Mary Jane shoes: a century of style from comic strips to catwalks

The Mary Jane shoe, named after a character in Richard F. Outcault's 1902 comic strip Buster Brown, has evolved from children's footwear to a fashion staple. Its defining strap and low heel provided stability for dances like the Charleston in the 1920s. After a decline, the 1950s revival was fueled by Shirley Temple's innocent image in 'Little Star' (1934). Judy Garland wore ruby Mary Janes in 'The Wizard of Oz' (1939). In the 1960s, the mod movement in Britain embraced them, with artists like David Hockney and photographer David Bailey capturing models like Twiggy in miniskirts and Mary Janes. Courtney Love adopted a punk version in the 1990s for her kinderwhore style. Contemporary designers Vivienne Westwood, Dior, Chanel, and Gucci have reinterpreted the shoe, while celebrities Alexa Chung and Taylor Swift have brought it back into pop culture.