Most people when faced with the prospect of buying a new pair of boots will head straight to the high street to see what’s hot off the runway for this season. Never mind finding a pair that are going to last you through until next spring, getting a pair that will stand you in good stead until Christmas seems to be ‘good enough’, especially for those of us below the age of thirty. And from the moment I was allowed to shop for my own shoes this was how I bought my boots. I’d buy a pair that were on trend, cheap, and easily replaced should they fall apart within six months of purchase. But when my latest fling with with a pair of River Island buckle boots fizzled out with last season’s torrential rain, I started to wonder if there wasn’t a more permanent solution to my boot loving. And that’s when Dr.Marten’s came to town.
Tucked away at the bottom of The Hayes, the Cardiff branch of Dr.Marten’s is like a little, wooden cavern holding boot after shiny, working boot ready to be taken home and broken in. I walked past the window on my way home from the train station and immediately fell in love with the iconic black boot and knew from that moment onwards that I had to, had to, have them. I’ll admit, having Agyness Deyn sporting a pair did help persuade me somewhat, but the deal was finally struck when I was rustling through some old photographs and found one of my grandfather in the 60’s in his own pair of dirty, black Docs with his hair greased back and an original Rolling Stones t shirt.
The beauty of the Dr.Marten boot is not only the durability of the sole and the dependability of the leather, after all they say when you buy a pair they’re yours for life, but rather it’s the spirit of rebellion that it represents that gives the Dr.Marten boot an edge over your average Clarke’s pair. Invented by a German doctor to ease his limp, manufactured locally in the north of the UK, and adopted by the working class in the 50’s – the Dr.Marten boot has been around for what seems like forever. Soon enough the likes of the Sex Pistols and other young, angry things started wearing them, and they fast became a sign of rebellion, a ‘fuck you’ to the man and the rich, upper classes in their riding boots and slacks.
Since then they’ve become cooler and cooler, taking over the outfits of the rich and famous and proving themselves reliable in the economic downturn. Who wants to buy a new pair of boots every season when you can have one pair to outshine them all? Granted, they cost more than your average New Look fare at just over £100.00, but you’ll never have to buy another pair of flat boots again. Not only are you getting a great deal more boot for your wallet, but you’re taking part in the spirit that is the Dr.Marten boot – there really is no other way to describe them except cool. And if you think the only boot on offer is the classic, vintage boot then think again – Dr.Martens have a whole range of boots from soft leather high button ups to wool lined winter boots and gorgeous plimsolls. There really is a style for every character.
The only catch to these hard wearing lovelies is the price you pay in earning them, and I’m not talking about the money here. Before they can be truly yours you have to break them in with blood, blisters, and a fortnight of belligerent determination.
To make the breaking in easier, why not try the following?
Wear thick socks – or two pairs, or maybe even three. The leather is hard at first and it’s going to take more than just a few outings to get them soft. Save your skin some trouble and pad your feet up as much as you comfortably can.
Read the news papers – and then scrunch it up when you’re done with wet hands and stuff that damp newspaper into your boots – and I mean really pack it in there. Leave the damp newspaper in there overnight and it’ll help soften up that leather even more. The newspaper expands and pushes up against the leather, putting wear into your boots without you actually having to wear them.
Get your hairdryer out – and heat up those soles. Don’t overheat them, but get them nice and warm until you can bend them easily. This will help reduce the blisters on your heel that form because there’s not yet enough movement in the sole to stop the friction against your feet. For goodness sake, don’t melt the things – just make sure they’re nice and supple.
Crack out the boot wax – and rub it into the leather to make it softer around the tongue and toes. You won’t be able to polish them with shoe polish after, but who needs a black, boot shine when you’ve got leather wax to make them sparkle?
Get walking – Some say you should jump into a river and then walk a mile in your boots if you want to break them in quickly. However dubious that may sound (and believe you me, I shan’t be doing it any time soon) it goes without saying that the only way you’re going to break those boots in is by wearing them and walking them in.
Give it two weeks of persistent love and care and those boots will be yours in no time. Love them, care for them, and above all wear them with everything from floral dresses to distressed jeans at those boots will love you back forever.
What do you think of the Dr.Marten boot? A classic wardrobe must-have or outdated and unfashionable? Got anymore tips for breaking them in? Drop your experience in the comments box and share your wisdom!
