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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:
ManchesterLu · 06/01/2025 23:45

Nobody is ever too old to wear anything they want. It's none of our business what other people wear.

Snugglemonkey · 06/01/2025 23:43

I am 44 and have a dm collection.

MistressoftheDarkSide · 06/01/2025 23:43

Hahaha...... nearly 56. Currently rocking the DM biker style ones. Hands down the most comfortable and durable boots I've had in years - in fact I've been wearing these every day for nearly 4 years.

And I still - shock horror - occasionally wear New Rocks. She'd have an absolute conniption if she met me 😂

SinnerBoy · 06/01/2025 23:42

I had them as shoes and boots as a teenager, but gave them up, as the soles wore out, or the leather split. But if you want to wear them, do; and spurn her and her wizened personality.

I've just come back from a holiday in Poland and I saw plenty, from women in their early 20s to their 60s.

If you like them, get some!

Fozzleyplum · 06/01/2025 23:41

I'm 56 and have 4 pairs of DM boots. What's more, I wear them to work (lawyer) because there's no way I'm walking around London in shoes that hurt my feet.

Randomontheinternet25 · 06/01/2025 23:40

@nonbinaryfinery that's what I said and got told I was raining in op's parade !

DeepRoseFish · 06/01/2025 23:40

So you aren’t even a decade older than her and you’re mutton dressed as lamb??? She sounds like a right cow

SeaUrchinHat · 06/01/2025 23:39

She obviously has no style. Maybe she’s envious of yours OP?

Newnamehiwhodis · 06/01/2025 23:38

Oh good lord, what a horrible attitude she has! I’m 51 and I just got the Wednesday Addams platforms, and I absolutely love them.
they're the iconic shoes of Gen X.

your neighbor is no fun, and really quite rude !

nonbinaryfinery · 06/01/2025 23:38

I am almost 48 years old and I have a pair of docs that I love, however they don't make them quite the way they used to. They were sold off in 2013, and the quality has gone down.

HOWEVER

Have a read of this

My next pair are gonna be Solovairs.

Solovair's best-selling derby boots.

Inside the British Shoe Factory That’s Produced the World’s Toughest Work Boots Since 1881

The British brand has been crafting hard-wearing shoes and work boots using traditional techniques since 1881.

https://robbreport.com/style/footwear/solovair-original-work-boots-1234745090/

TurquoiseDress · 06/01/2025 23:37

NEVER too old for DMs!!

Bugger what she thinks...I say don't give a flying one!

Grin
DramaAlpaca · 06/01/2025 23:36

I'm 60 and love mine. I can't imagine being too old for them.

StarDolphins · 06/01/2025 23:36

I’m older than you & wear DM boots all winter & DM sandals in the summer. Never too old for DM’s ever!

Brody021 · 06/01/2025 23:35

You’re never too old to wear anything you feel comfortable in!!! Just wondering who made your neighbor judge and jury of the fashion world. Buy them and make sure she sees them on you.

DaftyLass · 06/01/2025 23:34

My mil in her 80s wears dr Martin because she has trouble with her feet.
Can't think anyone notices really

LoserWinner · 06/01/2025 23:33

I bought a pair of Docs two days ago. I’m mid-60s.

They are comfortable, wear well and look good, and although not cheap, they will last for years. No-one is too old for good value footwear.

Discobooloo · 06/01/2025 23:32

47 and three pairs!

Certain ones can feel heavy and take some getting used to, so be careful with the platform ones. Never heard of the back thing, heard of it with crocs though but they should never leave the house!

Randomontheinternet25 · 06/01/2025 23:31

@sloecat I would say that's pretty poor for a pair of boots that retail £100+

To think I'm not "too old to wear Dr martens"...
To think I'm not "too old to wear Dr martens"...
curious79 · 06/01/2025 23:30

next she'll be telling you 50 year old women can't wear bikinis and 6o year olds can't wear short skirts.

Chuck out the rules and get your chunky boots, particularly if it'll help with sciatica!!!

ColinOfficeTrolley · 06/01/2025 23:30

Bought my first pair of Chelsea boot DM's at the grand old age of 47.

They're one of my favourite things I've ever bought. I wear the ALL the time. For work and for pleasure.

I also was worried that I was too old for platform converse, but I bought a pair and they are soooo comfy. I love them.

I don't really care what anyone thinks.

Wear them with pride!!

Flomingho · 06/01/2025 23:29

Ignore her. I am 45 and still wear DMs. Can't see myself stopping wearing them anytime soon

BlueWalker · 06/01/2025 23:29

I'm a good few years older than you and still wear them. I don't give a hoop what anyone else thinks, I know I look good in them. That's the joy of being this old; only my opinion of what I wear and how I look counts, and I happen to like me aesthetically speaking.

DuesToTheDirt · 06/01/2025 23:28

I'm much older than you and wear DMs, and I get lots of compliments on them.

Fillybuster · 06/01/2025 23:26

51, 2 pairs at the moment, plus a semi-retired pair of knee high zip up buckle ones I bought when DC2 was born ( they’re about to turn 17) which are crumbling slightly from too many muddy festivals. Been wearing docs on and off since I was 15 and don’t intend to stop any time soon. Youngest dc (14) just bought their first pair. No such thing as too old or too young (although I’m a bit sneery about people who spend lots of money on kids DMs considering how fast they outgrow them, so maybe I’m also a bit U!)

Illinoise · 06/01/2025 23:25

DMs are a shoe anyone can wear at any age. If I saw a 70/80 year old in them I wouldn’t bat an eyelid. To be fair these days ‘being too big old to wear something’ is really dying out, thank goodness.