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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:
moomindragon · 07/01/2025 09:01

What? No one is too old for DM's. They are very practical shoes. Not exactly stiletto high heels.

coldscottishmum · 07/01/2025 08:59

Ignore her. Wear whatever you like!

Jinglejanglenamechanged25 · 07/01/2025 08:59

Her them and when you see hear great her with a cheery ‘lovely day to be dressed at lamb!’

bryceQ · 07/01/2025 08:55

Absolutely nonsense.

She sounds charming

CchompShopper · 07/01/2025 08:54

DMs are timeless

No age limit

Lurkingandlearning · 07/01/2025 08:52

Another one cross on your behalf. I’m glad you’re not put off by her nonsense. Hopefully you won’t hear much from her going forward.

I like telling people like that, that I admire their confidence with an incredulous look on my face that tells them I can’t imagine what they base it on.

Nevergettheusername · 07/01/2025 08:50

nobody is ever too old for DMs

six666 · 07/01/2025 08:50

I'm 74, still wear doc martens!

NameChangedOfc · 07/01/2025 08:50

They are a classic. Youcan never be too old to wear a classic!

EnterFunnyNameHere · 07/01/2025 08:45

I think there's a type of person who judges others based on what they wear, and a subset of those who think there is such a thing as "mutton dressed as lamb".

None of these people's opinions matter to me thankfully!

SPsmama · 07/01/2025 08:40

My parents wear them, they're in their 60s!

I live in mine and I'm 35. Tbh my whole family live in them cos SIL works for them and gets a hefty discount 🤣

Your neighbour is a cheeky cow - if she's in her mid 30s then she's not even that much younger than you!

PurpleThistle7 · 07/01/2025 08:39

I'm 44 and wear docs most days. With my bright pink tights and rainbow earrings. Am also dyeing my hair purple because I want to 🤷🏻‍♀️

The brilliance for me of hitting middle age is that I literally do not care. I dress to please myself and don't ask anyone else for opinions.

WorriedRelative · 07/01/2025 08:38

I have a family friend who wears them and looks cool in them in her 70s, they are brilliant for her bad knee, keep her feet warm and dry, provide decent grip and are nice and wide. What's not to love? She buys them for her grandkids too.

They are orthopedic shoes. Like Birkenstocks and Dr Scholl. Medical shoes that have been adopted as fashion items.

Wear the DMs, I bloody love mine, regret getting rid of my 1990s ones and certainly won't be giving them up because someone has weird ageist views about forty somethings wearing them.

huuskymam · 07/01/2025 08:24

There's no age limits for docs. My 1 year old grand daughter and 55 year old husband wears them. My gd gets excited wearing hers cause she's matching with grandad 😂😂

wickedbasket · 07/01/2025 08:18

I'm the same age as you and have two pairs!

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 07/01/2025 08:17

faffadoodledo · 07/01/2025 08:06

Spot on @IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads
I did the same. The design details are better too. And it's so nice knowing you're buying into British heritage and quality, but without the ubiquity of Docs. DMs are a bit of a con really these days - less quality, and masquerading as a British icon when in fact they no longer are.

Take a look at Lanx too, OP - v comfy and made in Lancashire. Mine cope with muddy dog walks, and after a polish with dubbin look great with a skirt.

I have tried Lanx, and the factory shop is a morning out for me, but they are just too narrow. I have massive feet!

Tumblingthrough · 07/01/2025 08:17

I wonder if it was the ‘platform’ element she was referring to rather than just the DMs

daffodilandtulip · 07/01/2025 08:11

I'm 45 and wear DMs all winter, Birks all summer and Vans on in between days 🤷🏼‍♀️

faffadoodledo · 07/01/2025 08:06

Spot on @IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads
I did the same. The design details are better too. And it's so nice knowing you're buying into British heritage and quality, but without the ubiquity of Docs. DMs are a bit of a con really these days - less quality, and masquerading as a British icon when in fact they no longer are.

Take a look at Lanx too, OP - v comfy and made in Lancashire. Mine cope with muddy dog walks, and after a polish with dubbin look great with a skirt.

AlbertCamusflage · 07/01/2025 08:03

I'm 61 with two pairs of DMs. They are my absolutely favourite shoes and and they will have to be prised from my cold dead feet even if I die at 105.

Of course some DMs are wacky and showy enough to be a bit of an unusual choice for anyone past 25 (but still an absolutely acceptable niche preference for whatever woman of any age wants to wear them). But plenty of them are pretty mainstream. Just adorably chunky and comfy.

I have a pair of Mary Jane style black DMs with a thick (but not crazy thick sole) and I can't imagine any one batting an eye at them. They are soooo comfy and make me soooo happy.

randomchap · 07/01/2025 07:56

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 07/01/2025 07:54

I moved onto Solovair boots in my 50s, but not because of my age, but because DM quality nosedived when they moved production overseas. Solovair was founded by staff who bought the old DM factory in Notts, and still make the boots and shoes there by hand. Mine are in their 3rd winter and still look new, but just get more comfortable every year.

They look really good. Might have to save up for a pair. Thanks

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 07/01/2025 07:54

I moved onto Solovair boots in my 50s, but not because of my age, but because DM quality nosedived when they moved production overseas. Solovair was founded by staff who bought the old DM factory in Notts, and still make the boots and shoes there by hand. Mine are in their 3rd winter and still look new, but just get more comfortable every year.

CeratopsofthePharoahs · 07/01/2025 07:54

I love my DMs! Got a pair of black boots with the thick softer soles and they're bloody comfy. Got the Eevie DM shoes for Christmas and they're excellent too. DH can confirm as I accidentally trod on his toe in them.

Iwantmyoldnameback · 07/01/2025 07:45

That's such an old fashioned thing to say, doesn't look like she has much "street cred" herself.

Autumndayz77 · 07/01/2025 07:43

Admittedly im not very trendy, but I live in dr marten boots or sandles and I’m 42. My friendship group are similar ages and also wear them because they are comfy and we all like walking etc.