In May 2016, Emma Roberts arrived at Los Angeles International Airport carrying a notable remnant of the Met Gala held the night before.
The actress landed at LAX with her intricate gala updo still intact, contrasting the formal hairstyle with a practical travel ensemble that highlighted her choice of footwear.
Emma Roberts shows off her Met Gala braids from the night before as she arrives at Los Angeles International Airport on May 3, 2016 (Credit: WENN)
Emma transitioned from her Tory Burch gown into a polka-dotted sweater by Chris by Christopher Bu and cropped jeans from Mother.
Emma Roberts pairs a polka-dot Chris by Christopher Bu sweater with slightly flared Mother Insider crop jeans, grounding the look with rich red velvet Tabitha Simmons “Hermione” flats that add a refined, feminine finish
The actress grounded her off-duty look with oversized Perverse sunglasses and an Anya Hindmarch smiley-face backpack.
She finished the ensemble with Tabitha Simmons’ “Hermione” flats—a cult-classic Mary Jane first introduced around 2015. Defined by a sharp pointed toe, a delicate strap, and a barely-there hidden heel, the design brings a polished, dressed-up ease even to casual denim.
A few days earlier, she styled her Tabitha Simmons “Hermione” flats with the same jeans, a plain white shirt, a leather jacket from Tory Burch, and a Proenza Schouler leather lunch shoulder bag.
Emma Roberts steps out in red velvet Tabitha Simmons “Hermione” flats, the pointed-toe silhouette and delicate Mary Jane strap giving the rich texture a polished, quietly dressy finish
Emma kept her intricate braids from the night before, carrying over the Met Gala’s high-glam energy into her otherwise relaxed airport look. The updo remained striking in daylight, adding an unexpected polish to her travel ensemble.
Take a closer look at the braids as they were originally styled for the evening below.
Emma Roberts shows off her gorgeous braided updo on Met Gala night (Credit: Emma Roberts’ Instagram)
Why Mary Jane Flats Still Feel Effortlessly Relevant
Emma Roberts’ velvet Tabitha Simmons flats underscore why the Mary Jane continues to hold its place as a modern wardrobe essential. With its signature strap, refined silhouette, and ability to shift seamlessly from casual denim to more polished looks, the style offers a rare balance of comfort and quiet sophistication. Whether rendered in classic leather, rich velvet, or textured fabric, it remains one of fashion’s most versatile—and enduring—flat shoe choices.
Explore more ways celebrities and designers are reinterpreting the Mary Jane flat below.
👠 Explore Mary Jane Flat Style Stories:
- 📚 The inspiring story of Mary Jane shoes is a strong evergreen starting point, tracing the silhouette’s history and explaining why this strap-across-the-foot classic still feels relevant today.
- 🩰 This guide to different Mary Jane styles breaks down the category in a useful, fashion-first way, including sleek point-toe flats and other modern interpretations of the silhouette.
- ✨ Katie Holmes’ gold Mary Jane flats with socks offer a more directional take, proving the silhouette can lean preppy, festive, and fashion-forward all at once.
- 🤍 Her white A.P.C. Mary Jane flats styled with black socks make a strong case for contrast styling, with the flat silhouette standing out through cropped denim and winter layers.
- 🌾 Shailene Woodley’s raffia Mary Jane flats bring in a softer, spring-ready angle, showing how woven texture and double straps can give flat Mary Janes an easy bohemian feel.