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Definition of Mary Janes

By Desiree Stimpert, About.com

The top strap makes these Mary Janes.

It's the strap across the middle top that makes these shoes Mary Janes.

Image Courtesy of Zappos.com
Definition: A mary jane shoe usually refers to a girl's or woman's shoe that is styled after shoes children used to wear.

Mary janes can have varying heel heights and come in a variety of styles, but what makes them mary janes is the strap that crosses the middle top of the foot - sometimes shoes called, mary janes will have multiple straps crossing the top of the foot.

Traditionally, a mary jane shoe has a short, rounded toe box, and very flat heel, although now nearly any style or height of shoe can have mary jane styling.

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Also Known As: Mary-Janes, MaryJanes

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