Horsehair Mary Jane Flats
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Mixed horsehair, cowhide base · Jet, Garnet
The Horsehair Mary Jane Flats are flat with a round toe, in mixed horsehair with a cowhide base, bound at the opening in a smooth edge of the shoe’s own colour and crossed at the instep by one thin strap, with no buckle or hardware. Jet sits with everything dark; Garnet is the one note of colour.
Fabric
Upper: mixed horsehair, imported
- Fine hair with a sheen
Base: cowhide
Design
- Flat, with a round toe
- One thin dark strap across the instep, with no buckle or hardware
- Opening bound in a smooth edge in the shoe’s own colour
- Smooth insole
Colour
Jet: black, with some brown mottling in the hair · Garnet: a deep wine red. (Screen and lighting may vary.)
Size & fit (inches)
Standard sizing: order your usual size. The foot length each size fits:
| Size | Foot length |
|---|---|
| 35 | 8.7″ to 8.9″ |
| 36 | 8.9″ to 9.1″ |
| 37 | 9.1″ to 9.3″ |
| 38 | 9.3″ to 9.4″ |
| 39 | 9.5″ to 9.6″ |
| 40 | 9.7″ to 9.8″ |
Measure your foot in the afternoon, when feet swell a little. With a wide forefoot, a bunion or a longer second toe, go up one size; with a narrow foot, go down one.
Care
Keep them away from water, strong sun and sharp edges, and store them away from damp to guard against mould; the leather should not get wet. Some shedding with wear is normal for hair-on materials, and colour or sheen can wear where the shoe rubs. They are dyed inside and out, so with a dark interior, darker socks are the safer choice.
Garnet under black trousers and a leather jacket, Jet under a cashmere dress: a flat shoe you’ll reach for until it’s yours.
Materials & Care
Every Aelse piece begins with the material. We work in leather tanned to soften with wear, suede, cashmere, wool and alpaca chosen for the hand, silk, linen and ramie that breathe, and slow beauty made from botanicals. Natural where it can be, considered where it can't — chosen to last and to be kept.
Made to Order Policy
Made-to-order work is created with care, intention, and mutual trust.
If a return is requested, the item must be returned and received in its original condition before a refund is issued. Refunds cannot be processed while an item remains with the client.
To protect the integrity of our custom process, future commissions are offered at our discretion.
Size & Fit Info
Want the perfect fit?
Before checkout, add size info in the cart and enter your bust, waist, hips, height, and weight. We’ll personally review your measurements before shipping to ensure every piece fits beautifully—because when it fits, it flatters. And when it flatters, it lasts.
Choose options
Mixed horsehair, cowhide base · Jet, Garnet The Horsehair Mary Jane Flats are flat with a round toe, in mixed horsehair with a cowhide base, bound at the opening in a smooth edge of the shoe’s own colour and crossed at the instep by one thin strap, with no buckle or hardware.
What women keep telling us
Worn, and not let go of
“Warm as a blanket, looks like the runway. Highly recommend.”
“Threw a blazer on at JFK, walked into a client meeting. No wrinkles. New travel uniform.”
“The quality and cut is out of this world. I'm always getting compliments.”
Small batches. Scarce fabrics.
The Aelse Difference
Every Aelse piece is created in small batches — shaped by careful hands, scarce fabrics, and techniques that honor where they come from. Clothing that stays with you through shifting seasons, restless cities, and the many versions of you.
Longevity before novelty
Aelse is not priced for impulse. It is priced for women who choose with intention.
Pieces that learn you
Leather that softens, knits that settle, fabrics that remember your touch. A piece becomes yours because it stays long enough to hold your story.
Minimal waste, meaningful production
Some pieces are crafted on demand. This lowers excess, avoids landfill cycles, and protects the integrity of our makers.
For women who move — through cities, seasons, and selves. Who repair what they love, and understand that longevity is its own kind of luxury.
A considered timeline
Because our pieces are made slowly, some orders take a little longer. A few weeks now means years of wear later.
Small-batch quality
We work with ateliers, cultural partners, and independent makers who specialize in long-lasting craft.
A fit made for you
Share your measurements at checkout — we tailor our recommendations to reduce returns and ensure a piece you'll keep.
Scarcity with honesty
When fabrics and materials run out, we don't replace them. Some pieces won't return.
Questions, answered
What are Mary Jane shoes?
A Mary Jane is a shoe with a strap across the instep. This pair is flat, with a round toe, in mixed horsehair with a cowhide base, and its one thin strap has no buckle or hardware.
What size Mary Jane flats should I get?
Order your usual size: these follow standard sizing, 35 to 40. By foot length, a 35 fits 8.7 to 8.9 in and a 40 fits 9.7 to 9.8 in; the full chart is under Size & fit. Measure in the afternoon, when feet swell a little. With a wide forefoot, a bunion or a longer second toe, go up one size; with a narrow foot, go down one.
How do you care for horsehair shoes?
Keep them away from water, strong sun and sharp edges, and store them away from damp to guard against mould; the leather should not get wet. Some shedding with wear is normal for hair-on materials, and colour or sheen can wear where the shoe rubs.
What do you wear with Mary Jane shoes?
Keep the rest quiet and let the shoe show: the Garnet pair as the one note of colour under black cashmere trousers and a leather jacket, or the Jet pair under a cashmere dress or with cream.
Where do you buy Mary Jane shoes?
At Aelse. These are flat Mary Janes in mixed horsehair with a cowhide base, in Jet or Garnet, sizes 35 to 40.
Need help?
Frequently Asked Questions
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Made slowly, handled with care.
At Aelse, every piece is crafted to stay — chosen with intention, meant to be worn deeply and loved for years. But if something isn’t quite right, we promise to make it right. You can access our return policy here.
You may reach us at hello@aelse.shop.
We ship almost everywhere.
Our small-batch pieces and artisan finds travel safely across continents — from our hands to your home. If your country isn’t listed at checkout, please reach out via chat or our contact form and we’ll make it happen.
Good things take time.
In-stock pieces typically arrive within 5–10 business days. Made-to-order garments and artisan items may take longer — up to 21 days — and each piece’s timeline is listed on its product page.
Because our work comes from different makers around the world, your order may arrive in separate packages, each dispatched as soon as it’s ready.
If timing matters, message us anytime. We’ll always be transparent and help guide you.
Thoughtful fit is part of thoughtful service.
To help ensure your piece fits beautifully, add your bust, waist, hips, height, weight, and any notes (like “prefer oversized” or “one size up on the bomber”) in the cart drawer or cart page before checkout.
Our team reviews every detail before shipment — because confidence should never need adjustment.
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