The 14 Best Mary Janes to Wear This Fall

I can't remember the first time I bought Mary Janes or where I wore them. What I do remember is securing the buckle, shimmying my socks just so, and feeling ready. After a hiatus of a decade (give or take), all the best Mary Janes—from demi-heel versions across DTC brands to the cult-favorite Margiela Tabi topped with a Mary Jane buckle—are making me fall back in love with the style. There's a bona fide fall 2022 shoe trend happening here, but the prep-meets-Parisian shoe never really went anywhere. Cassie Smart, head of womenswear at MatchesFashion, says her team has always gravitated toward Mary Janes, regardless of whether they're on the runways.

"The effortless chic of the Mary Jane style is the reason why our clients are drawn to this silhouette year after year," Smart tells BAZAAR.com. And she has styling suggestions to prove it: They can polish up jeans from FRAME and Chloe as easily as they complement office separates like a Khaite blazer or smart shirting from Raey and Toteme, she says.

The designers reinventing Mary Janes best in 2022 are drawn to their sense of history and their versatility. "The BY FAR design philosophy is rooted in the reinvention of timeless silhouettes—and the Mary Jane is one of the most iconic designs ever," says the label's co-founder and creative director Denitsa Bumbarova. "The simplicity of the Mary Jane belies a potential for experimentation and abstraction which is integral to

Larroudé

larroude.com

$290.00

"The Mary Jane is a style I particularly love and have worn a lot, but we were missing in our assortment," Marina Larroudé tells us. "For fall, it made sense to bring that '60’s vibe back in the form of flats, platforms, or even pumps."

On the flats front, these patent, pointed-toe Mary Janes have the makings of an all-day shoe with their namesake's Upper East Side attitude. They're strikingly shiny and lined in a cushioned memory foam.

Chanel

chanel.com

$1250.00

No one does a cap-toe, colorblock Mary Jane better than Chanel—and while other brands have flirted on and off with the shape, the house has always made a classic version available. This fall, Chanel is experimenting with mixed materials to offer unexpected texture with all of the usual elegance.

By Far

net-a-porter.com

$435.00

By Far's low heel isn't your typical Mary Jane. "When we first introduced the 'Ginny' pump for Pre-Fall 2021, we wanted to take the silhouette beyond school-girl territory," Bumbarova tells us,"so we decided to keep the lines simple while incorporating characteristically BY FAR tones." For 2022, "the style evolved in a sophisticated seasonal palette that still feels cool and contemporary"—aka the cherry red here, plus black and slate gray.

Vagabond

vagabond.com

$130.00

The trifecta of a nice save: buttery leather, minimal break-in period, and a sub-$150 price tag. Choose from cream or classic black, and be sure to pair with a lace-trimmed ankle sock.

Gucci

matchesfashion.com

$980.00

MatchesFashion's Smart calls Mary Janes with square-toes and neutral shades a "modern alternative to the stiletto heel." With a comfortable block heel and a blush tone, these Gucci pumps check the versatility box.

The Row

matchesfashion.com

$790.00

Another pair name-checked by Smart for fall/winter 2022? The Row's Ava Mary Janes. These have the same trending square toe as Gucci's pump, but an everyday height and subtle piping along the edges.

Ganni

ganni.com

$425.00

The market has its share of Mary Janes coated in rhinestones, beading, and other embellishments for fall. Rather than going full maximalist, try a pair with one shiny element to punctuate the plain leather, like this Ganni version clocking all the street style credits.

Zou Xou

zouxou.com

$290.00

These lug-sole beauties are for the woman who sees herself wearing Mary Janes often; they aren't going to scuff or wear out after a month of use. Zou Xou creative director Katherine Theobalds is all about footwear that's sensible but stylish. Her Mary Janes are made in small batches in Argentina, with tortoiseshell buckles to contrast the heavy-duty utility of the soles.

Christian Louboutin

net-a-porter.com

$845.00

We'll never say no to red bottoms. The Louboutin take on Mary Janes goes extra luxe with parallel straps and the slickest patent leather—details worth investing in.

LOQ

loq.us

$340.00

There's something balletic about curved, foot-hugging fit of LOQ's Mary Janes, which are handmade in Spain. Then there's the rounded block heel for an extra inch of height and a delightfully retro look.

3.1 Phillip Lim

net-a-porter.com

$650.00

Platform Mary Janes take this summer's sky-high shoe obsession into fall with a preppy twist. This pair rises 90mm off the ground, but the pitch of the sole is still made for walking. The same pair comes in disco glitter if you're in a dancing mood (or shopping for a Harry Styles concert).

Margaux

margauxny.com

$298.00

Celebrity stylist Micaela Erlanger partnered with Margaux for Mary Janes fit the biggest events on your calendar, from the pointed toes to the crystal embellishments. Shoppers who've chosen them for a special occasion agree they're fit for several hours of celebrations. As one reviewer gushes, "These shoes are so cute and comfortable. I get a ton of compliments on them, and the best part—they don’t hurt my feet!"

For brides-to-be, this periwinkle pair can be your something blue; for non-nuptial occasions, Margaux also carries black and key lime green.

Dôen

shopdoen.com

$188.00

Velvet Mary Janes may feel like a "holiday" shoe, but the rich fabric can finish jeans-and-a-tee outfits with an elevated touch. When the time comes, we'd keep wear this pair with a gold lamé party dress.

Prada

bergdorfgoodman.com

$1120.00

Prada's Mary Jane-loafer hybrid might just become the modern prepster's go-to shoe, with a two-inch heel and a polished silver buckle. Take your pick from four versatile leathers: black, cream, navy, and cherry red.