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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not understand the obsession

352 replies

youcanthandlethetruth · 16/01/2022 19:58

With DM boots?

I think they are so ugly & chunky. Every time I see them on I think to myself, why would anyone buy them?! They are really masculine looking.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
12
Kelly7889 · 17/01/2022 00:28

@youcanthandlethetruth

With DM boots?

I think they are so ugly & chunky. Every time I see them on I think to myself, why would anyone buy them?! They are really masculine looking.

DMs were worn by "Boot Boys" and Skin Heads when I was young. They were good for fighting in and some had toe caps to protect their feet.

That was the 70s. When an undergraduate in 1990, I saw the posh English Lit girls wearing them. Did they think they looked hard or edgy? LOLOL. Now 30 years later they are still doing it.
They are, by the way, the most uncomfortable boots going. I think they used to have a technology called "Air Walk" but they still took all the skin off your ankles.

MrsPotatoHead22 · 17/01/2022 00:29

I thought DM meant your mother so I put YABU and then I saw you meant Doc Martins and I still think YABU. Grin

Quirkyme · 17/01/2022 00:41

YABU!

Love Docs. Wear them to work sometimes too.

I think it depends on the style of the person wearing them and what they wear them with tbh.

youvegottenminuteslynn · 17/01/2022 00:41

Someone asked if you'd prefer 'everyone to wear six inch heels' and you said "Actually, yes."

What a weird thing to say! I would get it if someone said would you prefer to wear six inch heels all the time and you said yes but why do you give such a shit what other people wear on their feet?!

Weird.

Stinkywizzleteets · 17/01/2022 00:53

What if masculine is the look I’m going for?

What if I’m not in the least bit feminine?

Have all laydeez got to conform with their footwear to keep some internet based foot fetishist happy?

OMG12 · 17/01/2022 08:09

Love DMs. I so wish flats had been in fashion when I was going out on the town. Can’t remember last time I wore heels now. Never flounder them comfy or easy to walk in.

Find boots like DMs help me feel less vulnerable too.

But if people feels better in heels that’s up to them.

People wear things and do lots of things and have lots of interests not for me, but that is the true beauty in us

LactoseTheIntolerant · 17/01/2022 08:25

Are you my mother?! I've got 3 pairs (the last being the knee high ones) I love them, but my mum hates them and feels just like you (she's in her late 70s btw).
Oh and I also lift heavy weights at the gym, I must practically be a man 😂

MarshmallowFondant · 17/01/2022 08:28

@Nat6999

I am looking at the Lenore fur lined Chelsea boots & the 1460 Vonda floral ones. I think the pandemic has increased women's interest since WFH. I can't think of anything worse than tottering around in heels all day, I know I used to when I worked but now can't imagine anything worse.
I have the Lenore ones and can highly recommend. So comfortable.
NinaDefoe · 17/01/2022 08:30

Kelly7889
DMs were worn by "Boot Boys" and Skin Heads when I was young. They were good for fighting in and some had toe caps to protect their feet.
This is true

That was the 70s. When an undergraduate in 1990, I saw the posh English Lit girls wearing them. Did they think they looked hard or edgy? LOLOL. Now 30 years later they are still doing it.
Not just the posh University students in my experience - pretty much everyone.

They are, by the way, the most uncomfortable boots going. I think they used to have a technology called "Air Walk" but they still took all the skin off your ankles.

They are the comfiest boots ever invented. You wear them in with thick socks and after a week or so they fit your feet perfectly. We walked for miles in our DMs!
They also now sell soft leather DMs - these don’t need wearing in. My DC have them.

x2boys · 17/01/2022 08:32

Sadly they are too expensive for me these days ,but I loved my Doc's in the 90,s and 00,s so comfortable and practical.

ECLT · 17/01/2022 08:41

I love Doc Martins, I love that they are chunky, heavy, and masculine. I hate more feminine boots, shoes, and sandals. Just like I hate skirts, dresses, and any top of any description which is feminine, floaty, scoop-necked, low cut, and fitted.
I buy my clothes from the boy's department I like them.

However, I would never find it unreasonable that people would dislike my choices and prefer what I don't like. That's just what they like and you know what OP? That's ok I don't have to get it or understand it and it's still ok.

housemaus · 17/01/2022 08:56

@youcanthandlethetruth

People can’t seriously wear these
Obviously they do, though, don't they, you judgemental goat?
FirewomanSam · 17/01/2022 09:13

I have a pair of not-very-DM-looking DM brogue-style shoes which, no exaggeration, I wore almost every day for four years and they still look pretty much brand new. Barely the faintest scuff or scratch on the leather, and the sole isn’t worn down at all. I don’t know what witchcraft goes into making them but they are genuinely amazing and last forever.

daimbarsatemydogsbone · 17/01/2022 09:17

North South divide.

DMs - London and SE.

Docs - everywhere else.

At least they aren't fucking Converse :)

TrashyPanda · 17/01/2022 09:21

I love my DMs and I’m fast approaching 60.
Got 2 pairs of Chelsea boot and a pair of Adrian tasseled loafers.

They look smart, are comfortable and waterproof. So pretty much everything I look for in footwear.

I don’t do heels. At all. Sketchers and fitflops in the summer.

Comfort is everything for me and I don’t care if others disagree.

Heels are crap for your feet. Everyone knows that.

EmpressSuiko · 17/01/2022 09:23

They’ve been around for years and anyone who was/is into a more alternative style usually owns a pair at least once in their life! They are comfortable, hard wearing and, despite your opinion, they look awesome!
One of the best things about the world is that everyone has their own style that they like, it would be very boring if we all dressed the same!

Bollocks2Covid · 17/01/2022 09:26

They are the only thing that support my arches when I’m on my feet all day, so I couldn’t give a stuff if the OP thinks their ‘masculine’ which they aren’t by the way. But honestly not every woman wants to look like a Barbie doll.

PattyPan · 17/01/2022 09:53

I don’t care about looking masculine but I do think they are really ugly. More to the point I don’t understand why people buy shoes which are a) bad for your feet (thick inflexible soles) and b) are known to need breaking in so you are paying £££ to shred your own feet for several weeks! Truly bizarre imo. Just buy shoes which are good for your feet!

HPLikecraft · 17/01/2022 09:55

@PattyPan

I don’t care about looking masculine but I do think they are really ugly. More to the point I don’t understand why people buy shoes which are a) bad for your feet (thick inflexible soles) and b) are known to need breaking in so you are paying £££ to shred your own feet for several weeks! Truly bizarre imo. Just buy shoes which are good for your feet!
They're not uncomfortable, not are they 'bad for your feet' and the soles aren't inflexible. Presume you've never owned any?
PattyPan · 17/01/2022 10:16

@HPLikecraft I’ve tried them on due to the hype and the fact you can get vegan ones and was really disappointed. They are bad for your feet and very inflexible compared to barefoot shoes, which I exclusively wear now. They are not the natural shape of the foot (rounded toe box, non-zero heel drop, toes curl upwards) and the thick sole which only bends in one place gets in the way of natural movement and sensory feedback from the sole of your foot.

ghostmouse · 17/01/2022 10:20

I think the op might be a man lol

HPLikecraft · 17/01/2022 10:26

Do you really expect DMs (or any other shoe, for that matter) to be comparable to barefoot shoes, @PattyPan?

PattyPan · 17/01/2022 10:33

@HPLikecraft what I said was I can’t understand why people buy them (or indeed OP’s preferred heels) when you could just buy shoes which aren’t bad for you.

HPLikecraft · 17/01/2022 11:26

You actually directly compared the two, @PattyPan "...and very inflexible compared to barefoot shoes..."

Fine if you find them ugly (not sure why you tried them on, then!) but it's not true to say they're 'bad for your feet' or anything else in any sort of absolute way. Different things suit different people; we all have different needs and requirements from footwear. And trying something on momentarily hardly gives you an idea.

I have overpronation and chronic tendonitis in one ankle. I like the support of a boot. I find DMs super comfortable. Barefoot shoes would be bad for my feet. We're all different.

furbabymama87 · 17/01/2022 11:44

@youcanthandlethetruth

I don’t go shopping in heels, so I guess that doesn’t make me stupid Hmm I wear trainers. No need for heels and no need for big clumpy boots
In your opinion. No one's making you wear them are they. One of the great things about life is you can wear whatever you want. Personally I don't really like DMs and wouldn't wear them but I don't give a shit what other people wear.