I Wore the Trending Marc Jacobs Doll Shoes in New York—Here’s My Genuine Review (and Loads of Photos)

      I aspire to be a Marc Jacobs doll—quite literally. The designer has showcased models on the runway in blazers and skirts with exaggerated puffed proportions, complemented by whimsical shoes that resemble those of a Barbie, only larger. Their eyes are adorned with shimmering eye shadow that gleams like wax, and their lashes are so thin they seem painted on. In the photos, each model stands perfectly still, limbs firmly planted, like they're poised to be cut out from a magazine and dressed in paper outfits. This aesthetic was first presented on the spring and fall 2024 runways and reappeared for spring 2025.

      Typically, I see something on the runway and immediately desire it, but it generally relates to adapting beautiful items to fit the wardrobe I already have. These Marc Jacobs presentations felt different. I wanted to transform into the doll. I longed to carry an oversized bag that seemed like it was created in Photoshop. I wished to fasten a blazer with buttons larger than my hand. I envisioned stomping around the city in playful doll shoes.

      Fortunately, my wish came true with the launch of the aptly named Doll Pump. These shoes debuted on the fall 2024 runway, featuring a Mary Jane style with exaggerated, whimsical proportions, reminiscent of Minnie Mouse and Betty Boop. Before I understood the impact of a great shoe, these were akin to the doodles of footwear I created as a child. Marc Jacobs's version includes a large gold statement-buckle closure, which adds to its fanciful charm.

      When I stepped into the Marc Jacobs store to buy a pair, the sales associate told me she had recently purchased some for herself. The size 40 I bought was the last pair left. "I was surprised that people weren’t buying them much when they first arrived," she shared. "But we’ve seen many girls coming in for them ahead of the fall." I remarked that everyone wants to embody a doll this autumn, and she agreed, "I guess so!"

      I decided to embrace a full Minnie Mouse theme for my first look in the doll pumps, pairing them with a black mini Miu Miu dress adorned with red flowers. These shoes practically require a leg pop at all times. But honestly, after a summer devoid of a song of the summer, just one year after the chaotic fun of Brat summer, I feel the urge to dissociate. Everyone I know feels similarly. I want to dress like a doll to experience the stillness of being inanimate. I dream of being locked in a toy chest, blissfully unaware of the world outside.

      Yet, that's unattainable. So, I settle for dressing like a doll instead, wearing amusing doll pumps that bring me joy not by masking all that’s happening in the world, but by giving me something to smile at each time I glance at my feet. The pointed tips remind me of my younger self sketching the sharpest point of a shoe in the margins of my English class notes.

      What I love most about the doll pumps is how well they pair with... everything? Including a recently thrifted top and my favorite silk Roberto Cavalli skirt. The heel's side profile is so delightful that I found myself frequently twirling. Once again... the doll pumps call for a hip pop.

      Fun shoes always make me laugh and want to kick my feet, but not all provide comfort. Thankfully, the Marc Jacobs doll pumps bring both mental and physical bliss. They don’t cause blisters, don't squeeze my toes, and don’t even feel like heels at all. I believe it's the exaggerated proportions that allow for more flexibility, unlike the slim, strappy silhouette of typical heels that tend to make my feet feel constrained. Instead, the doll pumps provide a sense of freedom. I used to feel pity for Minnie Mouse, thinking she was trapped in heels forever. But now I see why she always appeared so joyful. The pressures of being a woman are somewhat eased when wearing cartoonish pumps that are easy to walk in.

      I was curious to see how the pumps would look with fun socks, and the outcome was delightful. I chose a chunky pair of baby blue socks to complement my Eckhaus Latta snap bag in a similar hue and my Starface pimple patch. Strutting in heels was my primary goal for these pumps. I possess many kitten heels but lack a proper pair of pumps for dressier occasions. Typical sexy pumps never felt suitable. I desired something that was less businesslike with a touch of humor. Something that would pair well with an evening dress yet wouldn’t take itself too seriously. The doll pumps delivered that.

      I had concerns about how they would perform on uneven New York sidewalks, but they proved durable and ready for anything. I found myself giggling while having dinner in them, positioning my shoes next to a standard-sized chair since on the first runway the Marc Jacobs doll premiered, models in the doll pumps stood beneath an oversized folding chair.

      I also wanted to test how