An ode to... Dr Martens

By Claudia Dupé, Second Year English

Second year English student, Claudia Dupé sheds light on why she believes Dr Martens to be the unsung heroes of our footwear collection.

Let’s give a hand to these iconic shoes, the beloved ‘Docs’ or ‘DMs’. For over fifty years these kick-ass boots have graced our streets - albeit less gracefully when worn by the skinheads of the 1960s - and put a spring in our step thanks to those Bouncing Soles. From humble beginnings rooted in the working class, the Doc Marten made a storm during the 60s Ska era. Their image then fell into the hands of the 80s punks, followed by the grunge-scene of the early 90s and have since become an inherent part of our British youth culture.

I first fell in love with a second-hand pair of Docs when I was just a kid on the school playground, but it wasn’t until my teenage years that I was reacquainted with my old friends. The trademark yellow stitching, lace up fronts, smooth black leather and rubber soles were irresistible; especially when juxtaposed with a pretty floral summer dress. Now, the original ‘1460’ shoe has been transformed by various designs and finishes: patent, floral print, glitter, Pascal leather, fur-lined, velvet, vegan leather and collaborations – everyone can find their perfect pair.

Looking around our University campus, Dr Martens have left much of a footprint. But why have they made such a bold impression on us students? Perhaps, it has something to do with DMs branding themselves as footwear for the rebels and non-conformists. It seems, there is no better-suited footwear for the ambitious and aspiring student than these empowering soles. They ooze attitude and can be worn and tailored to everyone’s individual style - paired with skinny jeans or denim skirts, and as I’ve recently discovered: flares! Affiliated with Bristol’s liberal political attitude, alternative music scene and overall edgy image, Doc Martens have placed their stamp on our streets, as their soles wear into both our feet and our hearts. These tough boots really are made for walking…and dancing…and moshing.

If you haven’t worn yours in yet, or still haven’t got a pair, buy a pack of plasters for those honeymoon period blisters and you will be good to go. Gigs, clubs, festivals, summer strolls, autumn hikes and snow days; Docs are your trusty companions for toasty toes and a stand out look fit for every occasion and guaranteed to last you for years. Who knows, you will probably - almost definitely - develop a very healthy obsession with these shoes.

Featured Image: Harishan Kobalasingam / Unsplash

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