Flower To The People

As part of the print-heavy fashion moment we're in, florals were one of the trends that emerged this past spring. Early adopters (i.e. Japanese men) started selling and wearing them almost immediately. I've always been a fan of very trad floral prints myself, especially when worn ironically. And what's more ironic than a pair of Doc Martens boots completely festooned with mumsy English roses?


Once favored by servicemen such as postal workers, policemen and factory workers in the 50s before being adopted by counterculture punks and skinheads in the 1970s, it's pretty safe to say that Doc Martens are a classic symbol of the rougher elements of society. So to try and make them more fashionable by adding hard-edged details like studs or distressed finishes would be uninspired. But a big, grandmotherly floral is just such a fucked up contrast that it makes the ideal counterpoint. And I mean for men. These early Fall Winter 2011 models were made for women, but on a woman these are just way too expected.


Doc Martens released these and a few other shoe shapes in a variety of canvas florals which you can see on their website. And they seem to believe in them so much that they're going forward with even more variations - and for men - in Spring Summer 2012, including a tapestry floral that is just so taking me back to the big tapestry trend of the mid 80s.


If you have a small enough foot size, and considering that the lasts are pretty identical for both genders, you can get a drop on the look by ordering the women's styles now. The black one in particular might be an easy intro to the look. Get them in the US for $130 for the boot styles via the Doc Martens online store here.