One of the classic shoes is the Mary Jane. A Mary Jane is a very basic shoe with a strap across the top. Most of the time, a Mary Jane has a low heel, and traditionally these are black shoes, often made from patent leather. Today, though, in keeping with evolving styles and a desire for individuality, Mary Janes are taking on new life. There are Mary Jane pumps, and there are Mary Janes that comes with large, chunky heels. There are even sneaker-style Mary Jane shoes. It is also possible to find Mary Janes made from different materials, with large and embellished buckles and in a variety of colors.
Where the name "Mary Jane" Originated
Back in the early 1900s, Richard Outcault created a comic strip called Buster Brown. Buster Brown was rather popular, and he had a sister named Mary Jane. While both siblings wore the simple, strapped shoes in the comic, they ended up being named after the female character (I guess calling them "Buster Browns" just didn't have the same appeal).
At any rate, Outcault was no idiot. In 1904 he went to the World's Fair and began selling licenses like crazy to companies who wanted to use his comic characters to help sell their products. The Brown Shoe Company (hmmm ... not idiots, either, seeing an opportunity to use Buster Brown to represent Brown shoes) bought a license from Outcault and began doing its best to cement a connection between beloved comic characters and shoes.
Mary Janes Today
In the past, Mary Janes were associated mainly with little schoolgirls. Now, though, Mary Jane shoes are worn by women of all ages. And where they used to be worn by boys as well, there are very few males these days who would feel comfortable wearing a pair of Mary Janes.
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