-heeled, round-toe, ankle strap design, may have some variations in style, but we still generally refer to them as Mary Jane shoes!

Before sharing how to choose Mary Jane shoes, I’ll first provide a diagram of different foot types, which you can use to determine what shoe style suits your foot type.

Mary Jane Shoes
Mary Jane Shoes
Mary Jane Shoes

Next, I will officially share a few tips on selecting shoes.

1.Look at the shape of the toe cap

Mary Jane shoes come in four toe cap shapes: round, square, square-round, and pointed.

Mary Jane shoes
Mary Jane shoes

Round toe shoes, in terms of line, have a curvilinear feel and convey a sense of being well-behaved and cute, so they are suitable for women with more curved facial features. In terms of foot shape, they suit Roman, German, and Celtic feet.

Mary Jane Shoes
Mary Jane Shoes

Square toe shoes have more angular lines, suitable for women with straighter facial features and a more neutral, powerful style. In terms of foot shape, they suit Roman, Celtic, and Greek feet.

Mary Jane Shoes

Square-round toe shoes, in terms of line, are neither too straight nor too curved, offering a moderate balance. These shoes, which are neither overly cute nor too neutral, are suitable for most women. In terms of foot shape, they suit Roman, Celtic, and Greek feet.

Mary Jane shoes
Mary Jane shoes

Pointed toe shoes are refined, sexy, and have a slight aggressiveness, suitable for women who want to express their feminine charm. In terms of foot shape, they suit Egyptian, Greek, and Celtic feet.

2.Consider the color

Different colored Mary Jane shoes
Different colored Mary Jane shoes
Different colored Mary Jane shoes
Different colored Mary Jane shoes

Shoes are meant to be matched with bags. So, before choosing a color, you can first take inventory of the colors of the bags you have at home, and then select a pair of Mary Jane shoes that can resonate with the colors of your bags.

How to Choose a Pair of Mary Jane Shoes
Mary Jane Shoes

For example, in my set of matching, the shoes and the bag are exactly the same color tone, and they harmonize well together.

3.Consider the heel

Mary Jane shoes
Mary Jane shoes

Mary Jane shoes
Mary Jane shoes

Flat Mary Jane shoes, in terms of aura, are relatively mild and suitable for clothing with a lighter sense of weight.

Mary Jane shoes
Mary Jane shoes
Mary Jane shoes
Mary Jane shoes

The Mary Jane shoes with a block heel, on the other hand, have more presence and a sense of strength, suitable for heavier, more substantial dresses that they can fully support.

4. Consider the width of the strap

Mary Jane shoes
Mary Jane shoes

The finer the strap on the shoe’s upper, the smaller the volume, the more delicate, sexy, and feminine the style, suitable for a petite woman.

Mary Jane shoes
Mary Jane shoes

The wider the strap on the shoe’s upper, the larger the volume, the more grand and androgynous the style, suitable for a mature woman.

5.Consider the material

Mary Jane shoes
Mary Jane shoes

Shoes made from different materials will present different styles. For example, shoes made from hard leather will have a more rugged, vintage style, which needs to be matched with correspondingly styled clothing to look good.

Mary Jane shoes
Mary Jane shoes

Shoes made from patent leather have a more modern and refined style, suitable for pairing with materials that have a shiny finish, such as silk, acetate, and chiffon.

Mary Jane shoes
Mary Jane shoes

Shoes made from satin fabric have a more luxurious style, suitable for pairing with garments made from heavy silk fabrics, such as new Chinese-style clothing, silk shirts, or silk half skirts.

Alright! That’s it for today’s sharing. I hope you found these insights on selecting the perfect pair of Mary Jane shoes both useful and inspiring. Remember, the right pair can truly elevate your style and make you feel confident and elegant.


Take the time to explore different styles, colors, and materials to find the ones that resonate with your personal taste and complement your wardrobe. And most importantly, enjoy the journey of self-expression through fashion.

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