How to Style Mary Janes and Ballet Pumps

The humble ballet pump is now firmly back as everyone’s favourite footwear go-to. Adopted by style icons such as Brigette Bardot and Audrey Hepburn, ballet pumps have a rich style heritage.

You can’t have failed to notice that Mary Janes have become the must-have footwear style of 2025, appearing everywhere from the catwalk to influencers’ style feeds. This elevated take on the ballet flat has the addition of an iconic Mary Jane-style strap, often in velvet or leather. Our black studded flats, seen on Instagram star Prunella Poppy (@prunella_poppy), will take you from parties to dressed-up brunches, adding impact to pretty much any Mary Jane outfit. They also come in a fresh white shade to complement pastel outfits.

Ideal for city chic, woven ballet pumps also have our pulses racing – wear with your favourite double denim outfit for a sleek finish. We love these slip-on flats that feature a striking woven design to add interest to everyday outfits.

Look out for flat shoes featuring fashion-forward details such as studs, mesh or metal hardware to bring the trend firmly into 2025 territory. You heard it here first: jelly shoes are set to make a splash this summer.

Slight chill in the air? Knowing how to wear Mary Janes with socks gives the shoe year-round appeal. Playful patterned socks add a hint of personality, and colour-block socks look intentional when peeking out from under cropped jeans. Still struggling? Make pairing ballet flats with socks ultra-easy with low-cut footsies – think maximum comfort, minimum visibility.