There’s nothing plain about Mary Janes. This storied shoe style—traditionally a flat black shoe with a single strap across the centre of the foot—has been popular since the 1900s. After a century and a half of being styled with everything from flapper dresses to dungarees, this classic shoe is still captivating fashion obsessives everywhere, including the always elegant Amal Clooney.
Spotted on New York City’s Upper East Side over the weekend, Clooney stepped out of her hotel wearing an older but no-less-lovely pair of patent-leather double-strap Mary Jane pumps by Prada. Paired with sheer black tights, a simple high-neck dress, a white-speckled black coat, and Dior’s Bar bag, the civil rights lawyer’s outfit was at once timeless and totally 2023. And while the dressy daytime look works perfectly with her chunky-heeled shoes, we could just as easily see Clooney pairing the pumps with a structured suit or her favourite pair of jeans. The dress, however, is an inspired choice, too; the mini hemline balanced out by the high neckline? It’s ideal for the current pre-spring climate. Lose the tights when temperatures rise and you’ve got yourself a look you can rely on well into the warmer months.
Given the versatility of Mary Janes, we were excited to see what today’s interpretations of the iconic shoe look like. Ahead, we’ve found the best pairs of high-heel Mary Janes with a variety of straps, heels, and finishes, as well as dresses just like Amal’s to match. We have a feeling you’ll be wearing this combination in no time.
This story originally appeared on Who What Wear U.S.
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