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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:
ChaToilLeam · 07/01/2025 07:42

Bloody love DMs and I‘m 53. She just sounds silly and bitchy. Wear the hell out of them and stomp on her toes if she ever makes a peep!

Fun fact: they were first manufactured only half a mile from where I live!

randomchap · 07/01/2025 07:41

Since they moved manufacture overseas I've found the quality not quite as good.

However, if you want to wear them then wear them. Other people with their mutton dressed as lamb comments can fuck right off

Joystir59 · 07/01/2025 07:39

I'm in my late sixties and would wear DMs. They are ageless

Howinthehelldidthishappen · 07/01/2025 07:36

I'm closer to 50 than 40, and I have loads of DM's. Love them.
Wear whatever the fuck makes you happy!

Sparxdislike · 07/01/2025 07:36

She sounds awful! Of course 42 isn't old. Get the boots and ignore the vile neighbour.

Tumblingthrough · 07/01/2025 07:35

DM’s are something I associate with older people tbh, along with statement necklaces.

I therefore avoid both but that’s purely my thoughts, possibly influenced by others I’ve seen. Only my opinion and you should wear whatever you like.

GrammarTeacher · 07/01/2025 07:33

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?!

I’m 46 and have no intention of stopping wearing my DMs any time soon.

faffadoodledo · 07/01/2025 07:28

AmusedMaker · 07/01/2025 07:10

I associate DM’s with the older generation tbh.

ignore her. I’m 61 & have had a few pairs over the years, I started to find them a bit uncomfortable though.

It may not be you; it may be the shoes. Honestly, they're not as good as they used to be.

5128gap · 07/01/2025 07:26

Tell her she's too old to be banging on about 'Street credibility' and you stopped worrying about that when you left your teens.

BriceNobeslovesMurielHeslop · 07/01/2025 07:25

I’m 42 and have a silver glitter pair (they get worn for casual Christmas engagements)
I have heard that Solovair are the company who used to make DMs so might be better if you’re looking for a lifetime investment, but if you want DMs OP, you get them and rock them!

Soccermumamir · 07/01/2025 07:23

Absolutely not! I'm 41 and adore my Dr Martens. They go with any outfit which is perfect 🙂

Aethelthryth · 07/01/2025 07:20

I'm nearly 60. I have three pairs and wear them a lot.

jannier · 07/01/2025 07:16

My nearly 80 year old aunt wears them.

MaggieBsBoat · 07/01/2025 07:14

I was that idiot in my early 30s. Then I got to my 40s and realised (thank goodness) that women can wear what the fuck we like and the last thing we should be doing is judging other women.

Plus, they’re boots, not an itsy bitsy teeny weeny sparkly boob tube designed for a 14 year old.

Winterskyfall · 07/01/2025 07:14

You aren't too old at 42, she sounds unpleasant and ageist. Doc Martens have been around forever, they aren't limited to a specific demographic. I wore them 25 years ago and if I wanted to wear them now I would.

whiteroseredrose · 07/01/2025 07:13

Good grief. They are sensible boots. Ignore the fool.

StoorieHoose · 07/01/2025 07:13

Who cares what she thinks is. Get the DMs!

aCatCalledFawkes · 07/01/2025 07:11

I’m 46yrs and have just brought my fist pair of DMs since my teenage years.
Spent December going in to the London office in cheap boots and decided I needed to do better as my feet were next burning. I can’t wait to wear them out. So far they feel very great.

AmusedMaker · 07/01/2025 07:10

I associate DM’s with the older generation tbh.

ignore her. I’m 61 & have had a few pairs over the years, I started to find them a bit uncomfortable though.

CaptainMyCaptain · 07/01/2025 07:06

Ignore her

KeepinOn · 07/01/2025 07:04

I grew up wearing grunge style clothes, I will never feel too old to wear docs.

WoahThreeAces · 07/01/2025 07:03

Lol, firstly I hate the "too old to wear" anything really! Wear what you want!

But DMs aren't a young person fashion... I would say they are definitely favoured by older people!
They were for young people in the 90s, and now worn by people who were young people in the 90s 😂

I have several pairs, I'm late 40s. I definitely consider them to be the fashion of people my age, not young and trendy at all! I'd be surprised to see them on teenagers or folk in their 20s.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 07/01/2025 07:03

Of course people in their 50s and 60s wear DMs.

They're very nearly broken in by now.

faffadoodledo · 07/01/2025 07:02

All ages wear them.
If anything it's older people who have the greater claim since we wore them in our youth!

My problem with them is the quality these days. Buy Solovair for better quality (they used to make Doc soles before DM shipped out to the Middle East). Plus I think the detailing on Solovair is better. They also don't scream ubiquitous brand. But yeah - quality quality quality... go for that but with a similar look to DMs.

foodtoorder · 07/01/2025 07:01

Never too old for DM's.