Say Goodbye to the Cumbersome Journey Sneaker—This Trending Shoe Is Taking Over the Terminal
I have a theory about travel shoes: The ones you pack with the most optimism are not often the ones you want to be wearing by day three. The chic flat starts rubbing and the chunky sneaker suddenly feels too casual for a sundress. And somewhere between takeoff and dinner, you might find yourself wishing for a shoe that can do it all. Enter the Mary Jane sneaker, fashion’s latest—and surprisingly convincing—attempt to make a practical shoe a little more fun.
I became infatuated with the fadoe so stylish could be so comfortable—and actually travel-friendly. It’s so easy to slip these on for just about anything—they look stellar with denim, skirts, dresses, you name it. I love them so much that I bought them in another color. The Mary Jane sneaker’s formula is wonderfully simple: Give it the low-slung shape of a ballet flat with the sole support of your favorite sneaker
The common denominator? That little Mary Jane strap that somehow makes a sneaker feel instantly more dressed up. At first glance, some versions of the Mary Jane sneaker are barely distinguishable from a classic flat; others come in a technical mesh with a chunky tread or cushiony insoles. The Mary Jane, of course, has been doing its own sort of shape-shifting for more than a century.
The name traces back to Mary Jane,
The name traces back to Mary Jane, a fictional character in Richard Felton Outcault’s Buster Brown comic strip which debuted in 1902, who often appeared wearing the now iconic shoe style. It evolved into a practical, strap-secured shoe for children and eventually became a fashion staple for women everywhere, cycling through patent leather, ballet flats, platforms, and beyond. Now it has found its way onto a sneaker—and the timing is just right.
Fashion has spent the last few years making sneakers progressively less athletic-looking. Slim retro trainers and terrace shoes brought them closer to everyday fashion; ballet sneakers softened the silhouettes. Even sporty-forward brands like Salomon and Merrell have experimented with shapes that lean more street shoes, rather than those you wear to the gym. The Mary Jane sneaker makes this movement even more appealing for the traveler: It offers you sneaker-level practicality without making your outfit look like it was built solely around comfort.
The best Mary Jane sneakers are also splendidly packable. The low-profile styles can easily disappear into a spare corner of your suitcase, rather than eating up the space that a bulky sneaker demands. Wear them on the flight and they can become your primary walking shoe; or pack them just in case for those outfits that need a little more oomph without risking any blisters. Below, I’ve rounded up 12 stylish Mary Jane sneakers I’m eyeing this season.
From Puma’s cheetah-print ballet flats to Dolce Vita’s suede sneakers, these styles just might be your hardest-working travel shoe this fall. Shop the Mary Jane sneakers I’m eyeing
Source: www.cntraveler.com
