Shoe History: The Mary Jane
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- Created on Wednesday, 01 August 2012 12:58
- Written by Yosa Addiss
Mary Janes
According to Wikipedia:
Mary Jane is an American term (formerly trademarked) 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, have one thin strap fastened with a buckle or button, a broad and rounded toebox, low heels, and thin outsoles. Among girls, Mary Janes are traditionally worn with pantyhose or 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.
A closed, low-cut shoe with an instep strap has been the shoe of Kings! KINGS! (sorry, love that!) King Henry VIII, and a couple of French kings wore the style, as well as the style being in use in Imperial China.
Here is King Henry VIII:
But why are they called Mary Janes? When did that start?
The name comes from the shoes worn by Mary Jane, a character from the Buster Brown comic strip (drawn by R F Outcault) which first appeared in the New York Herald in 1902. Little girls everywhere clamoured for them, and until the late Fifties they were a must-have style for both boys and girls. (source)
Now, though, it is also a baby shoe or girls shoe- and a popular style for women's shoes. I tend to think of it as a comfort shoe first, as slip on and padded inserts are features on many. As comfort shoes go, I would far rather a pair of maryjanes than lime green plastic Crocs.
Here are two, both under $75:
For example, I like this one for an errand running/yard shoe: for the reference to sneakers, the comfort factor, and the ease of a fabric shoe.
Here is another- easy as pie, comfy and not a shoe I would be embarrassed to be seen in:
The Mary Jane has fashion in mind as well:
This one (above) has a classic look in black patent, a bow that manages to not be too twee, a square heel for interest and a really interesting strap. I like the low strap- it is just a bit unusual, bringing the shoe from normal into distinctive. Nice!
I keep returning to this one, too:
I have seen so many nude heels on the red carpet this year, and I am not sure it is a trend for me. This one looks *richer* to me, like the just-right accessory to go with that bracelet and the little black dress. It also has only a 3.5 inch heel, meaning it is more wearable than a 5 inch spike heel would be; and with the mary jane strap, I would feel confident running across the street to catch a cab. In a row of black patent heels, I would pick this one out of the line up for the night out, would you?
Cheap Chic Weddings Toilet Paper Wedding Contest 2012
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- Created on Monday, 02 July 2012 17:26
- Written by Yosa Addiss
I have heard about Duct Tape prom dresses and even tuxes too- but this one is new to me:
Cheap Chic Weddings Toilet Paper Wedding Contest 2012
And here is the winner:
Susan - Winnder of the Tiolet Paper dress contest.
What strikes me is these gowns are actually pretty great! I can imaging ways to make a bodice, but the skirts! Out of Toilet paper! And these gowns have been modeled, too- which means they are structured enough to survive a wearing. So much fun :-)
Corsets on the Outside
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- Created on Tuesday, 20 March 2012 19:26
- Written by Yosa Addiss
A young Maria Fyodorovna, mother of tsar Nicholas II of Russia, posing with one oh her pets. (via)
I love the look of an underbust corset worn over a blouse and skirt.
But- is it period? Meaning, is there any historic evidence that corsets were worn that way prior to the last 30 years?
Maybe. This photo is one of the earliest examples of an under bust corset shown on the outside that I have seen. It is also almost a perfect photo reference to a gown I designed a few years before I saw this image for the first time: The Fairy Princess Wedding Gown. This image is from the 1850s, as worn by the mother of the tsar of Russia. If a woman of that stature was wearing the look you can be assured that others were as well.
Interesting details to note about the gown in this photo:
It looks like the corset buttons down the front, or possibly hooks and eyes. The corset on the outside was most likely entirely decorative- the figure shaping of her outfit was most likely being done by wearing a corset underneath.
Can it be your renaissance wedding gown? That depends on how accurate to the time do you want to be. (it is off the shoulder and all... Using the Fairy Princess Wedding Gown as a starting point, with the right choice of fabrics and colors it could blend in well at most festivals or fairs. Scottish? Use a white top, primary color corset, and plaid skirt and there you are! Add some flourishes and accoutrements and you are ready to go.
Clay Fillings in Fabric?
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- Created on Monday, 12 March 2012 13:14
- Written by Yosa Addiss
Here is one of the more interesting vintage advertisements I have ever seen- because of one notable detail. Clay Fillings in Fabric?
Look at the bottom, with the list of features...
1. Pure Materials- no clay fillings.
Now, does that mean that fabric would be made with clay in it, to make the fabric look sturdier? I have never heard of such a thing! Wow!
Perhaps clay would be used in a watered down state as a colorant for the fabric, or a finshing technique to make the fabric shiny? Either way, I have never heard of such a thing. Have you? Email me if you have, I would love to learn more about this!
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