To Think it's Fine to Wear DrMartens as an Older Woman?

[itsnotmeitsu]

I'm not going to say my age (for i.d. purposes), but I am getting on. I bought my first pair of DrMarten boots this year and now I own five pairs of Doc Marten footwear. I wear them with anything and everything, eg jeans, skirts, dresses, and it doesn't matter whether I'm dressed up or down; I wear them. I used to be so wrapped up in how I looked [thank god this was before the age of the internet], but now nobody is going to be admiring me for my looks at my age (except perhaps to say, she looks good for an elderly woman).

I had a period of knowing I was now invisible, as far as the 'male gaze' was concerned. I was middle-aged, and then I went through the menopause. Once I got over that thing of not providing what was needed from a woman by society it freed me up. If I love what I'm wearing than I'm happy in myself when I'm out and about. Far rather have people look at me and think, 'What does she look like', than sit around blending into the background with a male short haircut and clothing designed for women 'of a certain age'.

DMs are for anybody and everybody. They always look OK.

Short haircuts are for anybody too mind you, they aren't just 'male'.

DMs are pretty unremarkable. Can't imagine your older feet wearing them would create a stir.

Wear what you like.

I wouldn’t be seen dead in them at any age.

DMs are pretty unremarkable. Can't imagine your older feet wearing them would create a stir.

I agree. I'm not sure anyone would even notice to be honest.

I would wear my DMs but my 14 year old keeps nicking them!

@IaltagDhubh

I had to give up on DMs at 35. They’re so heavy, my hips were in agony and I was walking like a 95 year old. I’ve been on the look out for a decent lightweight replacement ever since. Couldn’t care less what anyone else thinks of how I look, but I don’t want to be in pain for the sake of an outfit.

I’ve been wearing Heavenly Feet boots. Love them

"Far rather have people look at me and think, 'What does she look like',"

No one thinks this. Docs are hardly "out there", they're firmly in the mainstream for people of all ages. Even boring middle aged women with short manly haircuts, like me.

Yabu. Solovair over Docs all the way! UK made, brilliant customer service, properly made by hand rather than mass produced abroad.

If you like the look, great, but DMs are not what they used to be.

Everyone I know who has DMs talks about having to break them in before they’re comfortable, which seems to me to be no different than high heels. It’s a statement just as much as that you profess to rebel against. Embrace your inner Hotter. Then you will be truly free.

My DMs are the same ones I’ve lived in since the 90s. It never even occurred to me that anyone would have an issue with it.

Most of the people I see wearing them have been wearing them for decades, in many cases literally the same pair(s).

I bought my 70yo Mum DM's last Christmas after she admired mine on several occasions.

To the previous poster who mentioned her, I think Cathi Rae us in her 70s. She is so fabulous and inspiring 🙂

I am 62 and wear DM look-a-likes (lighter weight and softer). I love expressing myself (and myself isn’t conservative) through clothes 😀

@IaltagDhubh

I had to give up on DMs at 35. They’re so heavy, my hips were in agony and I was walking like a 95 year old. I’ve been on the look out for a decent lightweight replacement ever since. Couldn’t care less what anyone else thinks of how I look, but I don’t want to be in pain for the sake of an outfit.

Fly London.

Mine are heading into their third winter

@LowbrowVictoriana

I hope the YABU people come on to explain themselves. Why shouldn't OP (or anyone else) love DMs?

Because they're of very poor quality these days since production was moved abroad. Until Griggs shifted production to China they lasted years, these days they wear out in six months, they're basically mass produced shoes at handmade prices.

Hope that helps?

The TikTok woman is greyhairandtattoos. She looks fab and I think she's mid 50s.

DDs both have DM shoes now, and frankly I was more surprised that they are still fashionable for Gen Z teenagers than that someone from Gen X would wear them.

I've just bought a lovely white pair of DMs. Facebook marketplace is great for cheap 2nd hand hardly used pairs.

I'm 65 and wear Docs. I don't need anybody's permission to do so. Likewise if other women want "a male short haircut and clothing designed for women 'of a certain age" that's their perogative.

Because they're of very poor quality these days since production was moved abroad. Until Griggs shifted production to China they lasted years, these days they wear out in six months, they're basically mass produced shoes at handmade prices

Hope that helps?

Yes, it does thanks! There was a YABU rating of something in the teens when I posted, yet no explanation why. I was curious, rather than irked as I may have come across!

I hope you're at least a little wrong, as I've just bought some (thankfully 2nd hand) DMs myself 😬

I have a thing about DM Chelsea boots.

I found the womens version 10 times less comfortable than the mens ones (the 2976 Wintergrip - they say they're unisex but my eye are they, you have to go down a whole size FFS) so I bought the mens ones which are gloriously bouncy with no breaking in.

It's absolutely infuriating that women's boots have so much crappier soles than men's ones, even in DMs.

I was never a fan of DM's when I was a student and they were cheap and trendy, now they just seem to be hideously expensive. I don't think it's a big deal anyone of any age wearing them though, they're just a pair of boots.

I have a friend in her 70s - she is always nicely dressed but she certainly doesn't dress like she's in her 70s - I think she always looks great.

If you want to wear the DMs wear them!

Yanbu to wear what you like.

Yabu to criticise and judge other people on their hair and clothes.

I hope other women (and men for that matter) dress as they please and I don’t expect them to conform to what I like to wear.

Wear whatever the fuck you want, whatever age you are.