Thinking of the 20-eyelet Docs

medusa

So I'm thinking of jumping on the 20-eyelet Doc Marten bandwagon. Seeing the pictures of Ana, Tanya, and Angie (and maybe others? sorry if I've forgotten you) rocking these boots is making me interested.

The question is - what color? I already have knee-high black boots, so I was thinking of a different color. I'm kind of drawn to the white. Would white be too hard to keep looking good?

16 years ago

Dressing

11 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

I fear the white because of the NE winter...not sure where you live? I think the cherry red color is fabulous, but since I don't have a pair of tall black boots, I did opt to start with "smooth black" - ordered yesterday.

16 years ago

medusa

Veteran

MPJ, I live in Colorado. It snows but usually isn't slushy for days like in New England.

I just discovered the black/silver color online - that looks kind of cool as well.

16 years ago

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

I've only seen the black/silver in the 14-eye...did I miss them in 20?

You nailed it - it's the gross, slushy stuff that I think would make the white boots less than fab for me - but you might be okay.

16 years ago

Anonymous

Hi Medusa, I think the silver/grey that Tanya and a few others have is really nice and versatile. The red is always tempting. I think white is great too. Oh such choices.
I was not going to get into the Doc's resurgence but it just so happens I found a brand new pair at a consignment store yesterday that I coundn't resist so I bought them. They are black 14 eye. This is an odd style with a zipper on each side of the laces in the front. I had not seen this kind before.

16 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I had white docs back in the day, and they are hard to keep clean. Mine forever had big black scuff marks on them.

16 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Yay! I'm so excited about my Docs. I really want to drag them off to the cobbler right now, but I need to wait because I think getting them shortened is going to be expensive. For me, it was a toss up between the white and black pairs. I opted for the black pair because I don't currently have any boots at all, and black would be more versatile in my wardrobe. If you already have a pair of plan black boots, I would go for the white or silver ones. I may think about picking up a second pair of white ones in the future.

16 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

It will be interesting to see if Ana's shaft shortening experiment works! So far, no one under 5ft 6 has been able to wear the 20 eyelets as is. (They are very tall).

I have the black and white 20 eyelets. I LOOOOOVE them. (I’m a Docs gal through and through). I think you should get the red or silver grey *if* they fit.

A word of warning though – these boots eventually feel like slippers and will last for 20 years, but you have to wear them in. That will take time. For me, Docs are 10-hour walk on ice, in snow and in slush shoes. Also perfect for the rain.

16 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I could see you in the black, silver/black or cherry. Would they also work with your orthotics? If so I think they would be a great investment for you.

16 years ago

medusa

Veteran

I have a pair of shorter Doc boots in purple that I got in the 90s - they definitely took a while to break in but they became very comfy. They work with orthotics and fit well, so that's a huge plus. I think the length will work for me - I'm just under 5'6", but I have proportionally long legs, and I really want tall boots. Fingers crossed.

MPJ, I haven't seen the 20-eyelet silvery/gray a lot of places, but they do seem to be available:
http://www.shoebuy.com/dr-mart.....one-_-none

It sounds like the consensus is leaning towards the silver or the red, which is what I'm thinking as well. I'm leaning slightly toward the silver because I don't own any metallic shoes. Hmmm.

One other question for Angie (or others) - do these boots work well for skinny calves out of the box, or did you have to get them altered? Zappos says they have a 14" opening, but maybe with the laces you can tighten them down....

16 years ago

marianne

Active Member

Mine are just a little loose around the calf when laces are tightened all the way. I have 13'' calves. My guess is that it also varies with the style and size - I think the red ones are made out of stiffer leather than the silver, and the shaft might be a little narrower. Mine are black, and I was going through this exercise last year, so I am a little vague on it

16 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I have a 13 inch calf too! I wear my Docs with hose and frocks, or over skinnies because you can adjust the width with the laces.

16 years ago

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