Mary Beth Barone Owns The Stage By Wearing Whatever She Wants

Mary Beth Barone’s presence as a comedian is such that, after listening to her on a podcast or sitting through her stand-up, you think you’re best friends with her. Her material is intimately relatable, undercut by a sharp, sometimes dark, wit. It’s exciting, then, to see her decked in Marc Jacobs’ latest collection – a designer who’s always had a knack for effortless edge and humor. Exciting especially for Mary Beth, who’s idolized Marc Jacobs since her teenage years. Early on in her sartorial history (right after she was liberated from the redundancy of the Catholic School uniform), Barone played with color indulgently and understood fashion as an outlet for self expression. Owning her look and having fun with it, most importantly, was and remains core to her personal style on and off the stage.

Similarly, the bags designed for the Marc Jacobs Spring 2022 collection are guided by the notion that art and color have the power to influence both the inner soul and the outer world. Anyone can tote a bright, bold accessory – but when that’s galvanized with a nurtured inner soul, you really bathe in the glow. And that’s exactly what it feels like to be in Barone’s audience.

Brynn Wallner: How do you typically decide what to wear while performing?

Mary Beth Barone: If I’m doing other people’s shows, I don’t put as much pressure on myself, so lately I’ve been doing a much more chill and low-key vibe. But when it comes to my own shows – like Mary Beth and Friends or my hour set – I really did back myself into a corner. I started off wearing big looks for those shows, so I have to stay on that level and make sure that I’m delivering for my girlies. I have fun with it, though! What I keep in the back of my mind is that, if a singer can wear that during a concert, then why can’t I? Why can’t I wear a tweed two-piece with high waisted short shorts?

BW: Nothing’s stopping you! You set the bar high, so you have to live up to it.

MBB: I guess I sort of did it on purpose. Because now I can justify shopping… like, no, I have to buy this because it’s for a show. It’s part of the job description.

BW: You’re in New York, right?

MBB: I’m in New York! I am so happy to be back.

BW: Where did you move from?

MBB: I was in the West Village when the pandemic happened. I moved in with my parents in Connecticut, where I spent the first intense lockdown period. Then, I fell in love with a British person, so I was flying to London, then coming back to Connecticut and staying with friends to do shows here in the city. I was all over the place, which was fun for a bit, but then I got homesick for a place I didn’t even know yet. I just moved into a little studio in Williamsburg, and it’s the perfect amount of space.

BW: So your first official tour date is here in New York, right?

MBB: Yes, in two days at the Bell House. It’s Mary Beth and Friends, which is a show I host. I have some very funny people coming on to do sets, and the Bell House is a great venue. It’s really big, and when it’s full, it’s such a fun place to perform, so I’m really excited.

BW: It’s a big “Welcome Back, Mary Beth!” moment.

MBB: Exactly, it’s my debutante ball.

“I started off wearing big looks for shows, so I have to stay on that level…make sure I'm delivering for my girlies.”

BW: How old are you?

MBB: I’m 30.

BW: Okay, we’re the same age. I remember being so obsessed with Marc Jacobs and NYLON when I was in high school. Did you feel the same way?

MBB: I mean, words can’t even express. I saved up babysitting money to buy a Marc by Marc Jacobs black leather bag. Like, I was obsessed even before he started doing the Marc by Marc thing, which definitely made his designs more affordable for a high school kid. He had a grip on our generation. It felt like Marc Jacobs was everywhere. He kept reinventing himself. It was this brand that I was always obsessed with, so it feels very full circle now that I’m getting to wear the clothes, especially for NYLON.

I actually remember a time when – this a long story, but I’ll make it short – I was in a position where I didn’t know anyone, and I saw a girl with a Marc Jacobs wallet, and I knew I could be friends with her. And we’ve been friends ever since! However that sounds, I don’t care because that’s what happened. It all worked out.

BW: So, the Marc Jacobs spring collection is very art-inspired. All the looks have this underlying message that art and color have the power to influence the inner soul and the outer world. I feel like color and looking exciting plays a big role in your performance.

MBB: It’s nice to be living in a time where I feel like, weirdly, the early 2000s and the ’70s are back at the same time. I can really live my childhood fantasies of wearing lime green and crazy colors in updated silhouettes. It’s fun to be wearing what I used to see in movies and TV. I’m dressing how I always wanted to as a kid, and I think the whole “vibe shift” that’s happening that I’ve read about is… well, my personal vibe shift is to honor my inner child.

“My personal vibe shift is to honor my inner child.”

BW: Describe an actual outfit that 16-year-old Mary Beth wore.

MBM: I was obsessed with the teen dramas of the time – I was very inspired by the 2000s New York City and LA looks. I went to a Catholic school from kindergarten to 8th grade, so I remember the first day of public school because I didn’t have to wear a uniform. I know the exact outfit – I wore a white denim skirt with a tank top, layered with a very thin sweater. And then I had a low side ponytail with a colorful scarf that my dad had gotten me in India, plus canvas sneakers. I remember walking to school unsure of what to expect, but feeling very confident in my outfit. It was my little protective shield. I had a lot of fun. I was obsessed – like, obsessed – with clothes in high school, so it was fun being able to express myself through my outfits.

BW: Do you have anything you keep to yourself? It seems like you’re always on display – whether you’re posting on social media, on stage, podcasting, whatever. How do you nurture your inner self?

MBM: I’m really lucky that I have a big family. Over my life, I’ve made amazing friends who aren’t involved with the entertainment industry, so I love spending time with them. Immersing myself in those groups just allows me to, again, get in touch with my younger self. It’s good to be able to have that distinction. It’s how I shut off, and I’m lucky to have the opportunity to not worry about what’s happening on social media at all times.

I’ve gone through phases where I’ve been really anti-social media, and I’ve archived a bunch of my posts and even thought about deleting my account altogether. It’s just about balance and making sure to set aside time for myself.

BW: Do you have any parting words for someone out there who’s feeling low and wants to unlock a little extra light and color in their life?

MBB: Whatever fashion risk you’ve been considering… just do it. You only get one life, and if it’s going to make you feel good, do it, even if you get strange looks on the subway or walking down the street. Own your look. Own your space. When you give yourself permission to have fun and wear whatever you want, you’re unstoppable.

Check out Mary Beth Barone’s upcoming spring tour dates here.

Photographer: Rosaline Shahnavaz

Art Director: Diana Weisman

Senior Director Branded Fashion, Wardrobe Stylist: Jenna Wexler

Food Stylist: The Gemini Bake

Hair: Yoichi Tomizawa

Makeup: Tiffany Patton

Nails: Natalie Pavloski

Associate Director Branded Fashion: Elly Ayres

Talent Bookings: Alexa Lyons & Lucy Haller

Producer: Kat Fry & Danica Butkovich