A Mary Jane strap should help hold the shoe in place without digging into the top of your foot. If loosening it removes pressure but leaves the shoe unstable, the overall shape or size may be unsuitable. Tightening a strap cannot correct a toe box that is too short or narrow.

This guide focuses on women's double-strap Mary Jane flats and uses Country Maddox Tan Double Buckle Ballerina Flats BL 05 as the example. The current listing identifies two straps with metal buckle fastenings, a plain rounded toe and a low-profile sole. The two photos below show this same women's style from different angles.

Separate strap fit from shoe fit

First put your heel comfortably into the back of the shoe before fastening either strap. Your toes should not be curled or pressed against the front. The sides should not squeeze while you stand normally. Check both feet rather than assuming that a comfortable fit on one side settles the decision.

Then fasten the straps using their existing holes. The aim is contact that feels secure during ordinary movement, without needing to pull the straps hard. Our heel-slipping fit checklist explains why excessive movement can have several causes. A tighter fastening is only useful when the underlying shoe fit is already appropriate.

What to inspect on a double-strap style

The Country Maddox Tan BL 05 double-buckle flats have two separate buckles. Look at each strap rather than fastening both to an identical hole by habit. Their positions cross different parts of the foot, so the same adjustment may not feel equally comfortable in both places.

Keep each strap flat. A twisted edge can create a concentrated point of pressure and also hide how the strap actually sits. Make sure the buckle pin is seated in the intended hole and the strap end is secured as designed. If a fastening cannot be used normally, stop and ask the retailer about it rather than forcing the hardware.

A short indoor fitting routine

• Try both shoes on a clean indoor surface, following the retailer's current trial conditions.

• Use the socks or hosiery you intend to wear with them.

• Start with a comfortable existing strap setting and stand with weight on both feet.

• Walk normally, turn and sit down, noticing pressure at the straps, toes and heel.

• Adjust one strap at a time so you can tell which change helps.

• Repeat on the other foot and reassess the complete fit.

If you plan to wear foot liners, use them during the fitting rather than adding them later. A liner changes the space inside the shoe. Our no-show socks and flats guide covers coverage and fit considerations, including checking that a liner stays in position.

Read the signs instead of overtightening

What you notice — What to check next

One strap presses while the other feels comfortable — Adjust that strap independently and check it lies flat

Toes touch the front — Reassess shoe length; strap adjustment will not add toe space

The heel lifts substantially when walking — Check overall size and shape before tightening further

Comfort requires the loosest hole but pressure remains — Consider a different fit rather than forcing more adjustment

A rounded toe describes the outline, not a guaranteed width. Likewise, two straps describe the fastening arrangement, not a promise that the shoe will suit every instep. Product photographs cannot establish how much room you personally need. If pressure or discomfort persists, stop wearing the pair rather than relying on it to stretch into a suitable fit.

Keep the fit consistent when styling

Once you have found a comfortable setting, recheck it when switching from bare feet to hosiery or changing the thickness of your socks. Do not assume a previously comfortable hole remains the right choice with every outfit. If a trouser hem catches a buckle as you walk, address the hem or outfit combination instead of tightening the shoe.

For clothing ideas after the fit is settled, see our Mary Jane flats work and weekend guide. Styling choices should leave the fastening accessible and the foot comfortable; a neat appearance is not a reason to tolerate pressure.

Frequently asked questions

Should both straps use the same buckle hole?

Not necessarily. Check each strap separately. The useful setting is the one that holds comfortably at its position without pressure.

Can tighter straps fix an oversized Mary Jane flat?

They may reduce some movement, but they cannot reliably correct an unsuitable shoe size or shape. Check length, width and heel movement together.

Should I add another hole myself?

Ask Country Maddox or a qualified repair professional first. Avoid altering a new pair before checking the current retailer guidance and whether the fit is suitable.

Does the BL 05 listing confirm leather or medical support?

No such material or medical claim is established by the current details used here. This is a practical fitting guide, not a guarantee of individual comfort.