On Wednesday I mentioned I was going to the opening of a new Dr Martens store in Norwich.
It’s the largest Dr Martens store in the UK apparently, and the launch was all sausage and mash in tiny wooden dishes and free Norfolk Ales, which is my kind of party!
But todays post isn’t really about the party, it’s about the realisation, after 20 years, of a teenage dream. (Though if you’re interested there area few photos of the party here)
I mentioned on Wednesday that I’d wanted purple DM boots as a teenager. My Dad ran round half of London and couldn’t find a pair, so bought a green pair instead. Now, I love green. But when, on Christmas Day, I got a Dr Martens box and opened it with no warning, expecting to see the coveted purple, I couldn’t keep the look of disappointment off my face. It’s haunted me ever since that my Mum and Dad thought I was disappointed with a lovely present, and I’m pretty sure they were just sad they couldn’t find purple ones for me!
Now, if you’ve dried your tears after that sad story of loss and disappointment we’ll fast forward a little.
Firstly, 14 year old me thinks 34 year old me is just SO COOL for being at the launch of a Dr Martens store. But 34 year old me has a slightly different style to 14 year old me. With heavily discounted prices at the launch party I had decided I would take some money from my currently very limited funds and invest in a pair of sensible winter shoes. After much wrangling I decided on a pair of the ballet pump style, and got purple, to satisfy teenage me.
But it didn’t really.
Then someone got me the purple 8 hole DM Boots to try on. I tried on metallic ones first.
But they weren’t really cutting it.
Then the original proper, purple DM’s I had been after since I was a teenager were there, on a shelf, in a 6.
So I tried one on.
Then I accidentally asked for the other one to try. Then I got a bit sad as I really couldn’t afford boots, not even discounted boots. A girl has to eat, and she can’t eat boots. Though I might have tried (Photo courtesy of Missy Vintage, bunny ears courtesy of Andy Sapey)
So I sent my Dad a text message, suggesting now was the chance to buy me purple DMs, like the cheeky cow I am. And he text back and told me to buy them. So now, 20 years later, my Dad finally bought me that pair of purple DM’s. Thanks Dad!
So today I woke up, and wanted to wear them out. Just for a short jaunt into town, you don’t mess with new Dr Martens till that leather has softened up!
I’m not a jeans kind of gal, so I decided to take a trip back to 90s me and wear them with opaque tights and an above the knee skirt.
So I stomped into town and back and I loved wearing them. A little different from my normal look, but icy pavements and snowdrifts will be no match for me in my snazzy purple DM’s come winter!
Comments
85 responses to “Teenage Dreams”
@Retrochick_uk ooohh my purple 8-hole are my favourite ever. I wear them LOADS
I still have my purple DMs lol 🙂 well done you (and I also had a pair of gazells in the 90s during my “Oasis” phase 😉
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153330047270054&set=a.208121265053.258782.616760053&type=1&theater¬if_t=like
I think you might have started something! lol
In the late 80’s and early 90’s I wore DM’s for every occasion, even a couple of weddings (oxblood red). I was young and obstinate!
I’m not sure I had any other shoes in the 90s!
Oooh they look fab!!! Love them paired with the dress, very 1990s!!
http://www.mancunianvintage.com
I’ve had a pair of Dr Marterns boots for 3 years now and can’t wear them yet because they make my feet bleed, even after wearing them with thick socks for 5 minutes 🙁
Have you tried gettting them wet? There’s loads of tips to wear in DMs quicker!
No! I’ve heard about some lotion they sell at the stores to moisturize the leather, though. My apartment is so humid I’d be worried about getting them too wet and not being able to dry them properly, ha!
The trick is to buy second hand ones then someone else has already done the hard part for you lol 😛
Eventually the world will run out of second hand DMs, someone has to buy new ones!
@Retrochick_uk They look amazing! The perfect winter boot! 🙂
I used to be the proud owner of a pair of Airforce blue Gazelles in my ‘indie’ years :^)
@Retrochick_uk Ah that brings it all back. I used to wear really tall ones thinking I was a punk (was more a soppy indie kid).
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I have the exact same pair which i bought when i was about 12. Sadly they have never really been worn enough and only now come out during the snow!
Made me chuckle xxx
Love this! And the DMs, total envy from 14 year old me…and almost 33! 🙂
I pretty much live in Doc Martens in the winter. So cosy!
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Oh my, I think I am 15 again! I had green DMs too but always secretly wanted red. I still have scars on my ankle from “wearing in” my DMs. And love how you’ve worn them! Maybe after 20 years it is retro and I can have new pair for winter too!
No way! Look what I’m wearing today (bought in the 90s)! I was telling a friend about them and will show them to her later today, though I rarely wear them, I keep them in their original box most days.
Aw fab! They’re lovely!
I used to wear a pair of army surplus boots.
My other pair – and I never met anyone who wore anything like them – was a pair of black leather boots that came right up over my knees, which I’d wear with leggings and T-shirt. I found out years later that people at university used to refer to me as ‘Boots’. Many people wore boots, but only I wore thigh boots as regular daywear! (They were warm and comfy.)
I bet they were! I think my legs are too short for thigh high boots, they’d look like waders!
Teenage Dreams http://t.co/CSPIvAa2Ja #fashion
hahaha B has gazelles in 3 colours – guess who buys him them?
I want another pair now – damn you Seager!!! ;^) x
I spent my student life in my DMs, black ones though. I wore them with everything….and I mean everything. Now I have stupid amounts of shoes but back then, just the one pair of DMs. We used to try them on in the expensive shop and then go to the market stall where you could get them for around £25. LOL!
You ALWAYS have to stomp on them a bit so you don’t get blisters. I wish I still had mine now! *sigh*
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Ah DMs… I badly wanted some as a 14 year old but didn’t get them. 19yr old me bought herself some plain black ones and wore them loads – I still have them and recently dusted them off for everyday wear again! They definitely count as an investment and I love your purple ones – stylish and practical, a rare combination 🙂
They look awesome!!!
LOVE this! I was lucky enough to have a pair when I was 14 and they were truly amazing so to hear how long you have waited and to see your smily happy face make me think fondly of my long gone boots.
@Retrochick_uk I used to have a purple pair and a green pair too back in the 90s. Loved them x
Stephen – Well we do conveniently have a Dr Dr. Martens shop in Norwich now, so you can go and buy some!
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I still wear the same pair of purple DM boots that were my school shoes when I was 15 – as I’m now 32 I think that shows how they really are an investment buy! They are still mega comfortable and have only looked better with age!
I killed my black DMs by wearing them to a muddy Glastonbury. Don’t know what happened to the green ones in the end?
I had a pair of the coveted purple DM’s when I was a teenager and I absolutely adored them. I wore them so much they had completely molded to the shape of my feet and were the most comfortable things to wear in the world. I nearly shed a tear when, at a particularly muddy festival, the soles spilt in too and soaked up what felt like half a field of mud. I had to bin my much loved boots and my life has never been the same since. Enjoy your boots, I’m well jel and they look fab on you.
Love them! I’ve had a the purple metallic ones for years and wear them regularly – I even wore them today. The longer ones are much less painful to wear in!
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Dr Martens are the absolute worst to wear on icy pavements! I’m always slippin’ and slidin’ all over the place when I wear mine.
I bought a pair of second hand ones when I was about 14 and I still have them (although they are quite holey due to wearing them basically every day for 4 years), even though I very, very rarely wear them now, I just can’t bear the thought of throwing them out!
I’m Doc addicted!
I usually wear them!!!
With love,
Elisa
My Fantabulous World
Mine are worn in…. they are 26 years old! and I still wear them.
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I may need some now 🙁 luckily already have the dress! You are a bad influence on my shopping addiction :♥
I had a pair of pre-yellow-stitching DM steelies 20 etc years ago. LOVED them! And how I mourned their eventual loss 🙁
Since seeing your post the other day I’ve been coveting a new pair of Airwairs. Think might go for something black patent for my clinic shoes – something smart, shiny, sturdy, comfy n funky. I feel a Pinterest frenzy coming on! Sorta hankering for 8 or more hole to. Classic ox blood methinks. Bah! I need a lot more money, and several more pairs of feet!!! x
I used to have burgundy DMs in the 90s. After your post on the gorgeous new line up from DM I caved and splurged on the Ava boot. And they are dead gorgeous :
Purple DMs are the gods of shoes. Viva LA 90s!!!
HUZZAH!!! I love a happy ending and what a wonderful Dad you have.
Ooh, you look fantastic!
I always wanted green DM’s! A few years ago, on my 50th birthday, I finally went into our DM store and bought a pair of fab black knee high boots. Maybe now it’s time for green!
This is one of my favourite looks… DMs and short skirts! You are rocking those boots. I love this post 🙂
I just bought my very first pair of DM’s this summer – 58’s not too late to own a pair, is it? ;o)
I do love those purple ones on you – and also your sofa in the background!
Definitely not! I’m 53 and I’ve just bought my first pair today!
Yay! I still have my first pair of DM’s in the attic, along with my treasured Tank Girl t-shirt! I had the black and white Gazelle and dark red Puma Skates too…Damon I still love you!!
I think I adore you now more than ever! Omg I am having flashbacks of the 90s hehe We are in the same age group so I totally remember when they were all the fad. But lucky me went to on a trip to Europe when I was 18 during my senior yr of High School. I had to choose between prom and the trip and of course I chose the trip. Well while shopping in London I bought my first Dr Marten boots in a shade of burgundy which sadly is not so popular here in the states (that color) so I snatched them up and loved them for years. I paired them with the baby doll dresses and a jean jacket and I was funky and chic and oh so cool hanging out in Greenwich Village (we just call it the village). Ahhh so many memories you brought back to me. Fantastic post. And your dad rocks. I am a daddy’s girl too-we are very blessed to have such great dads! Yeah for those purple boots!!!! xox
@Retrochick_uk I love this! I’d literally just Tweeted about looking out my red patent DMs that’ve been retired for a bit.Bless your dad aw!
Oh I love them! I’ve always wanted a pair of DMs too. One day I will get a black pair (the ones that are more like ankle boots. They look great on you!
Look what you made me buy yesterday! Now I’m broke but in love!
http://store.drmartens.co.uk/p-8955-dr-martens-1460-boot.aspx
I really love dr. martens, and i have one pair myself! I would loved it if any of you guys checked out mye blog about fashion and makeup: http://thefashionblogger23.blogspot.no
Doc Martens are an absolute classic! Huge fans of retro clothing and your blog: http://ow.ly/pyRwX
“A girl has to eat, and she can’t eat boots.” haaa haaa haaaaaaa!! Your Pops is tops!
I LOVE the black and purple look. I had to sell my oxblood pair last year as I could just NOT break them in. Broke my heart.
Oh wow. Firstly, I am such a big old sap that a tear came to my eye as the tale unravelled and you finally got the boots from your dad. What an amazing dad you have.
But wow, also, because I love them. And I want them. And I have lusted over Doc Martens greatly of late. I wore them back in the day and lusted over a pink pair in store whilst on a shopping expedition on Saturday. But would pink be wrong? Theyd look pretty cool with a comic book dress, no?
Pink DMs and a comic book print dress would look amazing!
When I was 14 I wanted a white pair but settled for a knock off version. I currently have maroon was I got second hand and LOVE them!
I love love love all my DM’s & still have (& wear) my 1st ever pair – bought by my Mum & Dad in 1990 before I went off to Uni. My fav pair of DM’s though have to be my Leopard print suede boots but I’ve also got 2 pairs of their super comfy Tisha shoes. Am loving your new purple boots & am sure you’ll get loads of wear out of them this Winter 🙂