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Original poster

To think I'm not "too old to wear Dr martens"...

214 replies

Newfoundzestforlife · 06/01/2025 23:10

Just that really.
Told my neighbour (she's mid 30s, I'm 42) that I was looking out for a nice pair of platform dr martens as I've heard the bouncing sole is good for those with back pain (I have sciatica) and she chuckled and said they may be good for my back but not for my street cred as I'd look like mutton dressed as lamb...!
I'm more than a little put out but not put off the idea of docs!
Opinions everyone? Is 42 too old for boots that have been popular with all kinds of different folks since the 1960s?!

OP posts:
PaintedPottery · 07/01/2025 11:58

Mid 50s here and I wear them.

UtterPiffle · 07/01/2025 11:52

I’m 63 and I live in mine, mostly paired with skinny jeans but also with short skirts. I feel sorry for her, having such a dated mindset!

HootyMcBoobs · 07/01/2025 11:24

moonshinepoursthroughmywindow · 07/01/2025 09:53

You're not too old for DMs if you think you have enough time left to survive the long and painful breaking in period.

I would have agreed with this prior to my latest pair which required zero breaking in and are literally the comfiest boots I've ever had from day 1. They are the Jesy brown Docs, zero blisters and like walking on air.
Womens Dark Brown Dr Martens Jesy Heeled Boots | schuh
Just bought another pair in black that go higher up the leg. Tell your friend to eff off OP!

Pleasegodgotosleep · 07/01/2025 11:18

I'm 46 and wearing mine today. As was every second mum in the playground, so if anything they might age you 😂

ItGhoul · 07/01/2025 11:16

Doc Martens are for anyone. All clothes are for anyone, to be honest, but Doc Martens as a brand are literally marketed as a universal classic that anyone can wear. LOADS of people in their 40s, 50s, 60s and older wear them.

Your neighbour is an ignorant cunt who is a) rude and b) doesn't know anything about style.

FWIW I'm in platform Docs at work today and my boss, who is very senior in the organisation, is wearing Doc 1460s. I'm 48 and he's 54.

Neodymium · 07/01/2025 11:12

I don’t know what happened to mine. But I’ve been thinking of buying another pair lately.

also I solely exist in converse. Also 42.

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 07/01/2025 11:11

Buy the boots. And move house.

caramac04 · 07/01/2025 11:08

My son bought me a pair of Chelsea DM’s last Christmas and a cord Levi’s jacket this Christmas. I’m 64 and I think I look fine.

YYURYYUCICYYUR4ME · 07/01/2025 10:03

62 and a variety of DM type boots here - not DM's though, as they hurt my feet and I go for Solovair's, as made in England.

ChessorBuckaroo · 07/01/2025 10:03

She is obviously full of shit. DM's are cool for any age.

BIossomtoes · 07/01/2025 09:59

71 and still wearing my Grenson Nanettes which look almost exactly the same as DMs. Mutton dressed as lamb is such nasty misogynist shit.

EvieTheSchnoz · 07/01/2025 09:55

I'm the same age as you and have about 20 pairs 😁

moonshinepoursthroughmywindow · 07/01/2025 09:53

You're not too old for DMs if you think you have enough time left to survive the long and painful breaking in period.

Floralsofa · 07/01/2025 09:52

My mum wears them at 67!

Fatcaterpillar · 07/01/2025 09:48

I bought mine winter 2023, I was 64.

DELac · 07/01/2025 09:47

The only thing to take away from that conversation is that your neighbour is both stupid and nasty.

Dr Martens are fine at ANY age! I've got one friend and a colleague (both mid fifties) who both wear them regularly and it would never occur to me to think they were 'too old' for them - very odd comment.

Thegoatliesdownonbroadway · 07/01/2025 09:39

My Mum is 90, and she wears DMs, I am in my 60s and I wear DMs. I go about on a kick scooter, and they are great for stopping. I don't think you can be too old to wear something comfortable.

Badknitter · 07/01/2025 09:32

Pope John Paul II was a fan..

Did you know Pope John Paul II once made a foray into the world of fashion?
The Pope surprised many by ordering 100 pairs of Doc Martens boots for himself and Vatican staff, including the Swiss Guards. Yes, you read that right – the Pope had a thing for the classic military-style boots!
Doc Martens, originally designed as work boots, are well-known for their practicality. “The order was placed by the Vatican and they have asked us to supply a number of styles,” confirmed Louise Hurren, a spokesperson for Doc Martens to the Associated Press in 1996. This included the classic eight-eyelet boot and three-eyelet shoes in various colors.
The Pope’s choice placed him in an eclectic group of famous personalities known for donning Doc Martens, including the Dalai Lama.
Pope John Paul II’s venture into something as contemporary and functional as Doc Martens is both intriguing and endearing. It’s interesting to think of the Pope, often seen in his blue slip-on shoes, potentially stomping around in these iconic boots, hidden beneath his papal robes!
It goes to show that sometimes, even popes appreciate a good pair of boots!

Whoarethoseguys · 07/01/2025 09:25

Your neighbour sounds horrible. Ignore her and wear what you want.
She is also of course talking nonsense. Doc Martens are for all ages.

ZipCode · 07/01/2025 09:24

Yeah i think she's making a dig at you generally out of jealousy. She may not even realise it.

Sugargliderwombat · 07/01/2025 09:23

No idea what she's on about and how bloody sad for her. She's going to be miserable on her 40th isn't she!

IlooklikeNigella · 07/01/2025 09:07

I mean obviously she's talking bollocks about the shoes.

But the blatant nastiness of the remark would actually confuse me. Genuinely in your (ahem) shoes I would assume she felt threatened by me for whatever reason and the only way she could attempt to cut me down to size was to remind me she's younger than me.

Very very weird. Avoid her forever if possible.

Viviennemary · 07/01/2025 09:04

They look ridiculous on folk of any age. But young people get away with looking ridiculous.

Annettecurtaintwitcher · 07/01/2025 09:01

I haven’t had a pair of DMs since 1992, but now I want a pair.

Londontown12 · 07/01/2025 09:01

She sounds like a nasty little cow 🐮!!
dr martens classic !! I’m 49 and wear em x