Dr. Martens are the kind of shoe you either love or you hate. The tough, heavy-duty aesthetic is far from beautiful or glamourous but they can add an unexpectedly cool and sometimes, even sexy attitude to an outfit.
Daisy Lowe for Dr. Martens, 2008photo courtesy cherryflava.com
The first Doc Martens came out on April 1, 1960 in the U.K and were at first worn mostly by postmen and factory workers. During the late 60s and 70s, they also became the footwear of choice for various rebellious youth subcultures such as punks and skinheads. The boots were also hugely popular with the grunge kids of the 90s.
photo courtesy acs.bgUnfortunately, as time went on, people began to lose interest in the brand and sales took a turn for the worst with the company eventually being forced to cease all production in the U.K in 2003.
More recently, however, things have been looking up for Dr. Martens as fashionable eyes are once again taking notice of the boots. They have been seen everywhere; on the runway, in magazines, and on the feet of many stylish girls and guys around the world.
photos courtesy media.collegepublisher.com, childhoodflames.blogspot.comand fashionation.wordpess.com
This year, Dr. Martens is also giving people around the world the chance to showcase their artistic talents by creating a design for their next boots.
You are given the choice of either the 8-hole or the 14-hole boots, as seen above, and the freedom to decorate them as you wish.
You can upload an original design onto the site or there are a bunch of tools at your disposal such as pens and spray paint, so you can create your entries online. There are also really cool effects you can add, such as lighter burns, correction fluid and masking tape to give the design a distressed finish.
At the end of it, two winners are chosen; one of which is decided by the public and the other is chosen by industry professionals. The winning designs will be manufactured by Dr. Martens and sold in shops worldwide.
Below are the designs of the two previous winners: Jeremy Asher Lynch and Aprille Soons Palmer, respectively.
Even if you're not a Dr. Martens enthusiast, you'll still have a lot of fun coming up with ideas and playing around with the tools. You never know, it may be your entry chosen to be made and sold to millions of people everywhere!
Click here to start creating your design or click here to go to the Dr. Martens home page.
48 comments:
Danz, you are just sooooooooo gifted! Only you can explain Dr. Martens this well! You have shown the versatile styles that we can play with the boots, seriously! For this alone, I've just adore the boots!
Always amazing posts... love it xxxxxx
Danz, my darling, I'm so touched that you feel me like one of your blogger friends, I'm happy because I feel the same about you :D
Also thanks for your nice and kind compliments, you're a sweetie, I'm not sure if I deserve them.
Well hun, my English is a bit poor to always say something new about your posts, I just can use the same words...
Great post, very informative and you did a great work of research.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
Who knows... maybe we'll have a winner from your blog ;)
I haven't any skills for drawing but I think I will go there and play a bit... If I got the time...
Love dear
xoxo
i love em, love em, love em!!!
too bad they're much too far out of my budget!!! i always look for them when I go thrifting :P
I've always wanted a pair of Dr. Martens, but I feel like they're look funny on me, I'm only 5 ft! I love them nonetheless.
I love them..but mine are so plain and pretty beat up.
Thanks for the comment. You made a good point. Glad you noticed that.
haha. I AM WEARING DOCS NOW. i love em.
check out my last post.
wanna trade links?
www.commeunrenard.blogspot.com
love LIKE A FOX. xo.
well, i'm amongst Dr. Martin enthusiasts. so, i, feel a bit timid to give my fashion take. although, one of my boyfriends clients gave him a pair, and being the poor student, i wore them as snow boots, which because it snowed constantly throughout the winter, they turned out to be my everyday shoes. They were great. excellent quality.
& I must admit, i do like the designed dr. martins. although, i'm thinking they need to be a little fatter or something. ok! fine I said it! They seem too flat.
ok ramble and semi rant over.
danz xxxxxxx
i love docs but my feet are already too big to pull them off
This is really well written! Nice post, I think I might go and try to design my own pair of docs now. Great job!
there ya go hun bun, already linked you up on my page
and thanks for the comments! When my mom first bought the dress, she shortened it and put in that gold piping. She's brilliant with clothes and style.
I got it from my momma. Literally. Lol!
Hi danz- a great post as usual and I must admit I love them! I did have a pair of 8 hole dms, but they really did rub and were uncomfy so the charity shop got them!!Have a lovely week, Danz!
I've never really thought of Dr. Martens, but I don't they look bad, but it's hard for a regular girl to wear! But this is a great post!
Nice shoes ))) And very interesting post, thanks for posting this ))
I like Dr.Martens, when I was a child I had lots of them, but now I would like only a couple.
I posted about the freedom to design a couple of months back and it scares me Danz, I worry I wont be happy with the result. I guess its about being brave right? xf
Thank you for your nice comment =)
Wow. The design competition is a fabulous way to rejuvenate the brand!
I have a pair of DocMartens...they're satin black, so cool, and can give a hint of rock and roll to a "white dress look", carefully of course.
Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog. I'll add you to my blog list, of course!
L
Doc. Martens don't exactly fit my style but I have seen so many girls pull them off beautifully.
Random but every time I read a post of yours I wonder how much time you spend researching for it and editing. Amazing.
i can never learn how to wear these!
but alot of girls already looked fab wearing them!.. :)
always a great post!
This post made me want a pair!
I think my favortite docs where the white on black laces. So cute. Love your header picture btw:)
xCC
I believe that the "ROCK'n'roll-esque Feline in the yellow Dress" is the fantastic Erin Wasson, and She Wonderfully wears "Dr Martens" !!!!
ps: YES !!! OK for the link : I make him at once !!!
A Bientôt, Antoine
What can I say? I used to have a pair about a-hundred and fitty years ago. I loved them when I was in my rebellious artist days. I wore them with a skirt and suit jacket to an art opening I was showing in. Tre' cool.
Your post is very inspiring. It's nice to know that I'm not alone when it comes to research. Sometimes my word numbers are high but I believe (like you do, obviously) in knowing what I'm talking about. Even when it comes to fashion and style. I love it and enjoy it, but I'm also very serious about it. I might even try my hand at the design contest.
Love you much, girlie girl.
Another winning post.
I'm not a big fan of them but your post was great !
:)
Yea sure, why not ! :D
Bub! How's you?
I'm glad you enjoyed the makeup post! I just kept telling myself everytime I used the products in the morning - "DO A BEAUTY POST". Finally, I did haha.
I will definitely put a makeup-video on the itinerary. Thats a phenomenal idea. I've got lots to say about application! Good plan, baby D!
Man, I really do love Doc's. I was thinking about picking up a pair, but now I'm going San Francisco on Thursday for my b-day getaway and may find a pair (or maybe something different) there!
Shopshopshopping! YAY!
Have a wonderful day, beautiful.
I love Docs.
there flower printed ones were amazing.
I want patent ones.
-SLCsocialite
I love love love Doc Martens!! Although they don't suit everybody, I think most people can find a style to match their personality and style!
Oh and thank you so much for the lovely comment, I've linked you!
You are right it's camille from AMTN
The white ones are very tempting...
I can't come at the Doc's...too many wannabe's trotting around the streets of Sydney, pretending to be oh-so-cool! this trend is dead in the water.
Very cool post. Thank you. I really enjoyed this one :-)
I used to love Doc Martin but I kinda grew out of it now. But it is cool!
Danz, sure I would love to exchange link with you.
I've always wanted a pair, but don't know where to buy one!!
Sure, we can trade links :) I've added you now on my blogroll.
I found this post about Dr. Martens shoes very informative and interesting :)
cool post!!
what an awesome idea! i love the skully ones that won before.
yes it is the new shoes!but i dont think i can pull off the look of it.
Very cool post. Its true, I think they are a force to be reckoned with and I think the new designs are very spot on!
fabulous post yet again! No wayyyy - I think I might have a go xx
i love dr. martens. my mum hates them. but i hope they won't be too "fashionized", i hope they'll still keep that rebellious feel they had 40, 30 years ago.
i like that first design that won the contest last year. and i also like the daisy lowe ad, even though daisy is pretty much an it girl and representative of the fashion world, i can't help myself.
and yeah, sure i'd like to trade links! i'll add you to my links list in a minute!
I've never been able to dissociate DMs from the skins. I don't want anything to do with the skins, so no DMs for me.
They are cool, though.
dr martens are true brit shoes.. i love em...
brilliant post!
oh how i love my docs. electric blue and puuufect. i have had my eye on the green ones and white ones! maybe one day! great post
xoxo
Very awesome post! I really want a pair too! In dark grey or something. But my bf always associate them wit the skinheads! :/
I saw some bubble gum pink ones and lemon yellow ones, I warmed up to them, but I don't know where I would wear them to.
i remember my first pair of doc martens. i was 10 and pretty cool. haha. no, i just had an older sister who made sure i was her best looking accessory. ;) my second pair were the high boots when i was 12. fast forward to now, i want a pair of pnk one that i can deconstruct and make it my own!
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