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Mary Jane is an originally American term for a kind of strap shoes that typically have low heels, rounded closed toes, and a buckled strap across the instep. They are often made of black patent leather, although some current incarnations are also made of canvas or suede.
Traditionally Mary Janes are a variety of shoes worn mainly by girls. In modern times they are worn by women of all ages. However, while Mary Janes may be considered formal for girls, they are informal when worn by women.
Pictures of them are located here. Both were worn during 80's and 90's.
Etymology
Mary Jane was the girl who always tagged along with Buster Brown. The term appears to have been a trade named coined by Buster Brown & Company. It is part of the Brown Shoe Company, which was founded in 1878 by George Warren Brown.
Mary Janes today
Mary Janes are still very popular, although today there is a wider variety of selection. There are many different types of Mary Jane shoes. Not all Mary Jane shoes are American. A large variety come from China and Japan. Mary Jane shoes are known all around the world.
Today's more stylish Mary Janes tend to be platform styles, with half-inch to one-inch soles and three- to five-inch "chunky" heels, often with exaggerated grommets or buckles. These styles were especially popular in the United States in the late-1990s and early-2000s, within punk rock, psychobilly, and goth subcultures. Many times the wearers would accent the look with knee-high knit socks in dark-colored stripes or patterns and often complete the look with a plaid, pleated schoolgirl-style skirt.
External links
"Mary Jane (shoe)"