Queues in the shoe section are not unusual this time of year as parents grapple with the back to school shopping list. However, this month it is not just the children’s floor that is experiencing greater footfall. Womenswear brands are reporting a surge in demand for Mary Janes too, as grownups revert to buying the classic playground style.
At John Lewis, there is an 800-strong (and growing) waiting list for the restock of a £59 pair of flat leather Mary Janes. Called the Harrietta, the shoes first launched in 2022. But sales have had triple-digit growth in recent weeks with the black and cream colourways sold out.
