Dr. Martens Outfits for Women: How to Style Docs

Standing up for individual spirit and a ‘proud sense of self-expression’, Dr. Martens boots are well-loved across the globe - and have been since 1901. Allowing each unique person to take their DM boots and use them to their own stylistic advantage results in there being endless opportunities when it comes to how to wear them. Doc Martens pride themselves on being able to add to each individual style, as they give the wearer the confidence to conquer whatever that day may throw at them. Starting out as a modest workwear boot, you’ll now find Docs on the feet of streetwear fans and regular gig-goers up and down the country. How you style your Docs is completely up to you, but if you’re in need of some inspiration then rest assured The Sole Supplier team have some ideas for you.

Renowned for their underfoot comfort, the sole on the Dr. Martens boot was created by Dr. Klaus Maertens. Whilst resting and attempting to fix his broken foot, Maertens decided he needed something a little more cushioned to aid his recovery and make the process as smooth as possible. In 1945, boots were constructed with a hard leather outsole, but by creating the unique air-cushioned sole, the 25-year-old revolutionised the Dr. Martens brand completely. However, it wasn’t until 1960 that the Griggs family (who had been making boots in Northampton for three generations at this point) were interested in joining forces with the German brand. This is where the ‘Airwair’ was born, 'With Bouncing Soles' and all.

One of the first high-profile groups to adopt the Doc boot was English rock band The Who. After this point, Dr. Martens very quickly became the shoe of the streets and the British working class. Hard-wearing, reliable and bloody good looking, Dr. Martens took street-style to a new level and allowed everyone to rebel against their parents, shave their head and protest for a better future. However, in the early 2000s Dr. Martens sales declined so rapidly that all but one factory in the UK ended up closing. Not long after though, the classic 1460 was reconfigured by fashion designers and took precedence in the footwear industry once again.

Nowadays, it would be difficult to go one day without laying your eyes on a pair of Dr. Martens boots. Gracing the gritty London streets and taking over Instagram feeds all over the shop, Dr. Martens have stayed true to their roots and continue to create high-quality footwear that will last you a lifetime and never go out of fashion.

But what to wear with them? There’s no point telling you that there is one way and one way only to wear your Docs. Regardless of whether you’re rocking Chelsea boots, the classic 8-hole stompers or a pair of brogues, your entire wardrobe will probably work. Nevertheless, take a look at the Dr. Martens outfits we came up with below.

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If you’re looking to build a capsule wardrobe, then take inspiration from Kelly’s simple-yet-effective outfit. Pairing her Dr. Martens 101 boots with some tapered dark denim jeans that perfectly cut over the top of the low-cut boot, a tight-fitting tank top and the Supreme Houndstooth Logo Snap Front jacket for a neutral, earthy kick, really adds a stylish element to the outfit. What’s great about this 'fit is that each of the individual elements can be styled in a number of different ways. There’s no limits to what you can wear the pieces with, and there’s no stress about always being caught in the same outfit.

Chloe wears her Jadons with a variety of outfits: dresses, skirts, jeans and even joggers! For this outfit, she wrapped up warm in a sherpa gilet from Weekday, cosy sweatshirt from New Balance and her trusty blue jeans. The split hem allows the chunky boots to peep through, whilst the Stüssy hat just finishes off the look.

Our digital marketing exec, Jess, has the Dr. Martens Rometty Chelsea boots. With a slight heel at the rear of the boot, these boots make for a great formal option; especially when heels are just not an option that day. However, with the heel not being that high, they’re also a great casual choice. For the ultimate cute Doc Martens outfit, she wears a button-up cord dress with a long overcoat for those chilly winter evenings out on the town - Jess ‘Party’ Bell would know.

Dresses and Docs are a match made in heaven. Lana pairs her super chunky XL Jadons with a floral dress that sits just above the top of the boot. This does the boots justice by showing them off to their full potential. Meeting in the middle of grungy and girly, the dark colours of the dress mean that there isn’t a great unwieldy contrast in the outfit and the result ends up being tied together really nicely.

You can’t go wrong with the classic 1460 boots. Coming with an all-black upper with the addition of a yellow heel tab, these are a little different to the other boots on the market, but the stealthy design is hard to resist. The Bex sole is super chunky and contrasts to the flowy fit of the Pull & Bear dress amazingly. Being less outwardly grungy, but still enough to add edge to the outfit, is ideal for this type of summer dress. Paired with the Bershka jacket, this makes for the perfect ‘British Summer’ outfit. It gets a little chilly!

In the winter, stick on a pair of thick tights for an extra layer of warmth.

The fact that the Dr. Martens brand stands for the individual and not the masses means that we encourage you to wear whatever you like and feel comfortable in with your beloved Docs. If you're nervous about styling your Docs for the first time, then don't be! They are the most versatile form of footwear we all own, so no matter the occasion, there's a pair of Dr. Martens to suit. As you can see, we love ours with dresses and skirts, but there's always something so satisfying about opting for your favourite pair of denim jeans. We didn't try, but maybe you could even style them with a suit for a special occasion or for work? Whatever you decide to wear, let us know by tagging @thesolewomens in your Instagram pics. We'd love to share our faves!

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