Multicultural ska-skinheads in 1960s Britain, punk rockers in the decades that followed, ‘90s grunge kids, and heavy metal musicians in the 2000s—generation after generation has made Dr. Martens its own.
Since 1960, these iconic boots have been a tool for self-expression and personal empowerment. Style them your way or customize them to make them truly yours—just like UK youth once painted them with their unique flair, long before top designers did the same.
The story of Dr. Martens began in 1945 when German doctor Klaus Märtens injured his foot and designed a more comfortable alternative to traditional leather-soled boots. The British Griggs family licensed his design, made key refinements—including the now-signature yellow stitching—and launched the boot we know today. As British society shifted and subcultures rose, these boots became a symbol of rebellion and identity. Decades later, they’re still making statements on streets around the world.
