All grown up

Being relatively petite in size, I often get mistaken for someone much younger than myself.  I work for a  nonprofit that also employs many college students, so "Are you a student?" is a question I get a lot.  To counteract that, I tend to stay away from girlish details on my clothes, which I'm starting to rethink.  One of those things that I've been scared to try for a while are Mary Janes.

Once a staple in my high-school dressy wardrobe (for church and piano recitals), Mary Janes have generally worn out their welcome in my closet.  I have one pair of patent leather t-straps that my mom got me when I was 19.  They still fit and are still comfortable, but I don't really wear them that often, since they are a bit young looking.  Mary Janes have come a long way from those sweet little girl versions.  To me, Mary Janes are closed-toe shoes with an ankle strap, sometimes also with a t-strap.  Once the toes peep out, I generally consider them strappy sandals.

Here are some of my favorite grown-up Mary Janes:

Clockwise from top left: Lumiani Janie, BCBGeneration Fedro, Seychelles Veronica, Naturalizer Beacon, Naturalizer Vamoose

Mary Janes are versatile--they work well with pants and skirts.  I'm especially loving the chunky-heeled t-straps above...would love to pair one of those with my khaki pencil skirt for a breezy summer look that's ladylike for the office but fun enough for a lunch with friends.

What are you preferred Mary Janes and how do you wear them?