These New Dr. Martens Sandals Are An It Girl Spring Staple

Maya Umemoto Gorman has a theory about getting dressed: Comfort is the starting point, not the compromise. It's a simple rule, but the outfits it produces are anything but. The LA-based photographer and creative, known for co-hosting the Upstairs Neighbors podcast, has never been bothered by that contradiction.

This spring, she's building her favorite looks around three Dr. Martens sandals: the Brown Zebzag Flower Slide, the Dusty Rose Zebzag Slide, and the Cornflower Blue Zebzag Sandal. Each is a nod to a side of her personality.

The easiest yes? The Brown Zebzag Flower Slide. "They're warm, cozy, and I'm obsessed with the flower detail," Maya says. Scroll her feed, and you'll see it — warm tones, interesting textures, pieces with a little something extra on them. "The Brown Zebzag Flower Slide already lived in my closet the moment I saw them." That instinct for detail traces back to Japan, where she visits family and always comes home with new pieces. "The tailoring, the style — I've always resonated with Japanese style," she says. The Flower Slide fits right into that world.

The Dusty Rose was more of a statement piece. Gorman doesn't usually reach for pink, but once she styled the Zebzag slide, she found it went with everything. That's the thing about Dr. Martens: the sole does a lot of the work. It's a cheat code, really. That grooved base just grounds whatever's happening on top. "When I wear my Dr. Martens, the feel of the shoe always makes me feel in charge," she says. "It really is a feeling I get from no other shoe."

For a bit of a mood shift, there's the Cornflower Blue Zebzag Sandal. That blue is calm in a specific way. Gorman’s usual formula is a small top, big pants, a few oversized rings, a bag large enough to hold a snack. The playlist is punk rock, rap, and old crooner jazz. It’s eclectic, and so is she. The blue sandal somehow works with it all.

This spring, Gorman is slowing down on purpose. She was traveling at the top of the year, and now being home feels right. Her focus is on "prioritizing rest and enjoying time with my friends and family." Three sandals, ready for whatever version of herself she wants to be that day.