Gigi Hadid. Orlando Bloom. Gwen Stefani. What’s the one thing they all have in common? Well, not the one thing. They’re all hugely successful, beautiful millionaires with more Instagram followers than the Queen’s had canapés. But, on top of this, they’re all fans of the iconic shoe that’s taken the world by storm: the humble Doc Marten.
Just like problematic tweets or podcasts about murder, they’re everywhere. From the red-carpet to the high street, from offices to festivals. No wardrobe is complete without a pair of Docs.
DMs started life when German doctor Klaus Märtens hurt his ankle while skiing in 1945. Instead of resting from the slopes and going hard on après like most people, he created a now-world-famous business. Each to their own. Production soon moved to Northamptonshire, where they added their trademark yellow stitching and AirWair soles, leaving everyone with a (literal) spring in their step.
From the Sixties onwards, they became the shoe of the subculture. Punks, skinheads, scooterboys, Britpoppers and emos all laid claim to the famous 1460 eight-eyelet boots (named after their date of birth, 1st April 1960).
These days, however, it’s not just the shoes that are well-heeled – they’ve become the go-to boot of the rich and famous. DMs regularly grace the red carpet, with Emma Watson, Robert Pattinson and Sienna Miller all fans. The fashion world has embraced Docs too. Daisy Lowe and Naomi Campbell have sported them, and the brand has collaborated with Marc Jacobs and Yohji Yamamoto.
The traditional black and oxblood staples have evolved, with styles now including glitter, camouflage and rainbow. They even come in a quasi-clinical, patent white (as spotted on Hailey Baldwin and Zayn Malik), perfect for doctors who’ve got a rave at 5 but are scrubbing in for surgery at 7.
In addition to leather, there’s now a vegan option (although neither taste great) and they also do a toddler range in case your three-year-old wants to join a band doing covers of The Who. Harper Beckham and North West have both been spotted in little Doc Marten booties, making them a must-have A-list playground accessory. Harper isn’t the only Beckham with a pair: David and Brooklyn wore matching 1460s to London Fashion Week in 2017.
Their success is down to the fact that they go with anything: a dungarees, a suit, even, as Miley Cyrus proved in her viral 2013 music video, a wrecking ball.
And the shoe that once symbolised rebellion has even found its way into the corridors of power: Pope John-Paul II wore a custom-made white pair under his vestments. It would barely be a surprise if the Queen had a corgi-gnawed pair of 1460s in the boot room of Balmoral.
As the legendary brand continues to reign supreme, it seems there’s never been a better time to slide into your DMs.
