10 Mary Jane Shoes from Korean Brands

With its unique straps, shape similar to girls’ school shoes, comfortable to wear, and outstanding court shoes, Mary Jane shoes are one of the shoe styles that are full of charm, making them a timeless fashion shoe. No matter how much time passes, ‘Mary Jane shoes’ still capture the hearts of girls all over the world who always pick them up and wear them. The same goes for the autumn fashion trend in Korea. Mary Jane shoes are considered a must-have item.

What are Mary Jane shoes?

Mary Jane (also known as bar shoes or doll shoes) is an American term (formerly a registered trademark) for a closed, low-cut shoe with one or more straps across the instep.

Classic Mary Janes for children are typically made of black leather or patent leather and have one thin strap fastened with a buckle or button, a broad and rounded toe box, low heels, and thin outsoles. Among girls, Mary Janes are commonly worn with tights, pantyhose, socks, and a dress, or a skirt and blouse. Among boys (less common), Mary Janes are traditionally worn with socks, short trousers and a shirt. Mary Janes can also be worn on bare feet by both boys and girls.

Tips for Choosing Mary Jane Shoes

1.Choose from good quality materials.

Mary Jane shoes nowadays have a wider variety of materials than before, whether it is genuine leather or synthetic materials such as PU leather or various types of synthetic leather instead of using real leather. Although it is synthetic material, it is soft, comfortable, flexible, does not bite the feet, and is easy to maintain because many brands choose to use premium grades. Importantly, shoes made from synthetic materials are more affordable than genuine leather, making them a more popular material.

2.Choose the Mary Jane shoe style that suits your foot shape.

Mary Jane Round Toe: Suitable for almost all foot shapes, whether Roman, Greek, Egyptian or square feet. The toe is rounder than other styles. It looks fresh like a school shoe.
Square Toe Mary Jane Shoes: Suitable for Roman, Egyptian and square feet. Easy to notice at the toe, it is a flat toe. The curve is more or less curved depending on the design. Wearing it looks polite.
Pointed Mary Janes: These are great for Greek feet, but not for Egyptian or square feet, as they can cause tightness in the forefoot. If you really need to, opt for soft leather and a slightly wider front section. The shape of the shoe is pointed and conical, and the pointiness of the toe will depend on the design.

3.Heel height

The height of the heel will directly affect the comfort of wearing, including the finished look. If you want a casual look, we recommend choosing Mary Jane shoes with flat heels or just 1-1.5 inches high, so you can walk for a long time without getting tired. But if you want a tall and elegant look, you may choose a 2-3 inch heel because it is the perfect beauty and not too difficult to walk. But if you are a short person who wants to wear very high heels so that you don’t sink, choose a heel height of 3.5 or higher, and then choose Mary Jane shoes with a platform in the front to reduce foot pain and help you balance better.

10 Mary Jane Shoes from Korean Brands

In 2024, the Balletcore look was popular among K-pop idols. However, it was quite difficult for the average Korean to replicate, so it didn’t become a widespread trend. However, Mary Jane shoes, which look similar to ballet flats, have become increasingly popular. In hip places like Seongsu-dong, which is very popular among Korea’s MZ generation, you can see Mary Jane shoes everywhere! This further emphasizes the popularity of the fall season.

Mary Jane shoes are known for their round toe and straps at the top of the foot. These shoes are very versatile and pair well with girlcore styles. They add a romantic touch when taking pictures in the fall. In this article, TTUFU will introduce you to Mary Jane shoes from a Korean brand that has outstanding quality and unique style.