11.07.2011

Are Dr. Martens Going the Way of the Bow Tie?

Bow Ties used to be the bomb. It used to be (yes, in my lifetime) that bow ties were only worn by a fringy subset of men: nerds, grandpas, Bill Nye the Science Guy, historians, tuba players, Pee Wee Herman...the nostalgics, the romantics, the weirdos...

Yet somewhere between Chuck Bass and the popularization of prep style, the bow tie became cool - it became expected - instantaneously eliminating all of the intrigue and charm it once possessed.

My current fear?

Dr. Martens, originally popularized by British punk culture in the 70's and 80's, then trekking overseas to American punk/grunge subculture in the 90's - I fear, are going the way of the bow tie. Footwear that was once loud and awkward and extreme, and a signature shoe of counterculture and irreverence, is now becoming ubiquitous amongst bloggers and streetstyle culture. They are no longer tough, but flirty. They can't be clunky when they're two-toned and classy!

Somebody save the Dr. Martens!! Whatever, that's not gonna happen. I suppose I'll have to wear mine until they become devoid of all original meaning, then store them for a decade or two and wait for the storm to pass. My condolences to all you former bow tie wearers weathering the same storm.

Godspeed,
Mihal

2 comments:

Rachel Pingel said...

I find your unwillingness to wear something, simply because it's 'popular' a little sad. I've cut a few items out of my own style over the years(not due to popularity, but due to who embraced their popularity). My docs are one thing, that I've never stopped wearing. The way I see it, if you combined your boots with the right outfit, they will always look 'clunky' or 'tough'.
Just because no one else knows how to style them, doesn't mean you should neglect the world of your boot wearing choices.
That's what I think anyway...

Mihal said...

A little sad huh? Well, sucks for me I guess. Sometimes I like my clothing to mean something, to represent something...I think we have the ability to communicate through our clothes. And when it's lost all meaning because pop culture has totally white-washed it, I lose interest. That's what I think anyway...