Mary Jane Sneakers Are the New Go-To Travel Shoe

Travel shoes often disappoint: the chic flat starts rubbing, and the chunky sneaker feels too casual for a sundress. The Mary Jane sneaker aims to fix that.

The formula is simple: a low-slung ballet-flat shape with sneaker-level sole support, plus the signature Mary Jane strap that instantly dresses it up. Some versions look barely different from a classic flat; others come in technical mesh with chunky tread or cushioned insoles.

The style's name traces back to Mary Jane, a character in Richard Felton Outcault's Buster Brown comic strip, which debuted in 1902. She often wore the strap-secured shoe, which became a practical choice for children and later a fashion staple for women, cycling through patent leather, ballet flats, platforms, and more.

Fashion has spent years making sneakers less athletic-looking, from slim retro trainers to ballet sneakers. Even brands like Salomon and Merrell have experimented with street-leaning shapes. The Mary Jane sneaker pushes that further: sneaker practicality without an outfit built solely around comfort.

They are also easy to pack. Low-profile styles slip into a spare corner of a suitcase instead of eating space like a bulky sneaker. Wear them on the flight and they can become your main walking shoe, or pack them for outfits that need extra polish without risking blisters.