Shoe Opinions? - YouLookFab Forum

I bought the attached shoes in Wine from the NAS, and I am struggling on whether to keep them or not. They are comfortable, and would be easy to spend a day in, so that's not a consideration. The color is beautiful and dark enough not to stand out, but also not plain black.

But are Mary Jane shoes... too young? Twee? Retro? I realize this particular pair skews 1990s, but overall what are your feelings on Mary Jane shoes in general? What are your feelings on these those in particular? Please be honest; I can take it!

And on a related note, Angie was spot-on with the Open Edit Chloe boot recommendation. They are ridiculously comfortable, even given the heel, and I love the style.

Surprisingly, the Donald Pliner boots are also really comfortable, despite the towering (for me) heel. I can easily walk in them and they don't hurt at all. They're not marathon shoes, of course, but I'm delighted to find heels that are wearable! They go beautifully with midi skirts, although I wouldn't wear the platform with knee-length dresses.

Nordstrom

Dirty Laundry Lita Mary Jane Pump

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Nordstrom

OPEN EDIT Chloe Zip Boot

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Nordstrom

Donald J Pliner Platform Bootie

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2 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I don’t think these mary janes are at all retro or twee. Maybe they *could* be retro, but I don’t feel they’re *too* retro. What would you wear them with? Jeans of course would be an easy choice…

Vildy

they look exactly like character shoes for the stage. Kinda cool like that.
I read plenty of what's in/what's out stuff. Warnings against them for older women. I always take that to mean that on the far horizon they suddenly become cool again. Mom jeans, carrot pants, Birkenstocks
with socks, fanny packs.... In other words, *you* will make them stylish
for you simply because you are sporting them.

Suzanne (ambergreen)

OK, I'll weigh in on these mary janes, because I sampled them also. To me they are quite 90s, classic goth (I wouldn't say they're quite like character shoes, having worn that kind of thing in high school with miniskirts, haha. To me, those would be a lot lighter overall with a distinct heel and thin soles. But anyway ... !).

I ignore all warnings about being too old for anything. IMO it's all in how you wear it, like Vildy says. Anything can work, really, in the right combo. I say try them with whatever you're inspired to, and see if you like the look.

Mary janes in general are so classic and there are so many flavors of them. I sport a few different kinds and don't look at them as a class that I should adopt or not. For me it's about the individual pair and does it work in my wardrobe?

All that said, I've decided to return these because they are, well, plastic. I have a policy of preferring leather for anything closed-up. Sandals can slide on that sometimes. It's now customary for gothy 90s club styles to be plastic for a few reasons, and I'm not such a big fan. But that's me!

Aesthetically these are very nice-looking shoes, but I know that going forward, I personally would feel wrong about the lack of breathing and give, and plastic shoes tend to crack and scuff ... besides the environmental concerns. They are tempting, but I'm going to hold out for leather myself.

Indigoprint

I know what you mean about MaryJane's for adults. BUT I think the style you chose and as you and Vildy mentioned it will be how you wear them. The chunky sole makes them look modern and grown-up to me.
Seems like once you embrace the look you could find a suitable leather pair. I also agree that the color is divine.

kkards

Well i always think of Mary Janes as classics that seem to come and go, and are both young and ageless. Young, because the “kids” always think they are discovering the cool thing, and ageless because us “oldsters” remember them from before (and maybe even from before that). If you think they are comfortable and you like the color, then they are keepers
and YAY for finding boots that work as well

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

These Mary Janes rock, Echo. Very '90s, and on trend. Also theatrical somehow. And beautifully retro......that will defy trends. The colour is great, and gels with your dark wardrobe. If the synthetic uppers work - go for it!

Thanks for validating the Open Edits! Great price

And good to know the Pliners are comfy! A well made shoe.

Suz

It's all in how you wear it!
I like the ones you bought. Wine is a great colour and it feels a bit "Dorothy"-like but also 90s and so they will be fun to wear.

Bijou

I think they are fabulous and would wear them, they are beyond trends.

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