Factory work boots and a cushioned sole developed by a medical doctor recuperating from a broken foot seem like an incredibly unlikely starting point for footwear that would become a staple of cutting-edge youth culture.

But why would a shoe synonymous with individualistic style have a story about doing things the usual way? After widespread adoption by subcultures in 1960s England unlocked the fashion potential of their humble work boots, the genie was well and truly out of the bottle and the genre-hopping style of Dr. Martens was born.

• Suede upper 
• Tonal stitching
• Padded collar 
• Goodyear-welted
• Rubber outsole

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