The most direct contemporary literary reference is the novel by Jessica Anya Blau.
: Their popularity surged during WWII; in 1943, they became a "must-have" item when leather rationing limited shoe purchases to only three pairs per year. Music and Slang: "Mary Jane" and Counterculture
: Reviewers often compare it to Almost Famous or Daisy Jones & The Six for its retro, music-filled atmosphere. Fashion: The Timeless Mary Jane Shoe maryjane 18eighteen
: Set in 1970s Baltimore, it follows 14-year-old Mary Jane, a straight-laced girl from a conservative family who takes a summer job nannying for a progressive family.
: Once seen as juvenile or "schoolgirl" attire, they have been reinvented as a professional and "vintage chic" staple for adults. The most direct contemporary literary reference is the
"Mary Jane" has long been used as a slang term for , derived from the Spanish word marijuana .
: It is a classic coming-of-age story that explores the "beauty in imperfections". While the character is 14, the book is often discussed in the context of young adulthood and the transition toward the independence of being eighteen. Fashion: The Timeless Mary Jane Shoe : Set
: Modern fashion enthusiasts often pair them with mini skirts, cigarette pants, or even "old lady" aesthetic cardigans to create a sophisticated, street-style look.