The History Of Dr. Marten Boots. How to wear Dr. Martens for men?

Dr. Marten boots is a British company that has earned a name for itself around the world. However, for a first-time shopper, their footwear can be perplexing.

Which design should you go with? Is it better to purchase a shoe or a boot? What is a 1460, and why are they so popular?

Teeanime will walk you through the process of selecting the appropriate pair of men’s Dr. Marten boots for your style demands in today’s article.

1. The History Of Dr. Marten Shoes

Few people know the Griggs family’s connection with Dr. Martens.

The Griggs family made boots in Wollaston, Northamptonshire, from 1901. A small-town shoe firm had local success, but things became intriguing in 1945.

Dr. Klaus Maertens, a 25-year-old soldier, was recovering from a foot injury when he invented an air-cushioned sole. Before, men’s boots had harsh leather soles that weren’t comfortable for saw feet.

Maertens made a prototype shoe with a cobbler’s last and a needle and showed it to Dr. Herbert Funk. Impressed by the concept, the two began creating their new shoes using discarded military clothing.

In 1959, they decided to market their innovative shoes abroad. In the 1960s, their boots were branded ‘Airwair’ with yellow stitching.

Hence, men’s Dr. Marten boots.

2. What Are The Different Styles Of Dr. Martens?

Over 60 years, men’s Dr. Marten boots have been fashionable.

While the brand has broadened its fashions, several classics remain popular with men and women.

I’ve broken down each icon type on the Dr Martens website to help you understand what ‘1460’ and ‘1061’ mean.

Men’s Doc Marten Style #1: The Classic 1460 Boot

The 1460 is easily distinguishable by its distinctive features, which include a hefty sole, a round toe, and laces that go up the front of the shoe, like many men’s Dr.Marten boots.

The original Dr. Marten boot, however, was the 1460 model, which was initially made popular in 1960 and is now worn by both men and women. In fact, the 1460 was a sign of counterculture during social movements like the punk rock era of the 1970s.

The 1460 is also offered in a variety of materials, such as leather, suede, and even variants that are suitable for vegans. The 1460 is the ideal choice for you if you want a classic Dr. Marten boot with a little bit of edge.

Men’s Doc Marten Style #2: The 1461 Shoe

The 1461 is comparable to the boot version (1460), except it’s lower on the ankle. The shoe can be dressed up or down depending on your men’s Doc Marten style.

The 1460 has a hefty sole, round toe, and front laces. The shoe’s height and silhouette differ.

Many males like the 1461 shoe since it’s versatile. It’s a wonderful work shoe that can also be worn casually, so it’s a versatile option.

Men’s Doc Marten Style #3: The 2976 Chelsea Boot

If you don’t like the bulky 1460, try the 2976 Chelsea boot.

The Chelsea’s smaller silhouette may appeal to some men. As with many Chelsea boots, the 2976 has an elastic side panel and pull-up tab.

The 2976 comes in leather and suede and may be worn with jeans or chinos.

Men’s Doc Marten Style #4: The 101 Boot

In the 1970s, Dr. Marten introduced the 101 design. Unlike the 1460 boot, the 101 has a 6-eye design rather than an 8-eye design. Because of the lower profile of this boot, men with larger calves can wear it.

The 101, like the 2976 Chelsea boot, is available in a variety of materials, including leather and suede. Because of the shorter profile, this boot is less formal than the Chelsea boot in terms of formality.

It can, however, be worn with a suit if you want to add a touch of edge to your outfit.

Men’s Doc Marten Style #5: The 3989 Brogue Derby

This brogue-style Dr. Marten shoe isn’t as popular. Men who wish to wear formal Dr. Martens to the office can still do so.

The 3989 Brogue Derby has a wingtip pattern with perforations. Its increased price reflects the superior materials utilized in its construction.

3989 Brogue is a classic Derby with a twist. It’s more office-appropriate. It’s the most ordinary-looking Dr. Marten shoe, as it resembles other Derby shoes.

Men’s Doc Marten Style #6: The Adrien Loafer

When designing the Adrian Loafer, Dr. Marten looked to the subcultures of the 1970s for ideas. There were skinheads, punks, and suedeheads in the 1980s.

The Adrian Loafer is an easy-to-put-on shoe with tassels on the front. It also has a crepe sole and a leather or suede upper. In short, it looks a lot like other tassel loafers on the market, except that it’s a bit bulkier. What did you think would happen? Even so, it’s still a Dr. Marten shoe.

In terms of dress, the Adrien loafer is a mix of the smartness of mod-style shoes and the durability of Docs. Men could wear this style with a suit if they really wanted to, but it’s more likely to be seen as a stylish casual shoe.

3. How Are Dr. Marten Made?

The best materials are used to make Dr. Marten boots for men.

From the raw materials to the finished product, here’s how a Dr. Marten boot is made:

1. Dr. Marten boots are made with a PVC sole. This type of sole is chosen because it is resistant to oil and acid, and it softens over time.
2. The upper of the boot is cut out of leather in the Clicking room. The shapes are cut out using a hydraulic press machine, and the size is noted with a metal relief and foils.
3. The boot then makes its way to the Closing Room. This is where all the separate boot pieces are sewn together.
4. Before the Dr. Martens boots leave the Closing Room, eyelets are stamped into them and their noses are strengthened with a toe protector.
5. The Lasting Track Room is where they make the leather upper fit to the shape of a person’s foot.
6. They put a mold in the leather and then adjust it to fit the shape of a person’s foot. After that, they add the yellow thread that Dr. Martens is known for.
7. The yellow thread attaches a rim of PVC to the leather upper.
8. Finally, the shoes are checked over and prepped for shipping.

All of this makes a boot that not only looks good but is also made to last. So, if you want a shoe that can handle whatever you throw at it, Dr. Marten is the brand for you.

4. Men’s Doc Marten Style Guide: How To Wear

Dr. Marten boots and shoes can go with a lot of outfits. Because there are so many different color, material, and style combinations for this type of shoe, it would be impossible to make a full look book.

So, I thought it would be helpful to give you guys a general idea of how you could wear each classic shoe style so you can make a better choice about which shoe is right for you.

Men’s Doc Marten Style Guide: The 1460 Boots

The traditional 1460s can be styled in thousands of various ways. When wearing this style of Dr Marten footwear, there are a few fundamental outfits you should try.

Wear the 1460 boot with dark-wash jeans, a white button-down shirt, and a black jacket for a smart-casual look.

If you want to go for a more tough style, wear your 1460 boots with raw denim jeans, a flannel shirt, and a leather jacket.

Wear the 1460s with a pair of trousers, a dress shirt, and a structured blazer for a more formal look.

Men’s Doc Marten Style Guide: The 1461 Shoes

The 1461 shoe is legendary, but there are some dos and don’ts when it comes to wearing it with different types of clothes.

Pair your 1461 shoes with dark chinos, a white button-down shirt, and a blue blazer for a smart-casual look.

Roll up your pants a notch or two to reveal some of the shoe’s characteristic yellow stitching.

Try wearing your 1461 shoes with raw denim jeans, a chambray shirt, and a brown leather jacket for a more rustic style. Roll those jeans up another notch!

Wear your 1461 shoes with black slacks, a white dress shirt, and a black jacket for a more formal approach. Keep the jeans hemmed so that they just cover the yellow stitching on the shoe.

Make sure to pay attention to your socks for all of these styles! Unlike the 1460 boots, the 1461s will reveal some sock, so make sure your socks match the rest of your outfit.

Men’s Doc Marten Style Guide: The 2976 Chelsea Boot

Everyone likes a pair of Chelsea boots – and as far as Dr. Marten boots go, these are undoubtedly the easiest to style across most formalities.

Wear slim-fit pants, a colorful shirt, and a blue blazer for a sophisticated casual look. Let the slacks sit just above the boot so some Chelsea elastic shows. Depending on your wardrobe, choose blue, beige, or black.

To get a more informal use out of your 2976 Chelseas, try some dark blue trousers with a white t-shirt.

Tuck in your t-shirt and wear a leather belt. Denim jackets or bombers make good outerwear.

Suit up the 2976s. These shoes would make wonderful summer wedding wear, so combining them with a pastel-colored suit would truly show off your sense of taste. To make this look a little more unique, try matching your suit with a patterned shirt and no tie.

Men’s Doc Marten Style Guide: The 101 Boots

The 101 boots are a little harder to dress up than the other Dr. Marten boots for men on this list. Why? It’s simple: If you don’t wear them right, their chunky shape and slightly shorter length can make your legs look shorter.

Even so, there are still a few ways you can wear these boots and look good.

Try putting on your 101 boots with a pair of dark-wash chinos, a short-sleeve button-down shirt, and a black suede bomber jacket for a smart-casual event.

Put on a pair of raw denim jeans, a white t-shirt, and a black leather bomber jacket for a casual look. Add a black leather bracelet and sunglasses that fit your face shape to step up your outfit.

And finally, you can wear the 101 boots to more formal events with black pants, a white dress shirt, and a grey wool blazer. You can’t wear these boots with a full suit because they’re too chunky and don’t go with the slim look of fine tailoring.

Men’s Doc Marten Style Guide: The 3989 Brogue Derby

The style of these shoes is on the more formal end of the scale. The 3989 Brogues are easy to dress up or down, which makes them a versatile shoe choice for any man.

Try the Brogue Derby shoes with a pair of dark-wash jeans, a white button-down shirt, and a gray cardigan for a smart-casual look.

Try wearing them with a pair of black raw denim jeans, a white t-shirt, and a denim jacket to dress them down. Keep this look simple and let the shoes steal the show.

And for a more formal look, try wearing the Brogue Derby shoes with black pants, a white Oxford button-down, and a black blazer.

Use a pocket square or tie to add a splash of color. You could almost wear these shoes with a suit. Should you wear them to something really formal? No, but you could wear them to the office for sure.

Men’s Doc Marten Style Guide: The Adrien Loafer

The Adrien loafer is the most divisive shoe style on this list. They’re neither casual nor dressy, so styling them can be difficult.

Avoid wearing these shoes in formal settings; they will not go with a full suit but will also not go with jeans.

Pair these bad boys with chinos, a button-up shirt, and a tailored blazer for a sophisticated casual look.

You could also pair them with dress pants, but I believe the chinos look better because they’re more relaxed.