Explaining the Most Iconic Dr. Martens Styles: From 1460 Boot to Adrian Loafer and More You Need to Know
Although the brand is best known for its ultra-grungy 1460 boot, Dr. Martens has a range of diverse styles.
Dr. Martens has created many memorable footwear styles over the years.
Although the brand is best known for its classic black leather 1460 boot, Dr. Martens carries many unique silhouettes, including oxfords, loafers, sandals, platforms and even Mary Janes. Suede, leather, fur-trimmed and velvet, Dr. Martens seemingly has footwear styles to cater to just about every preference under the sun.
Founded in 1947, Dr. Martens is a German-founded British footwear and apparel brand with individuality at its core. The company initially began making humble workwear boots and even sold their wear as gardening shoes at one point. The inventor of Dr. Martens, Klaus Marten, was a doctor in the German Army during World War II. The brand’s name references the inventor’s former profession.
The shoe style we know today was created in Germany and became a huge part of popular culture. The brand’s iconic yellow-stitched footwear was massive in the grunge and punk scene in the ’90s and has since become a closet staple for many generations. Here is a rounded list of just a few of Dr. Martens’ most iconic footwear styles.
1460 Smooth Leather Lace-Up Boots
This list could not be made without mention of the iconic 1460 boot. The eight-hole 1460 was conceived on April 1, 1960, the boot’s name reflecting the date of conception. The instantly recognizable silhouette has become synonymous with the Dr. Martens brand, featuring smooth leather uppers, black lace-up closures and bright yellow welt stitching.
Following its 1960 release, the 1460 boot became a heavy-hitting fixture in counter-culture, a rebellious style that the British youth laced up time and time again. Pete Townshend of the British rock band The Who is largely credited with bringing the 1460 boot to the forefront of British pop culture because he would often wear the style while performing on stage.
In a short series on famed Dr. Martens wearers titled Tough as You, Townshend remarked on the boot, “Their toughness combined with their softness and flexibility is what made them so perfect for the pseudo-athletic routines I performed on stage”. The Who would go on to collaborate with Dr. Martens in 2019 on a range of silhouettes inspired by the band’s “Quadrophenia” album art.
The utilitarian boot once worn by miners, the military and laborers was quickly becoming a hot commodity amongst the youth of the time. Soon, the Dr. Martens wave, or “Docs” as they were so affectionately nicknamed, would soon reach America thanks to the musical punk movement.
Remixed, reversed and passed down from generation to generation, the ankle-length boots are built to last and highly versatile. Once associated with the punk and goth subcultures, these days, Dr. Martens’ 1460 boots have been seen on famous feet from all walks of life, including Robert Pattinson, Avril Lavigne, Hayley Williams, Willow Smith, Gwen Stefani, Miley Cyrus, Madison Beer, Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid among others.
Many brands, entities and institutions have interpreted the 1460 boot over the years, including Joy Division, The Clash, Bape, Raf Simons, Rick Owens and A-Cold-Wall*, among others.
1461 Marbled Sole Leather Oxford Shoe
Preppy and full of style, Dr. Martens’ 1461 Marbled Sole Leather oxford shoe retails for $150 and comes in a range of both women’s and men’s sizes. The Oxford silhouette is a playful take on Dr. Martens’ traditional black and yellow color scheme, featuring plush patent leather uppers that transition into soles smeared with yellow streaks that create a marbled effect that mimics the look of the brand’s welt stitching.
The footwear also includes contrasting yellow stitching, durable black hiker-style lace-up closures and yellow eyelet accents. The 1461 Oxford is also fixed with 1/2-inch platforms and 1 1/8-inch block heels. The soles of the shoe include distinctive grooving and an unmistakable tread pattern that acts to shield the wearer from slippage of any kind. The set is finished off with black welt stitching that works to blend into the background, spotlighting the striking yellow marbling that decorates the soles.
The low-top 1461 was introduced a year after its taller 1460 counterpart in 1961, acting as a conventional alternative to the boot but with an edgy Dr. Martens flare. The silhouette was initially presented in the brand’s iconic “Cherry Red” and “Black” colorways before being introduced in various shades. Much like the 1460, the 1461 has been reinvented and reinterpreted over the years by various institutions from The Met to Sanrio, thus proving the 1461 is a blank canvas for self-expression.
Adrian Snaffle Repello Emboss Suede Kiltie Loafers
Coming in “Thrift Pink,” “Autumn Spice” and “Moss Green,” the Adrian Snaffle Repello Embossed Suede Kiltie loafers retail for $170 in both men’s and women’s sizes. The cute and casual loafer is a twist on Dr. Martens’ original Adrian Snaffle style with textural Repello Calf suede uppers that provide an eye-catching, unique quality to the silhouette. Repello Calf is a durable suede treated with a Scotch Guard finish for enhanced protection against water and other stains.
The aforementioned suede is embossed with a subtle and subversive python pattern that acts to create dimension further. Beyond the suede detailing, the Adrian loafer also includes grooved outsoles for extra non-slip insurance, ornate antique gold trim, and a removable tannery swing tag that offers the silhouette a decorative quality. Dr. Martens’ signature yellow welt stitching finishes off the python-printed loafers, keeping the footwear silhouette rooted within the brand’s heritage detailing.
Dr. Martens manufactured the first Adrian loafer in the 70s. The brand now offers a range of loafers and loafer-inspired styles. These loafer offerings include details such as trendy cow print, decorative tassel detailing and even height-boosting platform soles.
Jorge II Hair-On Print Slingback Mules
Keeping things wild and wacky, the Jorge II Hair-On Print Slingback mules are the perfect way to spice up any wardrobe with little to no effort. This non-traditional slip-on mule retails for $140 and is wrapped in unique black and white cow-printed hair-on leather, offering the mule a textural quality. Hair-on leather is often made from the hair side of the hide, whereas most leather is made from the non-hair side in favor of a smoother, less textural appearance.
Transitioning from the hair-on uppers are thick and adjustable leather straps threaded through shiny silver buckles that aim to provide the wearer with a more secure fit. Grooved, non-slip Shore soles secured in place with tonal black welt stitching round out the footwear silhouette, making for a sleek and snug finish all around. Beyond the cow-printed hair-on style, the Jorge II also comes in suede, faux-fur lined and leather styles rooted in neutral earthy tones. The regular Jorge comes in an even wider range of styles.
This specific cow-printed Jorge II mule comes in both men’s and women’s sizes.
8053 Arc Crazy Horse Leather Platform Casual Shoes
These casual lace-up shoes retail for $180 and come in men’s and women’s sizes. For many wearers of the brand, getting your Dr. Martens dirty is customary. With the Arc’s Crazy Horse leather uppers, the idea is wholly embraced. The Arc platform is crafted from sumptuous dark brown Crazy Horse leather made to weather and scuff for that well-loved look. The leather is oil-finished, which offers the footwear a welcomed high-shine finish.
Additionally, the 5-eye shoe is fitted with padded black collars that aim to enhance the wearer’s comfort along with double tassel and kiltie fringe and welted on rugged air-cushioned soles marked with the brand’s signature yellow welt stitching. Bright yellow laces and commanding platform Quad soles standing at 1 1/2 inches tall round out the set, offering the shoe a rugged and height-boosting workboot-inspired touch.
The Arc shoe is inspired by the ever-preppy Adrian loafer, a similar Dr. Martens style released in the 70s. Both shoe styles marry Dr. Martens’s usage of quality textiles and techniques with classic comfort and unmistakable style, offering audiences the best of both worlds.
Isham Faux Shearling Lined Suede Slingback
A textural feast for the eyes, the Isham faux-shearling lined suede slingback is a slip-on style retailing for $160. The shoe, named after a small village in Northamptonshire, embraces neutrals for the colder seasons in fall-centric “Pecan Brown” and “Vintage Taupe” colorways.
Available in both men’s and women’s sizes, the slingback is comprised of ultra-warm long-napped suede, suede leather with a heavy nap to give a casual distressed look and a rugged Borg lining that keeps the wearer’s toes encapsulated in coziness. The mule receives a decorative quality thanks to the addition of antique gold buckles. The silhouette is all set atop classic non-slip grooved soles featuring yellow welt stitching. The mule also includes thick and secure straps, which can be worn around the heels of the feet to create a slingback appearance.
The silhouette of the Isham is a unique mix between a sandal and a shoe. Beyond the neutral “Pecan Brown” and “Vintage Taupe” colorways, Dr. Martens also offers the Isham mule in hair-on cow print and vintage leather styles.
2976 Women’s Smooth Leather Chelsea Boots
Retailing for $170, the Chelsea boot is crafted of smooth and shiny black leather and accompanied by AirWair heel loops that make the boot easy to get on and off. Air-cushioned soles are welted to the silhouette with bright yellow stitching, offering the wearer a plush feel with every step.
The fashion-forward 2976 style dates back to the 70s and has become an important fixture of the fashion and music scenes. Dubbed the “Original” Chelsea boot, the Chelsea boot’s lace-less silhouette can be traced back to the Victorian era.
Since its conception, ankle-length footwear has been adopted by many subcultures thanks to its comfort and sleek appearance. The footwear is crafted with durable leather accompanied by elastic side panels for enhanced comfort while the leather softens.
Initially designed as a riding boot, it is believed that the first Chelsea boot was created by Queen Victoria’s bootmaker, Mr J Sparkes-Hall, in 1837. The boot style was crafted with elastic inserts on either side to make them easy to pull on and off, much like the styles of today.
Following its conception, the Chelsea boot became popular with laborers for practical purposes before transitioning into a more fashionable style. Once the boot had a resurgence in the 1970s thanks to the musical punk movement, a variety of celebrities sported the Chelsea boot style, including The Clash, The Who, The Rolling Stones and The Sex Pistols.
These days, the timeless Chelsea boot is popular with various subgroups, transcending labels. Dr. Martens’ 2976 style has been remixed to infinity, coming in various colors, heights and compositions.
Addina Flower Buckle Leather Platform Shoes
Upgrading the classic Mary Jane silhouette, the Addina Flower Buckle leather platform shoes retail for $160 and come in “Black” and “Lilac” colorways. Dr. Martens’ 1980s inspire the Addina Mary Jane style and features soft and supple fine-grained Milled Nappa, a hardwearing pebbled leather, uppers accompanied by height-boosting Quad platform soles.
Thick straps sit atop the tops of the wearer’s feet, securing the footwear in place, threaded through gunmetal flower-shaped buckle closures that offer the footwear a feminine touch. Rooted in classic Dr. Martens detailing, the Addina is finished with yellow welt stitching and black and yellow graphic heel loops. In collaboration with Marc Jacobs, Dr. Martens created a similar Addina Mary Jane-inspired style equipped with black velvet uppers and silver bear hardware.
Once called bar shoes, Mary Janes were invented by the Brown Shoe Company of Missouri in 1904 and named after the mischievous cartoon character Buster Brown and his sweetheart Mary Jane. The silhouette was popularized among young women in the 1920s. Still, it was adopted in different eras by pop-culture icons, including Twiggy in the 60s, Jane Birkin in the 70s and Alexa Chung in the 2000s.
Audrick 10-Eye Alternative Leather Lace-Up Boots
The Audrick 10-eye boot makes for a grungier alternative to Dr. Martens’ classic 1460 boot, bringing drama to the classic combat shoe silhouette. Retailing for $230, the boot is inspired by utilitarian-esque biker boots and is available in a variety of women’s sizes.
Built from Nappa Lux leather with Ajax leather and soft Patent PU leather geometric embossed detailing, the Audrick boot features molded heels, extra high tongues and handy riptape ankle straps that provide a military quality.
The boots are equipped with Quad soles that feature lightweight EVA midsoles and PVC outsoles with deep, rugged cleats that provide the wearer with extra security. The boot also includes heel pull tabs and an amped-up version of the brand’s trademark DMS tread pattern for a non-slip feel. The Audrick style has been remixed and revamped by Dr. Martens over the years. Beyond the rugged ankle-length boot silhouette, the footwear empire offers the Audrick in an oxford, knee-high boot and Chelsea boot styles.
Myles Suede Fur-Lined Buckle Slide Sandals
Cozy and cool, the Myles sandal comes in both men’s and women’s sizes and retails for $120. The footwear silhouette is fixed with ultra-cozy faux-fur lining, enhancing the shoe’s heat-wicking abilities. The Myles style comes in neutral “Black” and “Dark Brown” colorways and features silky EH Suede uppers fitted with two gunmetal buckles that allow the straps of the sandals to be adjusted depending on the wearer’s preference.
The strappy suede style is all sat atop Dr. Martens’ Zebrilus soles made of lightweight EVA material with a ripple tread and SoftWair footbed welted in place with bright yellow stitching. If the faux-fur trim isn’t your vibe, Dr. Martens also offers a plain black leather Myles sandal.
About the Author
Amina Ayoud is an Assistant Digital Editor for Footwear News, where she writes stories about everything from celebrity style to breaking fashion and shoe releases. Ayoud cultivated a love of all things fashion early in life thanks to a deep love of fashion history and the luxury industry. In her free time, Ayoud is a self-proclaimed fashion nerd and thriftaholic.
Related:
