Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Whazz Up Doc?

THE ORIGINAL: Doc Martens

THE OTHER CONTENDERS:


Ann Demeulemeester Lace-Up Boots, $1,105


Costume National Round-Toe Ankle Boots, $800


Stuart Weitzman Lug-Sole Lace-up Boots, $345


See by Chloe Wrap-Around Strap Ankle Boot, $495


Tory Burch Donna Lace-Up Boots, $595
d
Believe it or not, yours truly actually owns a pair of Doc Martens. I know--this is shocking in a my-world-has-flipped-upside-down kind of way. But before you take this random fact to its semi-logical conclusion, bear in mind that these were from the 1980s. That's right. The 1980s. Why do I still have them, you ponder (when it's so obviously NOT my fashion aesthetic)?
D
Well, to be honest, I used to wear them as rain/ snow boots (as some of you know, they're indestructible). I find it equally astounding that these are "in" again. Sure, I understand that the fashion zeitgeist has decreed that anything rocker, edgy, and grungy has returned at full tilt--and I am sure that there are some among you who love this look. But I find it personally difficult to adopt this mode of fashion, probably because I still see teenagers today wearing this look in all of its goth glory. How about you: do you find this look appealing, and if so, why? Do you have any words of wisdom to challenge this Doc Marten-prejudiced fashionista?

30 comments:

Da Fashionista said...

LOVE that you have some docs in your closet. would have neeever guessed.

I had combat boots back in high school. The real military kind not Doc Martins. Bought them in Guatemala where they cost like $30. Loved how badass I felt in them and so have been pondering whether I'd wear Docs now since I'm seeing them everywhere on young chicas.

In my head I want to be that cool girl I once was but I'm just not that into it. Would rather be a pretty woman in heels any day.

Brigadeiro said...

Ah! Doc's! I so wanted a pair in the 90's, and when I finally got some, they had a slight chunky heel to them (they were reduced, Doc's were expensive for me back then)...couldn't pull them off now though...my style's changed too much...so I'm afraid I have no words of wisdom :(
xx

LOVE the Ann D & Costume National 'versions'!!!

vitaMinn style said...

"teenagers today wearing this look in all of its goth glory"... that is SO true! And not only here in the US! When we were in Berlin last year, I was so surprised to see that every living and breathing tweener in Alexanderplatz was sporting Doc Martens! I felt like they were all going to gang up on me for wearing my PINK Pumas!!

I do love everything else except for the original, hehehe =)

little fish said...

these questions are tough..i dont have any word of wisdom : )

but i love the doc martin boots and also the see by chloe boots.

Kat said...

I actually owned my first and only pair of Docs when I was a university student! They were pretty cool at that time...wore it with skirts and jeans! haha! Those were the days.

The brown Tory Burch looks like a more elegant cousin.

StyleSpy said...

No, thank you. I'd much rather have those little Chanel darlings you posted yesterday. I never did have Docs, even back in the day. Right now the closest thing I have to that is a pair of lace-up Ariat paddock boots, which I do truly love. Same idea, way more refined & equestrian. Those are my rain boots -- also nearly indestructible, but I don't look like I'm headed to a mosh pit when I wear them.

tam pham said...

i was in the 8th grade, and i had two pairs of Doc mary janes! somehow, i was able to rationalize with my horrified mom that the mjanes were "girlier".

phi-style said...

i REALLY wanted Docs when I was in middle school, but my mom refused to pay that much for clunky boots.

Now that I can buy them myself, I'm thinking no....guess mom was right. =)

Nini's Style said...

I think I like the original of Doc Marten the best :-)
xoxo
Nini

WendyB said...

I have to say, I find the comeback of Doc Martens hilarious. All the youngsters dressing up in our old things ;-)

Patty Ann said...

i like the see by chloe boots because of the studded wrap around it! i totally do the same thing too, i own some doc martens type boot which i only wear in the rain or snow! haha
love,
patty

AlphaBetaChic.blogspot.com

Lynn said...

oh, i too still have my docs from the 90s. haha. and i use them for snow boots too. a year ago, i tried to sell them to Beacon's Closet and they actually rejected it!!! and i'm quite happy now that they did. i "might" try to wear them again.

the monday schedule works better for me. around 1PM? maybe we should try the go-go dumplings you mentioned yesterday.

www.janetteria.com said...

I really love tha last pair but my fave docs are floral ones! :-D

XoXo

dot said...

And here I went and threw my black classic Doc Martins away. I bought them in '97, never wore them, and me, who can never part with anything, parted with them.

Oh, Thumbie, I was thinking of you the other day: went to a cheap London dept. store called New Look (do you have it in NY? These days pretty much everything is global, no?) and they had the same kind of probably fake suede, black, thigh high boots as the vintage Donna Karan pair I threw out. I don't know if you want a cheap imitation, but they didn't look at all bad.

Miss Cavendish said...

Oh--I had the same Docs in the shoe during grad school (1990s). I wore them with long floaty floral dresses.

This school year I tried to interest my daughters in some Mary Jane Docs to no avail. So sad.

Style Odyssey said...

doc martens' popularity occurred some time after my high school days. fast forward a few years: i bought a pair online, but alas, found them too clunky for my petite frame and little feet. i love them in concept, though.
the ann d pair here...now those speak to me on some deep level. i could sooo wear those.

Hanh, Life-in-Travel said...

You're right. I used to wear them as rain/snow boots.

Love the AnnD and Chloe'.

Hanh,

Dani said...

haha YES! docs!
i like the ann d's and chloe's, too. this has always been very much my style... and i think it's cute when worn appropriately (not overly costume-y, ya know?).

your style is really different though, and totally works for you. i like it!

http://www.rocknrollgypsy.com

Dream Sequins said...

I wore them in college... so I have to say I still love them. I think you should try pairing them with a sweet dress, just for nostalgia's sake. :) You'd be surprised how versatile they can be on you.

cocktailoffashion said...

I must admit i never bought any Doc Martens when i was at school but i would consider buying the Tory Burch pair!

HMcK said...

I love heavy duty boots, there's a great brand in the UK called All Saints who are famous for particularly fashionable ones. I'm pretty sure they are set to open American branches super soon (NYC, LA and Miami) but I have like 3 pairs from them!

Mom Fashion World said...

I've been planning to purchase Doc M's for me and Mr. Freddy soon!
I love the Tory Burch lace up boots but my it's beyond my budget already. huh!

The Little Fashion Treasury said...

Good morning Thumbelina.
It´s friday ;)

Unfortunately I have no Doc Martens story to tell as I honestly was never a fan of them. But I love the idea of wearing them as stylish rain/snow boots!

Remember I saw Miss Deyn wearing them and they somehow suit her so well ;)

Have a beautiful friday and wonderful weekend ahead!

Gisela and Maury said...

I can see what you mean, its like the market is oversaturated with anything rock, rebel, biker, etc. I never dressed like that before but after having my first baby in Dec. I got this overwhelming feeling of rebellion against society and this rock chic style was in my face so much I felt like trying it and I tell ya it is truly cathartic! I felt liberated from all the frustrations of beinga first time mommy, I let that bad ass side of me run wild, I guess that's the teenager in me screaming to come back. lol. Maybe one day you should don your docs and put a rockin lil' outfit together and see how you feel then. I think you may be surprised!
xoxo!
-Gisela
www.heightsoffashion.typepad.com

Rachel said...

I'm not sure if I love docs. But I definately think the real DC Martens are better than all the other options in your post. I used to love them as a teenager. Well, actually I still am a teenager, but you know, in my early teenager days. I guess I still have a weak spot for the things I love back then, but I would definately pair them in a different way now.

Dani said...

hi darlin! well, right now i wouldn't say that they're uncomfortable... a bit stiff. i'm hoping the leather will give a little more and break in. i own three pairs of JC's and they all fit me differently in terms of size. however, they do seem to hold up fairly well.

i just love them because they knockoff everything i can't afford haha!!

http://www.rocknrollgypsy.com

Anonymous said...

HELLO DEAREST!!! love those Chanel booties in your previous post! What happened to your outfit entries?!?! Me want more, me want more! ;))) I'm back from my hiatus and I've missed your blog so much! Sorry about not joining your blogroll for bloglovin'!! I haven't logged in in ages so once I do, I will 'follow' you okay? Love!

xoxo, Adela

modediktat said...

Heeeeeeeelloooo Missy,
how are you today? I hope you're feeling better, darling! I'm still in bed but managed to do a new posting, better late than never, huh?
Doc Martens.... Well. Not easy. I like them a lot - perfect with little dresses, tights, parka jacket, coats. Hm, maybe I'm kinda stucked with the looks of 90ies ;)
Doc's are cool - and if I wouldn't own TW black buckle boots (oh my addiction) I would go for DM :)

The ETRO studded wedges are on the small side - so a 37 would be perfect. You'll find them here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260449411716&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

Wishing you a wonderful weekend and I hope you get well very soon, sweetie!

Big kiss, much love!!!

Nubiasnonsense said...

Docs are awesome boots, the chloe ones are looking good with those studs hmm...

Tiffany Ling Tse said...

I don't wear it that often but I actually love Doc Marten-style combat boots with an outfit. The boots instantly give any combo of clothes a youthful, edgy feel... and it looks so great when you dress down a fancy frock with combat boots! I like the Tory Burch version! I think they'd look great on you and still fit your fashion aesthetic :)