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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Original poster
Newfoundzestforlife · 06/01/2025 23:17

I know it's so horrible and unnecessary, as was her comment.

OP posts:
Fraaances · 06/01/2025 23:19

She would hate me! I have about five pairs and a couple are close to 30 years old. I’m 52, btw, and have always worn them. Nobody notices what old ducks like me have on my feet anyway!

sloecat · 06/01/2025 23:19

Randomontheinternet25 · 06/01/2025 23:17

There are better quality shoes/boots in a similar style. Solovair etc
Imo DM's are fashion shoes now, pretty ageless but definitely not worth the money.

Another person trying to rain on OP’s parade I see.

afaloren · 06/01/2025 23:20

How incredibly fucking rude of her. No of course you’re not too old but even in some alternate universe where you were, she shouldn’t have said that!

Mittens67 · 06/01/2025 23:20

One of my neighbours is 73 and wears Doc Martins.

HolyPeaches · 06/01/2025 23:21

Put on a pair of your best Docs and boot a massive ass rock at her window. Cow bag.

Closetheblinds · 06/01/2025 23:21

If you feel good, wear it!

Randomontheinternet25 · 06/01/2025 23:21

sloecat · 06/01/2025 23:19

Another person trying to rain on OP’s parade I see.

Show quote history

What? They are not the quality they once were. Would you like a photo of mine? They are less than a year old and hardly touch the floor as I use a mobility scooter.

qazxc · 06/01/2025 23:22

I'm mid forties and wear Docs (or Solovair). My ex boss was in her fifties and wore them. My current colleague is in his sixties and wears them.
You're only too old when you can't bend over to lace them up anymore IMHO.

Supersimkin7 · 06/01/2025 23:22

Bit silly of her.

DMs look better on old codgers.

bert3400 · 06/01/2025 23:22

I'm 57 and love my DM boots... don't worry about what anyone else thinks

Sazzerss · 06/01/2025 23:23

Cheeky bitch.
Just back from being out for dinner and had mine on. Very comfortable they are too.
59 week.

marmaladeandpeanutbutter · 06/01/2025 23:24

I wore dms with a skirt over 40 years ago! I wouldn't hesitate to, if I still owned any of those comfortable ones, and I'm over 60.

Crispynoodle · 06/01/2025 23:25

Blimey I'm 58 and have a yellow and patent pink pair! I also have lilac platform welly style ankle boots!

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.

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!)

DuesToTheDirt · 06/01/2025 23:28

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

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.

Flomingho · 06/01/2025 23:29

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

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!!

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!!!

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"...
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!

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.

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