Fashion journalist Tasnim Ahmed, in a recent interview with Marie Claire magazine, said the best Mary Jane flats are “the shoes favored by fashion freaks and darlings for decades.” The queen of Generation Z styling and Olivia Rodrigo, the queen of Gen Z styling and pioneer of viral-it accessories like Coach's Curve Zip Bag, should be added to the list right next to Twiggy, Jane Birkin, and Alexa Chung.

Olivia Rodrigo has been running through her Guts World Tour in thick-soled Mary Janes and combat boots from Dr. Martens and a custom Victoria's Secret tank top and exposed bra straps. But during a Today interview in Sydney, Australia, on October 17, the “Vampire” singer put a twist on the mary jane's trend, which is more primitive than punk. She was interviewed wearing a red cable-knit sweater, tiny leather shorts, and square-toed mary janes by Mansur Gavriel. (Like Generation Z, she paired them with tiny white ankle socks.)

The mary jane trend has taken on many different lives in the 2020s, from Alaia's It Girl-esque studded flat shoes to the ballet styles of Sandy Liang and Reformation. Olivia Rodrigo's Best Mary Janes are going to heal the generational style divide and solve every fall wardrobe dilemma I've ever faced. It's a versatile shoe in black leather, but with a black swan-like pointe toe box, it's totally current. Pair it with a pair of slightly hot shorts, and you've got the Riot Girl brand of Rodrigo. But older millennials (hi!) will be able to wear them if they want to pair them with a Hill House Home dress or their favorite fall denim trend.

Rodrigo was not done setting a new style agenda with the shoes she wore on October 17. Later that same day, she changed into a corset mini-dress with a sheer bodice and paired it with a leather shoulder bag. This style also belonged to Mansur Gavriel.

I come from a style generation that knows the brand from its bucket bags. But if Rodrigo says petite shoulder style is in season, I'm paying attention. With this Grammy-winning touch, this bag could be the next Coach Brooklyn.