Styling Winter Boots, first steps
Styling winter boots doesn’t have to be tricky, but there are a few points to take note of, especially when sustainability comes into question. This week was the first cold-dreary-rainy week of the year practically slapping me in the face with a reminder that winter is on its way. Since I decided to invest in better quality core products this year without compromising on style winter boot research began awhile ago, with a key takeaway being they have to be well made while maintaining the same standards of quality as comparable boots at a higher price point on the market.
I knew awhile ago that I needed new practical warm winter boots this year, and after much deliberation I decided to go with Doc Martens Winter Boots. I chose the Flora Arcadia style in Cherry Red and they are a really great casual winter boot for women, plus they come in a cruelty free option in a brighter red colour! I actually saw this style last year at The Bay but they were sold out of my size, this year I looked again actually going to physical store locations to source my size (I hate shopping IRL unless it’s in Toronto and all stores are within walking distance). Needless to say, I ended up ordering them online and they arrived within 5 business days from Boathouse- Praise the Lord!
Now if you follow me on Instagram @emmairenecavanagh you would have seen these boots all over my stories while I tested them out with various clothing options, the versatility is a welcomed functionality of the boot pairing well with everything from dresses to denim to cropped dress pants. Since Canadian weather is so unpredictable versatility is a make-or-break when it comes to shoes, thankfully these hold up in rain-slush-dirt you name it they can handle it.
Are Doc Martens Ethical?
Doc Martens are a classic choice that I’ve been researching for some time, originating in Germany with headquarters in the UK this boot has reached the masses over the decades and remains a staple today. The ONLY condition that is really questionable and upsetting is that they’re made in Thailand. I watched a documentary a while back titled “How It’s Made” I’m sure you’ve watched it too or at least have heard of it, and to my understanding they were made in the UK by hand in ethical factories. Amazing right? Nope, in 2013 Dr. Martens decided to mass produce because well supply and demand naturally causing the once ethical company to enter the Asian production market. They are still manufactured in the UK but they’ve outsourced the production of their standard boots to places like China for export to countries outside of the UK. My naive self didn’t realize this until they arrived at my house, and I looked at the Made In label on the shoe tongue. An FYI you can still buy styles made in England, just make sure the boots say made in England when you purchase them. A big tipoff is they’re twice the price but for good reason. So if you’re looking for an ethical winter boot this year, head over to their website and click on Made in England Collection and you’ll have a ripe assortment to choose from.
So whether they’re ethical or not how do you style Doc Marten boots?
Styling Doc Martens in 2019
Wear your docs with ethical pieces
Doc Martens have gone through fashion eras since the 40’s whether it be grunge, minimalism, romantic, and bo ho hippy Docs have seen it all. What the 21st Century is starting to bring to the table is the widespread popularity of ethical, handmade, and locally made clothing. We’re incorporating old-school classics with newer handmade items made for longevity and environmental kindness. While Docs aren’t exactly ethical they do boast a reputation of being so once-upon -a-time with the option to still choose styles made in ethical factories in England. This means most people are keen on the idea of them, even if they aren’t globally. Now-a-days these beauties can be seen paired with second hand dresses, sweaters made in small batches by a local maker, or with denim and pretty much anything else from bigger known ethical clothing brands. Ethical clothing is not a 21st Century phenomenon but it is becoming a hot topic among the fashion industry which is so amazing to see, consumers are bringing change agents and want to feel good about what they purchase. In conclusion in 2019 we can style our Docs however we want, because it’s basically been done before. They are extremely easy to wear as they speak for themselves, and I love how no matter what you do while wearing them they never break with wear and tear but they actually start looking better with age.
How I Style my Doc Martens
There are endless resources online including: lists, photos, blog posts, and videos with a step by step guide on how to style Doc Marten. Personally, i’ve seen them styled countless ways effortlessly which means you really can wear them however you’d like- that’s the great thing about the iconic boot. I chose to pair the Flora with dark denim to elongate my legs and keep a fluid silhouette that looks effortless, I also added a light top and jacket to add contrast which makes the deep red pop, and the shiny finish adds a bit of texture to an otherwise monochromatic-dull lower half. The look is finished off with a locally produced ethically made wristlet that brings together an ethical piece with an old-school boot- so 21st Century of me! I usually end up wearing darker bottoms in the winter so expect to see black with these boots-that’s just my personal preference.
I also make sure I have a thicker sock that rises above the ankle to prevent any discomfort, this little tip will save you a lot of pain and soreness as they are not forgiving on naked skin.
Thanks for reading, lead me a comment below if you love this brand and wear them every year during the colder months!
eic xx
