The well-known merceditas or Mary Jane are a timeless classic in women's footwear, recognizable by their distinctive strap across the instep and their romantic, elegant look. But have you ever wondered where their name comes from and why this term became popular?
The name Mary Jane comes from an American comic strip published in the early 20th century. In 1902, cartoonist Richard Felton Outcault created a comic called Buster Brown, featuring a wealthy boy, his dog, and his sister, Mary Jane. She wore the typical shoes of the time: rounded toe, black color, and a strap across the instep. The comic's success was such that since then, the footwear associated with one of the main characters took on a new name: Mary Jane.
Although originally a children’s shoe, Mary Janes were gradually adopted by women’s fashion. In the 1920s and 30s, many women began wearing them with low heels as part of a refined and modern look. Since then, the design has evolved but retained its essence: a closed shoe with a strap or buckle across the instep. These shoes, also called merceditas, have been worn by some of the most prominent fashion muses. Gabrielle Coco Chanel wore them in the 1920s; Jane Birkin made them her own in the 70s; and today Sarah Jessica Parker makes them a style icon.
They were mainly made of patent leather, like our Lolina merceditas or our Charlotte Taupe Mary Janes, but over time they have adapted to all styles and materials.
In the Spanish language, especially in countries like Spain, this style is known as merceditas. The term originated in Spain in the year 1878.
Queen María de las Mercedes of Orleans, commonly known as “Merceditas,” married King Alfonso XII, creating one of the most iconic love stories in the history of the Spanish royal dynasties. Their romance was intense but also very brief, as just five months after their marriage, Merceditas fell ill and died. Interestingly, a song was dedicated to her referencing this type of shoe, the merceditas, as it was one of the wedding gifts Alfonso gave his wife.
Today, Mary Janes or merceditas remain synonymous with classic elegance, versatility, and a certain nostalgic charm. From school uniforms to high fashion runways, this style has proven to be much more than a trend: it is a piece with history, character, and timeless style.
Whether you call them Mary Janes or merceditas, the truth is these shoes have walked through generations, leaving their mark on both fashion and collective memory. And at MONPIEL, we are passionate about such elegant footwear. Visit our catalog and fall in love like we did!
