Angie I saw this re-emergence in Scotland and Ireland too (this fall) Many fun colors of Docs—-

The first time around when they were popular I was about 10 and all the cool kids wore them. They were a bit too much for me, so I never did.

I like all the variety in the new models, especially the pink patent ones and the grey ones from the grey footwear post. I am not sure I would be able to pull them of though. If I got a pair they would be almost exclusively be worn under bootcut jeans, I am not sure I could come up with anything else.

I find it very inspiring and enjoying though to see them worn in creative ways on other people.

I hope those who wear their Docs this fall/winter will post their photos. My eye isn’t there yet, especially for over 40.

Joy, you are very cute. I love how polite you are about saying that your eye is not there yet. It’s okay to not like this look. Many don’t. Docs will probably stay fringe fashion, but for some they represent happy nostalgic moments (like me), and I do actually love the look contrasted with a feminine ensemble (as you know, I own a pair).

Good to know, Debbie. I have not been to Europe this side of the year. I expect the look to be more popular there seeing as that’s its birth place.

Tanya, you’d rock a pair of docs with the best of them. But if it’s not your style, stay away.

I think they rock too! Plus they last for a zillion years….

I admit that I have been strongly tempted by the grey pair as well. But I also would love to own a red pair of boots and I’m wondering if Doc Martens are the way to go. I always wanted a pair when I was a teenager. Now I’m still wondering if they’re all that practical in a warm climate (probably not) but for boots the price is fairly reasonable. Decisions decisions…

I love the contrast between the ‘tougher’ Dr. Martens and more feminine cothes. At the moment I don’t own a pair, but I’m loving their new collection.
Like Tanya, I’m not sure I would be able to come up with enough great looking ensembles though. Angie, would you consider doing a post with specific examples (pictures;-) of outfits that work, for extra inspiration?

They aren’t my cupa tea. I can appreciate the idea of adding a tough edge to a feminine out fit, but I’ve never liked these. I do wish I could afford this biker jacket though: http://www.ardenb.com/catalog/.....ctId=13475

My daughter graduated from high school in 1996 and in her crowd Doc’s were so popular she had at least 6 pair. (She worked and bought them) I had one pair of the red T strap that I just sent off to the Goodwill about a year ago. I turned around in Nordstrom’s recently and saw those red T straps there again!

Darn – I should have kept all of my Docs! I had tons of them. But we used to wear them with long johns and cut off jeans, and the occasional flowy skirt. Oh dear. Hey, I was 20.

I was in high school when DMs were the thing to have (although not allowed in our dress code), but the look of heavy boots has never suited me so I didn’t own any. I don’t know why it is, but I just generally find boots uncomfortable to wear. I do enjoy seeing DMs on other people however, especially if they have an artsy/funky sense of style. My college roommate was a DM freak and she could rock this look with the best of them.

I have one pair of Doc Martens that I bought back in the fall of 1996 when I was in college. They are the basic (8 or 10??) eyelet brown boots. They were a bit painful to break in since I was walking around campus so much, but once I did, I wore them all the time. They were great to wear in the winter and rain and I mainly wore them with jeans.

I don’t wear them too much with my current wardrobe, but sometimes I will break them out in the winter when the weather is bad. They are more sturdy than my kitten heel ankle boots in the slush and snow.

Oh, Docs! I wore 12-hole boots nearly every day from 1989 (grade 11 trip to visit relatives in England) until a couple of years ago when I got tendonitis in my achilles tendon, probably because of wearing the boots too much. I used to wear them a lot with skirts (and babydoll dresses in university) – I love the contrast. I always wanted a pair of purple boots.

I still have the last pair I owned; I might have to brave the potential pain and pull them out again.

Love my Docs. I have two pairs — boots and sandals, both over 10 years old!

One question: Is it still fashionable to tuck jeans into your boots? Not sure if it is still being done. It’s still 80 degrees here in Texas, so you don’t see many boots out there…

Since reading about your 20-eye purchase, Angie, I’ve been tempted by Docs several times. I have SUCH fond memories of wearing mine during High Grunge Era. But I think I’m more of a Frye girl now love, love, love my Engineer 8Rs!

Hmmm I have to admit this look is not for me. I don’t need to add any roughness to my look. Also, the look just does not appeal to me. The white ones remind me of figure skate boots. The patent ones are funky and probably my favorite of the bunch–but again, not for me.

I’m interested in trying this look. It’s a toss up – Dr.Martens or motorcycle boots of some sort. Hmmm.

I’d also like to see examples of how to pair them with ultra feminine pieces.

Like others I still have 2 pairs of docs kicking around in my cupboard: 10-hole green suede and 8-hole cherry ones. These boots sure are built to last!!

I’ve been loving the look of their new style higher boots though; they are serious contenders for when I need to upgrade my flat-heeled black boots next year!!

Angie, can you please give us some tips on how we can wear the lower boots? Are they pants only, or are skirts ok? My Mum has always called my docs my “clodhoppers”. I’ve never really thought about how they could be paired with something feminine before – I’ve always worn them as part of the whole “grungey” look I guess!

I hung on to most of Doc’s. I’m glad they’re making a comeback, but would love some advice on how to wear them now. I have orange steel toe, yellow, blue patent leather and the basic black all short boots, also some others. I really went over board with them. I think at one time I had 20 pair. I’d love the 20 eyelet or a pair of the more sleek modern styles. Pictures would be great.

Thanks!

Yublocka, your mom wasn’t the only one to call them “clodhoppers.” To each her own, but docs are definitely a look from my high school and college days (along with the XL mens’ flannel and thermal shirts and denim overalls) that I’d rather leave in the past. I’ll admit though, I adored them at the time. My dormmates and I used to trade them around for a little variety.

For me the combo of feminine clothing paired with a Frye style motorcycle boot accomplishes the same look, but with more polish.

I like Docs on others. I’ve seen Angie’s “European client in her 40s” -who is a friend of mine- in the grey Docs and she looked totally totally awesome. She wears them with skinnies (plus white button down and scarf) and with pencil skirts. Both killer combos!
Somehow I’ve never been tempted by Docs for myself, even though my style is definitely funky/Euro and I generally love the combination of “tougher” with more “feminine” pieces. I didn’t have them in the early 90s and don’t have plans to buy them now. Maybe it’s because I have rather big feet in proportion to my height; I just think they’d look very clunky on me. (Angie and the “European client in her 40s” are taller, thinner, and have smaller feet than me.) But it’s definitely fun to see their resurgence.

Docs were very popular in Seattle when I was here for college…not that I had a pair, mind you, but they were popular. I agree with you, Angie…I love the idea of combining the feminine with the masculine.

Angie, I saw the client you refer to on the day you did her “create” session. She looked stunning in her grey Docs along with skinnies, feminine pashmina scarf, knitted white blouse and a slim belt. What an edgy and fab combo. I am inspired to try them on. And, if they pass my foot comfort test, I plan to buy a pair and pair them with fem items.

Kirstin I’m glad my mum isn’t the only one! I’d love to see a piccie of docs paired with girly clothes. Like you I mostly wore them with black jeans, a belt with a harley belt buckle, a heavy metal band t-shirt and a flannel shirt. That was the “uniform” of 1990 I think!! Since then I have been pretty boring and only wore them with pants!

Ohhh, I have always had a soft spot for Docs. Loved them since they first showed up in the 80s and I saved all my babysitting money to buy my first pair. Back then it was just the standard black boot but what fun. They last FOREVER!!! I now own another pair and had the wonderful pleasure of buying my oldest child their fist pair of Docs this fall. It felt like a coming of age moment.

I’ve had three pairs, a purple velvet pair, a black steel toe paid and a 20 eyelet black and silver pair. I still have the 20 eyelet pair but I wish I could get another of the purple ones. THey are worn out but I wear them every once in awhile to concerts when I don’t want to mess up other shoes.

[...] rugged boots seem more mainstream and wearable than the classic Doc Marten because the design detail varies and you can choose a more refined style. I think the look is cool [...]

hi! i’m going to hong kong 2 wks from now and i’m wondering where in hk is the dr. martens store. do they have women’s versions of the 8-hole (like what they sell in zappos?) i’ve been wanting a pair for months now, our local store doesn’t have stock in my size. thanks in advance.

i am looking for a pair of vintage dr marten brown boots for my son
they have 3 hole laces and a padding around the calf area
please let me know where i can find these and the style name

[...] swaps and international experiences such as Anne Fontaine, Shell pearls from Hong Kong and the Dr. Martens Revival. But my absolute favourite blog post of all time is this one. The furry little blog star makes my [...]