(Ask Angie) K/R: Doc Marten Clemency boots

Those red, low-heeled Docs I ordered last week have arrived and here they are. The good news is that they are indeed a little narrower than standard docs in the heel and instep so my foot is stable and pretty comfortable. However, they are still VERY deep - I think you can see this in the photos, how it's puckering at the instep because there is a lot of extra room. I have not added my insoles but I know they won't take up all that room. I cannot go down a size as I am between sizes in Docs and I know my toes will hit the front of the smaller size.

The color is gorgeous! It's just like the vamp red Academy blazer. =)

Last photo is NOT styled (this is an old dress that is now loungewear), but I wanted to show how they look in relation to my body. Do they hit at an awkward height on my leg?

Also, I have a question for Docs owners: The leather on these is VERY stiff, especially at the top. Will this soften up as they break in? I feel like they are cutting into my leg at the top a bit, even with the top eyelet unlaced. I also can't lace these as tightly over the ankle as I would like because the leather is too stiff.

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13 years ago

Kristin L

Veteran

Would thick socks help with the puckering? I like the color and think they come up high enough.

Transcona Shannon

You're right - the colour is gorgeous! And I like the height on you. I haven't got the boot style of Docs so can't speak to the stiffness but I recall Angie saying they definitely take some breaking in.

Suz

(website)

Diana, the colour is stunning! So rich.

As to the fit, I truly empathize. I'm in the same position in most Docs. In my Marcies, I seem to be fine; they fit a bit differently than the Saras, which are basically a bit too long and wide for me, but not so much that I can go down a size. I put an insole into them but they are still a bit on the large size. However, they are wearable.

The Marcies are also made of thinner leather; the Saras are thicker, like these boots. The Saras are not a boot style, so the feeling would be a bit different, but I found they definitely took breaking in, and they DID soften with time.

I wonder if there is a product that you can put on the leather to soften it up a bit?

They look good on you, I think. It's just a question of comfort.

Caro in Oz

They are a fantastic colour but I don't like the fit of these on your foot; imo that puckering will only get worse. I had a pair of boots that puckered in that way & they were not comfortable.

nancylee

These are a really great color, Diana. Sorry I can't help you on the break-in process of Docs. Angie is a bit of a Doc Marten fan/expert, I think. Maybe you should flag your post with "Ask Angie?"

rae

Ah, I have these on a wishlist, too - that little heel is great!

As much as I want to love them, that puckering would drive me bananas. I don't think *that* would be solved by softening them up and breaking them in - in fact it might get worse as the leather softens and is able to collapse more into your foot. I think it's kind of akin to not filling out a bustline, unfortunately. It just makes it look like the shoe is way too big for you.

catgirl

I'm not a fan of the puckering. I agree with Rae, it makes the boot look too big, and I like these kind of boots with laces to fit snugly against the foot. These would be a perfect fit for my short, fat, wide feet - in fact, I had a very similar pair many years ago. The color is gorgeous. though. I wish they still made my burgundy boots because I think they'd work for you.

They (or your leg) will break in after a short painful period. It's never the feet for me, it's always the cuff.

Diana

Thank you, everyone. It sounds like the puckering is not ideal, and I tend to agree. I do think I was a little blinded by how lovely the color is, but looking at the photos again, I see that there is a TON of excess room in the foot.

Will wait a bit to see what Angie says, but I am leaning towards returning. Too bad, as the color is gorgeous. In the meantime, has anyone seen a non-Doc combat boot that comes in burgundy?

Nicole had burgundy patent ones she found at Target, I think.

jayne

so sad about the puckering. the boots look otherwise great on you, and I love the color. The vibe is perfect and I can see these with many of your outfits.

Deborah

Bumping for Angie! I would like to hear her take on these. The puckering g would bother me.

Bumping for Angie.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

This apparently works wonders. Client Fernanda used them on her Docs and it was like miracle potion:

http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Marte.....B007RNJCR0

I did things the authentic way and broke them in :). It takes a while though. But they will last forever.

LOVE these on you, Diana! I don't mind the puckering one bit - it's Doc-tastic.

Angie, so the puckering in the foot does not bother you?

ETA: Never mind, I missed where you said it was fine!

Jonesy

Wow, I love these on you! Makes me want a pair myself :)! I don't notice any puckering--I think they look fabulous. I have one pair of Docs (spotted calf hair) and I broke them in by only lacing them partway up (so the ankle part is looser) and wearing longer socks. The part where they hit my leg was the hardest part, but over time they got looser/softer.

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