Quick answer

Choose The Hummingbird Mary Jane if you want a secure strap and a lighter, airier feel for dresses and creative casual outfits; choose The Starling loafer if you prefer slip-on ease and a slightly more polished, closed-up look for trousers and office days. Both use the same breathable two-tone Italian raffia, so the real decision is closure style and how you dress.

The shared foundation: same raffia, different silhouette

Both shoes are made from two-tone striped raffia woven by artisans in the Tuscan Hills of Italy, lined with clean twill for a crisp, breathable finish. That means the material question is settled before you compare shapes: you are not choosing between better and worse raffia, but between a Mary Jane and a loafer built on the same fabric.

The difference is in how they hold your foot. The Hummingbird uses a Mary Jane strap; The Starling is a slip-on loafer. That single design choice changes how secure the shoe feels, how quickly you can put it on, and which outfits it naturally complements.

Where the Mary Jane pulls ahead

A strap gives you a more locked-in feel, which matters if you are walking on uneven pavement, chasing a toddler, or simply prefer not to think about your shoes mid-stride. The Hummingbird's lighter, airier construction also suits warm days when you want minimal coverage.

Styling-wise, the strap reads more playful and feminine. It pairs naturally with dresses, skirts, and cropped trousers, and the black-and-off-white stripe adds graphic interest without demanding a matching bag.

Where the loafer pulls ahead

The Starling's slip-on design is faster to wear and reads slightly more tailored. If your wardrobe leans toward trousers, blazers, or smart-casual office wear, the loafer shape blends in more easily than a strapped Mary Jane.

The trade-off is less adjustability: without a strap, the fit depends entirely on the upper and your foot shape. If you have a narrow heel or a high instep, try the loafer carefully before committing to a long day in it.

What the catalog does not tell you

The supplied product details do not list width options, heel height, or sole composition for either style. If any of those matter to you, treat them as open questions and check the product pages or contact Birdies before ordering rather than assuming.

Both styles are available by size only, so there is no width choice to fall back on. That makes getting the size right more important than usual.

Trade-offs to weigh before you choose

  • Security vs. speed: The Hummingbird's strap holds your foot more securely; The Starling slips on faster but relies on fit alone. If you are on your feet and moving all day, the strap is the safer bet; if you are in and out of the house, the loafer wins. Decide which you value more on a typical day: locked-in feel or quick on-and-off.
  • Dress code range: The loafer reads more polished and works with trousers and office wear; the Mary Jane reads more playful and works with dresses and skirts. Neither is formal, but the loafer is the more versatile choice for a business-casual wardrobe.
  • Fit risk: With no width options listed and a strap-free design, The Starling carries more fit uncertainty for narrow heels or high insteps. The Hummingbird's strap gives you a little more forgiveness. If you are between sizes or have a tricky fit, lean toward the Mary Jane or order both to compare.

Product facts at a glance

Who should pick which

Best for

  • Anyone who wants a secure strap and a lighter, airier feel for warm-weather dresses and creative casual outfits
  • Shoppers with a narrow heel or high instep who want a little more adjustability
  • Those building a playful, graphic look around black-and-off-white stripes

Not for

  • People who want a fast slip-on shoe for busy mornings
  • A wardrobe built mainly around tailored trousers and business-casual office wear
  • Shoppers who need confirmed width options, since only sizes are listed