Why Are Doc Martens So Popular?

Ever wondered why are Doc Martens so popular?

This iconic British footwear brand makes hugely popular boots and shoes that are now known worldwide. So how have Doc Martens become a fashion stable and become the footwear phenomenon that we know today?

As a wearer of Doc Martens boots and shoes back in the 80’s I’m going to dive into the history of the company, discuss British culture, and the importance of music in making their footwear one of the most popular shoe brands in the world.

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What are Doc Martens?

Before I begin just in case anyone doesn’t understand what Doc Martens or Dr. Martens as they are also known are then they are a footwear brand that originated in the UK.

Their most popular style is their famous boots which have air-cushioned soles and very distinctive yellow stitching which set them apart from their competitors.

These boots were originally designed by Dr. Klaus Maertens who was a German army doctor in the 40s. The style was refined in the 1960s when the boots became a working-class staple and were primarily worn by factory workers.

Since the 1960s Doc Martens has branched out into shoes and sandals as well as apparel which have a unique style that makes them stand out from other footwear.

When Did Doc Martens Come Out?

So why are Doc Martens so popular?

Well to get an answer to that question you need to look at the history of the brand and how it has developed over the years. If you look at the early 1960s when the brand first created its famous Doc Martens boots the product was aimed at factory workers and postmen in the UK.

The Griggs family took the idea of the air-cushioned soles and developed their boots around that unique feature.

The air-cushioned sole was designed for comfort and the high-quality materials used in the boots were highly durable making them ideal for people working in factories.

Dr Martens had created a boot that was popular not because of fashion or style but because it was practical and could withstand a lot of wear and tear.

Doc Martens Popularity Starts to Grow

Whilst Dr Martens may have expected their boots to stay in factories the general public had other ideas. By the end of the 1960s, Skinheads had started to wear Doc Martens boots as part of their rebellious look.

This subculture had a particularly aggressive look as the youths had short-cropped hair, skinny jeans, and of course those iconic Doc Martens boots. The company which had made shoes and boots for workers was now linked to a “tribe” of people who had a particular look and style.

Now whilst the brand could have ended up being worn by just one subculture the popularity of the boots started to spread. Into the 70’s and 80’s the boots because associated with a whole range of groups of people all with very different looks.

When Were Doc Martens Popular?

From the late 60s until the late 80s Doc Martens exploded onto the fashion scene. They were no longer just boots for workers but footwear that was worn by almost every subculture.

Pete Townshend of The Who famously started to wear them which created the cool factor. Not long after other famous rock stars followed suit. Elton John, Joe Strummer from the Clash, The Sex Pistols, and David Bowie all loved the boots. In fact, Elton John famously wore giant ones in the mid-70s for Tommy when he sang pinball wizard.

Whilst the boots originally came from the UK other rock musicians from around the world picked up on the trend and soon they were being worn in the US and elsewhere.

As with any form of fashion what rock stars are wearing soon becomes worn by the masses and in the late 70s and early 80’s just about every subculture wore them. Punks, Mods, Goths, New Wave and even New Romantics jumped on the bandwagon and soon the boots were everywhere.

As a teen goth, I remember buying my first pairs from Camden Market in London in the early 80s.

There was something about the brand that appealed to every counterculture because they were cheap (back then), durable and associated with rebellion.

It wasn’t until the mid to late 90s that the popularity of the classic boots waned slightly as other shoe brands started to take center stage.

Controversy and The Brand

Being worn by rock stars may add kudos to the brand but it is important to recognise that the brand has been associated with controversy over the years.

Skinheads have been linked to neo-nazi groups and racism, especially in the 70s and 80s which isn’t exactly a great brand image. Whilst rebellion can be seen as cool it isn’t great when it is associated with groups who are known for unacceptable acts.

There was also a period when the boots were also associated with football hooligans as well. Hardly a great image for the brand.

Luckily over the years the Doc Martens brand has shaken off the controversy and is now considered much more mainstream and they have become increasingly popular with all age groups.

Are Doc Martens Cool ?

So when you ask why are Doc Martens so popular the first two answers are because of practicality and because of youth culture. The vast majority of people started to wear them because their classic boots either were durable and easy to work in because they looked cool. This hasn’t changed much over the years.

Whilst there was a waning of interest in the brand from the late 90s they have definitely made a comeback with youths in the current day.

My 15-year-old niece just got a pair of their shoes as well as their boots because they looked cool. The Dr Martens shop where she lives in Adelaide is considered trendy and there will always be a certain group of people who think the boots are the thing to wear.

However, fashions come and go and certain subcultures have certainly looked to other brands as a form of self-expression. Skaters love Vans and Converse whilst Hip Hop culture is all about the sneakers. I generally believe that the Doc Martens classic boots will never be considered uncool or unfashionable because they are now iconic footwear.

The Durability and Quality of The Brand

Dr Martens shoes and boots are also popular because of quality and durability particularly when it comes to the UK-made footwear which comes at a premium.

When you buy their leather boots you are buying a product that is going to last even if you are wearing them all the time.

I had my Docs for years and they just looked better with age. The thick air-cushioned soles do not wear out quickly so you know when you are paying your money you are getting a quality pair of boots.

The Chinese-made boots don’t I’m afraid how quite such a positive reputation so if you are going to invest your money think about paying a little extra for the ones made in England.

The Boots are Versatile

Another great thing about Doc Martens is that their boots and shoes are hugely versatile and go with everything.

My niece wears her Doc Marten Shoes to school as they are regulation black and aren’t as dull as typical kids’ footwear. At the weekends, however, she wears her boots with more grungy clothes and accessories.

I’ve worn my Docs with dresses, skirts, jeans, and trousers and they have looked great with all of them.

The fact that Doc Martens boots and shoes are so versatile means that you can wear them almost anywhere without getting strange looks.

The Styles are Generally Unisex

Doc Martens are probably one of the first footwear brands that designed styles that could be considered unisex. Doc Martens classic boots are the same no matter what your gender.

Footwear that has a universal appeal is increasingly the norm now but back in the 70s it wasn’t. Now shoe brands such as Converse, Hey Dudes, and Vans deliberately create styles that appeal to everyone but this hasn’t always been the case.

What is So Special About Doc Martens? – The Comfort Level

Comfort matters when it comes to footwear and Doc Martens air-cushioned soles really stood out when they were first developed. Now we are used to brands thinking about foot health and cushioning but this wasn’t always the case.

Generally, once they are broken in they are incredibly comfortable and easy to wear for long periods of time. Note that I say when they are broken in.

You really need to take the time to get your Docs used to your feet otherwise you are going to experience blisters and foot pain.

The Wide Range of Styles

Dr. Martens have continued to make the brand flourish because they haven’t stood still over the years.

Yes, they have their timeless boots which have a wide appeal but they also have expanded their styles significantly over the years.

Now you can buy Doc Martens in different colors, shoe designs, and heights. They sell sandals and also they have branched out into accessories. This choice means there is something for everyone which helps to increase the longevity of the brand.

However, even with their wide array of choices, it was interesting to see my niece buy a pair that were a little different from what I was wearing 40 years ago!

Marketing and Influencers

Finally, what makes Doc Martens so popular? Well, I have to talk about social media, influencers and marketing in general.

Doc Martens have over 200,000 followers on Instagram, 500,000 on Tik Tok and over 2 million on Facebook. This is a huge brand that knows the power of marketing its footwear to the younger generation to increase its sales.

The brand stays in the public eye and likes to remind people that they are still iconic, relevant and fashionable and that marketing continues to drive new generations of followers to continue to wear the footwear.

More About Docs

Are Doc Martens Good For Standing All Day?

Why Do Doc Martens Hurt Your Feet?

Are Doc Martens Good For Your Feet?

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