Queen Letizia Rewears Sézane Mary Janes as the Mary Jane Shoe Trend Soars

When a royal embraces a classic, the trend gets instant staying power. Queen Letizia did exactly that in Salamanca this week, stepping out for World Cancer Research Day in a pair of glossy, black **Sézane Paula Babies** slingbacks. The effect was effortless: modern polish with a whisper of retro charm. For those of us who love style that moves gracefully from campus ceremonies to city dinners, this look is a masterclass.

Queen Letizia’s Polished Slingback Moment

The Queen of Spain reached for a proven favorite: **Sézane’s Paula Babies**. The silhouette delivers that refined, Paris-meets-Madrid sensibility—sleek, wearable, and quietly elevated. It’s the kind of shoe that makes even the simplest tailoring feel considered.

Queen Letizia in glossy black Sézane slingback mary janes during World Cancer Research Day in Salamanca, Spain. Europa Press via Getty Images

The Details We’re Bookmarking

Shaped with a rounded toe and twin buckle straps, the **slingback** finish keeps everything light and chic. The two-inch block heel—covered in matching patent—adds a subtle lift without sacrificing comfort. Light gold-toned buckles bring a hint of glow, never tipping into overt embellishment.

A Royal Favorite With Real-World Appeal

This isn’t a one-off. Letizia first debuted the Paula Babies earlier this summer and has been styling them with sleek separates ever since. Priced at $215 and crafted in the brand’s Portuguese ateliers, the **mary jane** has become a surprisingly accessible royal staple.

It also lives where Sézane shines: that intersection of **retro-coded design** and everyday ease. No wonder it’s a bestseller across colorways, from soft pink to playful leopard.

Close-up of Queen Letizia's Sézane Paula Babies slingback Mary Janes in glossy black. — A closer look at the glossy black slingback mary janes—polished, not precious. Manuel Angel Laya/Europa Press via Getty Images

Styling Notes From Salamanca

For Tuesday’s appearance, the queen paired the lifted mary janes with slim black trousers and a cream tweed **Massimo Dutti** jacket. Belted at the waist and trimmed with gold buttons, the jacket brought soft structure and quiet luxury.

She kept accessories minimal and wore her hair down—another reminder that restraint often reads as the most refined choice.

Why Mary Janes Are Having a Major Moment

The mary jane’s resurgence isn’t just nostalgic—it’s functional fashion with a flirtatious edge. Designers and celebrities are leaning in, remixing the shape from runway to street.

Hoka’s upcoming Bondi mary jane introduces a performance-forward, sneaker-hybrid take—arriving Oct. 1 after its NYFW debut.
Rihanna recently stepped out in **Miu Miu’s cap-toe** pair, a block-heeled style finished with a chain-wrapped strap and pearly detail.

Letizia’s **block-heeled mary janes** land squarely in this fall’s shift toward structured, closed-toe silhouettes—echoing the best of the 1950s and 1990s, but firmly tuned to 2025.

Sézane Paula Babies slingback Mary Janes in black patent leather, $215. — **Sézane Paula Babies** in black patent, $215—timeless with a modern lift. Sézane

How to Wear the Trend Now

Pair black patent mary janes with cropped tailoring to spotlight the ankle and the slingback line.
Balance a feminine skirt or tweed jacket with the sturdiness of a block heel for day-to-night ease.
Keep beauty polished: think a soft liner, brushed brows, and a diffused nude or classic red lip for a clean, luxe finish.

The Takeaway

Queen Letizia’s look proves that the right shoe does more than complete an outfit—it sets the tone. A sleek **mary jane slingback** offers refinement you can feel with every step, from meetings to evenings out.

If you’re curating a fall wardrobe with longevity, consider this your sign to add a pair. And make it glossy.

Ready to elevate your everyday? Try the mary jane your way—tailored, tweed, or a touch of leopard—and share your look with us. I’d love to see how you make this classic your own.