‘I’m from long flowing skirts and Dr Martens,
swishing and clumping down the street…
…I’m from kicking through leaves, golden, red, russet, and brown,
and splashing through puddles, letting the joy of life infuse me.’
You can find more about who I am on my blog’s About Me, but these things are intrinsic to my soul and boots have always been part of my life – from my very first pair of Dolcis grey suede pixie boots way back in the eighties, to Feud, and Fly, and Hotter, and Docs… I don’t generally do heels, and I live in boots pretty much all twelve months of the year, bar a few hot summer weeks!
Docs are the perfect boots for artists and creative types – there are so many customised docs out there, from Dr Martens and from artists – perhaps that’s why they resonate with me so much. I love switching laces and ribbons, and they look great with anything, jeans, tulle, long skirts, short skirts, lace, anything. They are the basis of my wardrobe!
Arcadia 1460 Cherry Red © Lisa Shambrook
Last Christmas I got Arcadia 1460 in Cherry Red, and red ribbons and burgundy tulle just worked! When winter closes in I’ll be back in my 1420 black boots, 20 eye long boots (currently unavailable at Dr Martens), which see me through the rain and snow! And next on my list will be 1490’s, or 1914, or 1B99 Virginia… how will I choose?
Recently, I bought JMW Turner ‘Fishermen At Sea’ 1460 Cristal Suede Dr Martens, inspired by Turner and his paintings found at the Tate gallery (also currently not available in store). I adore being able to wear art on my feet!
JMW Turner 1460 Dr Martens ‘Fishermen at sea’ © Lisa Shambrook
As a rule, docs need wearing in, and I suggest investing in preventative blister plasters as you do so, but in a few weeks you will be wearing the most comfortable boots ever! And my Turner Cristal Suede boots were so soft they needed no wearing in at all.
I was surprised when I read the reviews that several people had returned their Turner boots due to the crackle leather wearing. First off, Cristal Suede is designed to become distressed and peel a little on first use to reveal the base contrasting colour. Secondly, they only shed a tiny amount of paint and you can easily protect the boots.
I bought, as advised, when I contacted Dr Martens for care instructions, Crep Protect, a hydrophobic protection spray. Two coats and any liquid rolls right off the leather.
Dr Martens uses crackle leather (Cristal Suede) on several boot designs – I really want ‘Power, Corruption & Lies’ Joy Division 1460’s – and knowing how to keep them well looked after is imperative to enjoying your boots.
1420 Dr Martens © Lisa Shambrook
Though expensive, these boots are tough, long lasting, and can be repaired when necessary. My daughter is a cobbler, and when my DM soles came away she was quick to point out it wasn’t Dr Martens fault, my car heater was to blame – a common problem with aiming the heat at your feet throughout winter – it can melt away the glue that holds the sole to the boot or shoe. I was glad my beloved docs could be resoled; however, I’ll be keeping direct heat off my feet during cold winters!
1420 Boots – Arcadia 1460 – JMWTurner 1460 © Lisa Shambrook
I often give my characters Dr Martens – Jasmine in Beneath the Distant Star (release date 11th December 2018) wears Cherry Red docs, and Loren also wears Dr Martens in The Seren Stone Chronicles, currently being written… They’re going to be my boot of choice for a very long time!
Look after your docs and they’ll look after you…
So, Dm’s are my mainstay and I love them.
What are your favourite boots?
The Last Krystallos 
Doc’s are my favourites too. My old red ones can tell so many stories of the bands they’ve seen, the mosh pits they’ve encountered. Wouldn’t be without them. xxx
I just got the some of these as well (the Rise and Fall of the Carthiginian Empire ones) secondhand and the flaking has already started. Do you think there’s anything I can do to keep them from shedding further? Will the spray seal the loose bits at all? or do I just protect them with the spray and lean in to them being a bit distressed? I’ve wanted them for ages and even used they were quite a splurge so i’d like to keep them in the best shape i can. thanks!
I use Crep Protect on mine and there’s a little distress, but they are still in great condition two years later with only a little peeling.
Apparently they are supposed to wear and peel a bit, but the spray has certainly reduced the peel on mine a great deal.
Try it out, if you wear them a lot you’ll need to reapply every so often, to keep them waterproofed and to protect from peeling, but I’ve definitely found it works!
I love mine, and the Carthiginian Empire ones look so good (wish I had them too!). I hope yours last well xx