Once a sure sign of trouble, the DM is now back in a big way. Margaret Zawedde ponders its return.
While walking down the high street I have recently noticed a change in young people’s shoes. As a clothes obsessive, who isn’t too fussed about footwear, I wouldn’t normally notice. But this change is too big to miss.
The change being that the unique, iconic and fashionable shoes, Doctor Martens, seem to be worn by our generation much more then before. But why is that?
Perhaps it’s because of its popular high structure and yellow stitching or just the fact that fashion trends from the past are becoming the “next big thing”. Whatever the reason I want to know, because these shoes seem to have become my very own obsession (even though I don’t yet have a pair myself).
It seems that many of those who own a pair don’t happen to see Doctor Martens as just ordinary boots or shoes. I wanted to find out what people my age think about DMs becoming so popular.
I got a positive response via Facebook and email, some stating that it’s all due to the “indie movement” going on nowadays, meaning older things are becoming more fashionable. Others say “they are just simply a pair of shoes that you can’t stop loving”.
As much as these responses amused me, I wanted to search for a person who has a completely different view on Doctor Martens – perhaps even a negative one. I didn’t have to look very far. Yes, fashionista, get ready, because there really is a person out there who thinks that Doctor Martens aren’t all that!
I caught up with one of my long-time friends Hailey who, though generally an admirer of fashion revivals, isn’t impressed by the DMs’ comeback. “These shoes aren’t that great,” she says. “What’s the point of having shoes that are only really popular with certain types of people like skinheads, punks and vintage lovers? They only look good on certain people. Some people try but it still doesn’t work.”
Maybe Hailey is right, but I don’t really think that Klaus Martens, the German doctor who invented the masterpieces during World War II, thought about how it would suit people when he was in his hospital bed. He was thinking of ways to comfort one’s feet with air-cushioned soles and he seemed to do a fairly good job.
So perhaps it is the comfort that is bringing back these shoes, formally known as “bovver boots”. I definitely agree that there is nothing better in the world then having shoes that look good and feel good all at the same time – such a change from high heels!
So why have these combat boots come back? Well they are stylish with strong construction and just damn well popular. That’s it really.
And is there a harm in them returning to our stores? I don’t think they ever went out of style in the first place – they just went on a “fashion vacation”, and with them being popular in the UK for over 50 years leaving a hefty “boot print” in the fashion industry, it’s safe to say, you can keep rocking your DMs…preferably with skinny jeans, leggings, denim outfits, and if you wanna wear a dress make it a flared one:) just saying.
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