Introducing the Dr. Martens Twin Strap T-Strap Mary Janes, Model 8065

(Coupon alert: This shoe also qualifies for the coupon mentioned in a previous post: $20.00 off when you spend $80.00 or more on shoes sold by Amazon.com. Use promotional code SHOE8O2O at checkout. Offer ends May 7.)

The iconic Docs and their signature air cushioned soles were created by a real German doctor—Dr. Klaus Maertens. (The brand name was later anglicized and spelled Dr. Martens.) In the early 1960s, Dr. Martens shoes and boots were worn mostly by mailmen, builders, police, medics, Underground personnel and factory workers. Soon rock-n-rollers would adopt Docs as their shoe of choice. The late John Peel, known as an influential music broadcaster and fierce champion of the underdog, had a pair. Billy Bragg, Joe Strummer, PJ Harvey, Sinead O’Connor, and Morrissey each owned Docs. Now I own a pair.

I have always wanted a pair of mary janes by Dr. Martens. For so many years they had been unattainable for one reason or another. Whether it was the price, color or size availability, the perfect mary jane Docs remained elusive. Finally, I saw these twin strap/T-strap mary janes at Amazon.com and I couldn’t believe my eyes. They were reasonably priced and Amazon was shipping them directly, for free! Surely I had stumbled onto the best find ever and soon I would step into a dream come true.

The Sizing Journey
Finding the right fit with Dr. Martens shoes can be tricky. As you probably know, Docs come only in whole UK sizes. Knowing that Docs run big, I ordered a pair of UK size 3 (US size 5) first. Normally I wear a size 6. Like a hawk, I tracked my package from a Lexington, KY warehouse to stops in Northern Kentucky, Rialto, CA, and Pomona, CA, before it reached my doorstep (within six days–thanks FedEx Ground). When they arrived, I tried them on immediately. Even though the pictures at Amazon.com gave a very fair representation of the shoes from many angles, I was ecstatic to see that they were even cuter in person, but they didn’t fit! Imagine my disappointment. They were a wee bit small for me, really, I just needed a mere 5 millimeters more for a comfortable fit. That could have easily been remedied with the next half size up, if only half sizes existed in the Dr. Martens world. *Sigh* I lovingly repackaged the shoes and returned the UK size 3 for a UK size 4, the supposed equivalent to a US size 6. Before the second pair arrived, I knew they’d be too big, and in fact, they were. But I wasn’t going to send my dream shoes back to Lexington, Kentucky, yet again.

Baby, now that I’ve found you I won’t let you go, I built my world around you…
I heard my friend Christina’s shoe advice repeating in my head. She said, “Do whatever it takes to keep them, wear thicker socks if you have to.” I live in Los Angeles, I don’t have thick socks. I made my way to Rite-Aid right away to pick up some Dr. Scholl’s double Air-Pillo inserts. Still, the shoes didn’t fit. Was my dream fading? No! I got another pair of generic brand inserts…whatever it takes…and put on two pairs of socks. This is what it took to get the right fit, at last.

Other pertinent information:
100 percent leather upper, PVC sole
Classic yellow stitching means it’s authentic
Durable Goodyear welt construction
Made in Thailand (not England anymore)
Botttom sole reads “Made like no other shoe on earth.”

Also available at Zappos:
Dr. Martens - 8065 Series (Black Smooth) - Women’s

Shoe Name: Dr. Martens Twin Strap T-Strap Mary Janes Purchased/Seen At: Amazon.com Approx Price: $69.90
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