Host Alan Cross was discussing various ways fashion and music have intermingled over the years. He touched on Glam Rock, Mods, Rockers, Two Tone, and Grunge. It was while he was discussing the so-called 'Grunge Uniform' that he first touched on Dr. Martens.
Near the end of the show, he discussed in detail the role Dr. Martens boot (and later shoes) played in rock and roll history. The boot, over the years, became almost a symbol of the underground. Dr. Martens ruled the anti-establishment and stomped their way into being the footwear of choice for many music genres.
It's amazing when you think about it, that one simple boot crossed over into so many different genres and styles. Punks? Of course. Mods? I've seen a few rocking a Dr. Marten boot or shoe over the years. Rude Boys and Girls? Love them. Skinheads? It was a staple of their wardrobe. Grunge? It was almost a required part of that whole plaid laden grunge look.
The show got me thinking back to my shoe collection. Over the years, I've owed a few pairs of Dr. Martens. Today, I only own one pair (I'll touch on that later). The Dr. Marten's air cushioned sole, the very thing that made it so popular to begin with, is what made me start to shy away from them. Have you ever tried walking on ice or sleet with a pair on? That comfy sole made it damn near impossible for me to traverse down the sidewalks in Winnipeg as soon as even the slightest bit of frost lined the pavement. All Winnipeggers know this struggle. Spring and Summer Dr. Martens are amazing, but come Fall or Winter, we would trade them in for something that would provide us a bit more grip.
I started thinking about my first pair of Dr. Martens. I was in Junior High School when Grunge was really kicking off. It was about this time that I was starting to discover what kind of music I loved. Before this, I kind of piggy backed on to whatever my sister was listening to, which was a lot of crap to be honest. I stopped stealing her Bon Jovi and Posion tapes and started listening to groups like Soundgarden, Jane's Addiction, and Pearl Jam. It seemed like everywhere I looked, there were those damn boots. Music videos, magazine spreads, interviews, you name it - one thing was always the same. Those shiny black boots with the bright yellow stitching.
I don't know who was the first to get a pair in our school, but I do remember it was a big deal with our group of friends. The boots weren't cheap and many of our parents refused to spend upwards of $150 for a pair. I begged my parents to get me some Dr. Martens. I didn't care what kind - boots, shoes, it didn't matter. Mom and Dad refused. Something deep inside me told me I needed these boots and come hell or high water, I was going to get them.
Unlike most of the kids my age, I had a part time job flipping burgers at a little seasonal burger stand in the tiny town of Lockport. I started working at the age of 14 and quickly learned that with a job came the freedom to buy the things I wanted. When I wanted something, I would work extra hard and would focus on saving money. In our last year of Junior High, our school decided to send the school band on a trip to the town of Edmonton for a national school band music festival. Most of us didn't really care about the music festival or the opportunity to travel and learn something new. We were focused on the fact that we would get to spend an afternoon at the rather infamous West Edmonton Mall.
West Edmonton Mall, if you have never heard of it, is one of the largest malls in North America. It contained a full size skating rink, a water park complete with a huge wave pool, an area for dolphin shows and submarine rides, mini gold, and one of the most amazing amusement parks around. Having been to the mall before, I knew it also had some of the best shopping around. West Edmonton Mall had stores and items that one could NOT get in Winnipeg. I figured if I was ever going to get my hands on a pair of Dr. Martens, that this visit to West Edmonton Mall would be my chance.
The months leading up to that trip, I worked myself to the bone. I took extra weekend shifts and ever worked after school a few days a week. Everything I made, I saved. I didn't go out, I didn't buy anything. I saved ever dime for this trip. By the time we were on the bus to Edmonton, I had saved almost $300 - more than enough to get me the boots.
While my friends all raced to the amusement park, I spent a good hour wandering around the mall trying to locate a shoe store carrying Dr. Martens. I had just about given up hope when I turned a corner and saw it, hanging like a beacon in the window - the famous Dr. Martens logo.
I wasted no time. I went inside and grabbed the first pair of black 1460s I found. My heart was racing as I slid my foot in, tightening the laces up. They felt stiff, hard. The sales lady assured me that was just how the boots were and that I would have to 'break them in.' I didn't give two shits if they were comfortable or not. I slammed my money down on the counter and walked out in my new boots.
Needless to say, when I got home with these heavy black boots on, my mom was not impressed. We butted heads a bit on style back then and she couldn't understand what I found so fascinating about these industrial work boots. I remember her asking me not to wear them out to family functions or when we were going somewhere 'nice.' The boots also gave me my fair share of blisters and calluses as I worked hard to break them in. I must have gone through dozens of boxes of bandaids that year. I also learned that getting an expensive pair of boots requires more upkeep that I've been used to. I'ver never owned leather boots before - just vinyl winter boots that required no work. These required elbow grease and shoe polish and work. My mom taught me how to properly polish my Dr. Martens and every week I would take twenty minutes to polish and buff my new boots.
As much grief as those boots caused me, I LOVED them. I didn't care if my heels were cracked and bleeding or if I constantly had black shoe polish under my nails - those boots defined me.
My first pair of Dr. Martens lasted all through Junior High and High School. When I started University and first discovered Mod, I started wearing those boots less and less. At one point I had gotten myself a pair of 1461's, thinking that a simple oxford style would mesh better with the skirts and pressed shirts I started wearing. The last pair of Dr. Martens I purchased where a pair of white one-strap Mary Jane style shoe that I came across on eBay in the early 2000s. I probably paid way to much for them and to be honest, they are a half size to small, but I still have them in my closet even though I can't remember the last time I wore them.
It's hard to give them up. Who knew someone could have such an attachment to a type of shoe?
Now, my footwear choices are more varied. I don't wear big, clunky Dr Marten type boots anymore. These days it's about sleek Italian design and variety. I wear anything from simple ballet flats to crazy overpriced designer shoes (love those red soles). But sitting in the back of my closet, next to my collection of fall and winter boots, polished to perfection will forever be the home of for my last pair of Dr. Martens. I've moved forward style wise, but I'll never forget where I came from.
