How To Style Doc Martens?
“Martens paired with wide-leg trousers and jeans, baggy jeans, biker/leather jackets, and trench coats,” says Eriksson. “The overall vibe will be somewhat casual with an edge.” As a styling tip, Eriksson recommends consciously deciding whether you want your pants to go over your Dr.
Styling Doc Martens
14 Ways To Wear The Footwear Classic This Season
The label started out producing boots that were marketed as workwear. Still, eventually, Doc Martens gained notoriety in 1969 when Pete Townshend, guitarist of The Who, wore his boots paired with a boiler suit to rebel against the bright psychedelic prints that defined the mainstream fashion of the age.
The best-known style of Doc Martens has to be the 1460 boot. The instantly recognizable silhouette, consisting of lace-up eyelets, a chunky sole, and a fabric label, is a stone-cold wardrobe classic. Footwear by Doc Martens has been seen on virtually every celebrity – Kendall Jenner, Rihanna, and Kaia Gerber, to name a few.
Now, Doc Martens is known for more than just its boots. Its shoes and sandals are seriously popular – plus, even vegans can get in on the action since the brand introduced vegan leather to its product line.
1- Monochrome moment
All-black looks are a great way of adding a touch of gothic glamour to your wardrobe repertoire this season. Black needn’t be boring – it’s a classic shade for a reason, and we love the combination of a chic trench, straight-leg trousers, a luxury crossbody, and platform Doc Martens.
2- Retro leg warmers
Whether it’s the upcoming Whitney Houston biopic or Bella Hadid’s fondness for the Balletcore trend that has got us seriously considering leg warmers, we’re into it. Add warmth to your winter wardrobe by styling a pair of chunky sole D.M.s with leg warmers and sheer tights.
3- Linen suit
Heavy-duty Doc Martens can look stylish tucked into lightweight trousers, giving off a baggy trouser fit. Instead, opt for a cheery shade like this deep lilac for an ultra-summery style moment.
4- Utilitarian skirt
The footwear style started with its practicality as its main selling point – why not channel that original purpose and pair your Doc Martens with a neutral utilitarian midi skirt?
5- Belted Maxi Coat
Dress down your belted maxi coat with straight-leg jeans and some low-rise D.M.s for a look that exudes off-duty cool.
6- Dressing it down
The floaty midi dress is a summer staple. Still, sometimes a minimalistic sandal or a chunky trainer just won’t cut it. Instead, pair a loose-fitting silhouette with platform Doc Martens for a seamless blend of contrasting styles for that extra edge.
7- Crisp coord
There’s not much out there that we love more than a summer co-ord, and crisp white is always a chic choice. We love a blunt bob with 70s-style shades and layered silver chains – but best of all, the platform Doc Martens show off the split trouser hem, and we’re very into it.
8-Of-the-moment accessories
It wouldn’t be a Hello! Fashion article without the mention of a classic bucket hat. This fluffy beige design by Levi’s pairs well with a timeless Louis Vuitton shoulder bag, giving off a definite Y2K vibe. The ultra-flattering flared jeans hang perfectly over chunky sole Doc Martens, tying the ensemble together.
How To Wear Your Doc Marten’s With Anything?
Love it or hate it, the 2014 Tumblr aesthetic is back. To quote The 1975’s footman, Matty Healy, while headlining the Reading Festival 2022 in the U.K.: “Wow, the ’75 and Arctic Monkeys in the same weekend. So get your Dr. Martens, fishnets, vinyl, and Tumblr aesthetics — get ’em all out!” With those two Tumblr-era bands releasing new music soon, along with Taylor Swift, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Sky Ferreira, we’re officially re-embracing Mumblecore.
And as much as Docs fit snugly into the 2014 soft grunge revival, the truth is that the iconic English footwear brand will never go out of style, which is why you should know how to wear Dr. Martens for every occasion.
In recent years, platform shoes and combat boots have had a big moment in the style zeitgeist. They can be found on red carpets, at fashion weeks (most recently the Vogue World Runway), in street style, and in many TikTok fit checks. “Who doesn’t want a classic and timeless black boot to style their favorite fits with?” style content creator Marie Eriksson tells NYLON.
“Especially nowadays, when people are becoming more aware of their shopping habits and would rather shop sustainably for timeless, quality fashion pieces that they can re-wear again and again.”
Docs transcend trends partly because they are incredibly durable and last years, if not decades, given that they were originally designed as workwear boots. “I think that a lot of people are looking to simplify their wardrobe in a way that will last them years instead of a season or two — not just in terms of style, but also with quality and durability in mind,” fashion content creator Erika Dwyer tells NYLON.
“I purchased my first pair of Dr. Martens with this exact intention, to have a reliable boot that went with endless outfits in my wardrobe.”
Dwyer and Eriksson agree we’ll see even more pairs of Docs in the coming season due to the rise in grunge, punk, and goth-style aesthetics. “They are especially trendy right now due to the resurface of the ‘Tumblr grunge’ aesthetic,” Eriksson says.
“‘Preppy grunge’ is another trend believed to be very popular this fall, an aesthetic where Dr. Martens would fit right in since they’re perfect for dressing both preppy and grunge! But to be fair, I think they fit pretty much all fashion styles.”
Everyone knows that Docs are the fall season shoe, but wearing them all year round is quite easy, given that the heavy-sole, yellow-thread shoes are arguably one of the most versatile. Here’s what the experts say about styling timeless kicks no matter the season.
How To Style Dr. Martens For Cold Weather?
In recent years, platform shoes and combat boots have had a big moment in the style zeitgeist. They can be found on red carpets, at fashion weeks (most recently the Vogue World Runway), in street style, and in many TikTok fit checks. “Who doesn’t want a classic and timeless black boot to style their favorite fits with?” style content creator Marie Eriksson tells NYLON.
“Especially nowadays, when people are becoming more aware of their shopping habits and would rather shop sustainably for timeless, quality fashion pieces that they can re-wear again and again.”
Docs transcend trends partly because they are incredibly durable and last years, if not decades, given that they were originally designed as workwear boots. “I think that a lot of people are looking to simplify their wardrobe in a way that will last them years instead of a season or two — not just in terms of style, but also with quality and durability in mind,” fashion content creator Erika Dwyer tells NYLON. “I purchased my first pair of Dr. Martens with this exact intention, to have a reliable boot that went with endless outfits in my wardrobe.”
Dwyer and Eriksson agree we’ll see even more pairs of Docs in the coming season due to the rise in grunge, punk, and goth-style aesthetics. “They are especially trendy right now due to the resurface of the ‘Tumblr grunge’ aesthetic,” Eriksson says.
“‘Preppy grunge’ is another trend believed to be very popular this fall, an aesthetic where Dr. Martens would fit right in since they’re perfect for dressing both preppy and grunge! But to be fair, I think they fit pretty much all fashion styles.”
Everyone knows that Docs are the fall season shoe, but wearing them all year round is quite easy, given that the heavy-sole, yellow-thread shoes are arguably one of the most versatile. Here’s what the experts say about styling timeless kicks no matter the season.
How To Style Dr Martens For Warm Weather?
Because Dr. Martens are so versatile, you can pair them with any warm-weather staple: skirts, dresses, shorts, and so on. “My favorite way to style my Dr. Martens is with a feminine outfit,” Dwyer says. “I love the balance Docs create, especially the Jadon, with the weighty, elevated platform offsetting what might be lace and a soft color palette. I will never get sick of seeing Dr. Martens styled in a moody, preppy style like dark academia.”
Eriksson shares a similar sentiment regarding wearing Docs with sunny day outfits. One of the best things about styling combat boots is the ability to play with hard and soft aesthetics. “I adore the contrasting look with an edgier boot paired with a feminine summer dress,” she says.
“Dr. Martens will give you a whole other statement element [and] vibe to your look, which is something sneakers never could. So dare to embrace it and just get creative with your summer styling.” For the spring and summer, she recommends everything from Dr. Martens with feminine floral skirts and dresses to denim sets, blazer looks, and oversized graphic t-shirts.
Just note that wearing Docs under the sun will reduce the heat. “Dr. Martens do a pretty good job at keeping your feet warm, so pairing it with an item that allows for airflow around the legs is key when wearing them in higher temps,” Dwyer adds.
How To Style Dr Martens For Casual Outfits?
When it comes to Docs, casual outfits are the shoes’ forte. “Dr. Martens are perfect for a casual look because they’re already giving off that vibe,” Eriksson says. “It’s kind of like wearing sneakers, really easy to dress down [and] casual, but harder to dress up, I would say.” She loves styling them with jeans and trousers for an effortlessly chic and casual look.
“I think I love Docs with casual outfits the most because that is how I wear them 90% of the time,” Dwyer says. “It is hard to do anything wrong when styling your Dr. Martens casually.”
Her easy go-to is a baby tee, jeans, and a vintage shoulder bag with Docs. Still, she’s partial to long white flowy skirts, plaid mini skirts as the ultimate way to go, and mini skirts over sheer black tights circa 2014 Tumblr grunge.
“What Converse was to dress in the mid-2000s is what I feel Docs are to dress now,” Dwyer says. “You can wear them with any dress, and it adds an edge — my advice would be to include other accessories to the look that match the vibe of the shoes.”
How To Style Dr Martens For Going-out Outfits?
Since Dr. Martens are almost the antithesis of formalwear, dressing them up for a going-out look might require you to think a little harder about your outfit. “The easiest way to balance the casual vibe out is to add a clothing piece or accessory that we associate with ‘dressed up,’ which could be a matching set, an elegant dress, or something structured like a blazer,” Eriksson says.
“You can also play with colors; a monochrome look (especially in neutrals) is usually more associated with ‘luxury’ and being ‘dressed up.’
Another trick could be to add some accessories or add some matching elements to your outfit.” Dwyer agrees, seconding the monochrome and menswear aesthetics as ways to make outfits with Dr. Martens look more refined and put together. “I like to go for an all-black moment when dressing up my Docs, as I feel like it looks a little more polished,” says Dwyer.
“I also like to feature more luxe textures like silk or leather to elevate the look. The oversized suit and Docs look a great option to dress up Dr. Martens if you don’t want to opt for a dress — I think the tailored look with the grungy feel of Docs is a great pair.”
The thing about styling Dr. Martens is that you really can’t go wrong. Sure, they’re uber-trendy right now, but they’ll also be just as cool in a few years — and not to mention still intact, which is more than lots of other trendy footwear can say. “Since they are so versatile, my advice would be to stay true to your authentic personal style and dare to experiment,” Eriksson says. “I promise you, Dr. Martens will fit any aesthetic or fashion look you want.”
FAQ’s
Can you wear Dr. Martens casually?
Dr. Martens are ideal for a casual outfit because shoes already exude that feel, according to Eriksson. It’s similar to wearing shoes in that it’s simple to seem casual but challenging to dress up. She enjoys pairing them with both jeans and pants for a style that is both casual and effortlessly stylish.
Why are Doc Martens so trendy?
Despite the decline, Doc Martens have been able to attract additional customers because to well-known celebrities donning the iconic shoes for a purpose other than what was initially intended—fashion. Their new vegan line, which uses only materials from sources other than animals, has also contributed to their recent success.
Can you wear Doc Martens with skinny jeans?
Doc Martens look great with skinny jeans. For the most aesthetically pleasing proportions, make sure to tuck your thin pants into your shoes. You should balance out the extremely narrow look that wearing docs with skinny jeans provides with one piece that is looser.
Why is it so hard to walk in Doc Martens?
The boot is too small if it is uncomfortable when you try it on, especially in the width. When you break in your Docs, they will soften and stretch – for more details, see our size chart.
Are Doc Martens going out of style?
The go-to shoe that always makes a fashion statement will remain Martens. See how some of our favourite celebrities, like Willow Smith, Bella Hadid, Da Lipa, and many more, have worn Dr. Martens over the years, whether you’re trying to live out your pop-punk fantasies or simply want to dress with flair.
How long do Doc Martens last?
Many Dr. Marten’s boot wearers swear to their boots lasting up to 20 years or even longer, and they are renowned for their sturdiness. With the highest quality leather or a vegan alternative that has been extensively tested for strength, Dr. Martens boots can last a lifetime with proper maintenance.