How to Wear Doc Martens Over 40 & Beyond

Combat Boots for Women

Want to amp up your style and add some edginess to your safe conservative look? If you are over 40, over 50 or beyond, I have you covered! I will share how to wear Doc Martens to look stylish and chic.

If your typical vibe is classic and conservative (like mine), why not step out of your comfort zone and step into a playful and fun space by styling some Doc Martens? A year ago I ached to get out of my boring, comfortable, conservative lane and live life more on the edge. It doesn’t always need to be a radical change – sometimes, something as simple as changing your shoes, or boots in this case, can make a big difference. This was the beginning of adding Doc Martens’ to my life.

This post is all about how to wear Doc Martens over 40, over 50 and beyond!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I will receive a small commission for promoting an item if you purchase through the link I have provided (at no additional cost to you). The items selected in this post are products I have promoted because I like them, and the opinions presented are all my own. For more information, see my blog compensation & disclosure page shown in the header or footer section of this page.

Can I Pull This Off?

One of the first times I asked myself, “can I pull this off?” I was trying on a black leather fitted sheath dress for an upcoming Aerosmith concert I was going to with a wonderful man I just started dating. My teenaged daughter, who knew I was approaching fifty, was shopping with me, so after I slipped on the dress, I asked her opinion about whether it looked good and if I could “pull this off.” So sweet and diplomatic, she said, “Yes! Mom, you’re like 35. You look great.” Completely unexpected, but that was the right answer! Oh, how I love that girl!!

The comment that day was a reminder that age is just a number and a personal mindset. If you dress in a way that is chic and classic, you can wear just about anything, including Doc Martens.

Styling combat boots is exciting, yet also a personal challenge for me because they take me so far out of my comfort zone. But this makes it fun and makes me think differently about how to remain true to my style while exploring something new. What I know about life and about myself, unless we are a little uncomfortable, we are not growing.

When approaching how to wear Doc Martens, this continues to be my mindset.

Seven Years Later…

Now, seven years later, that wonderful man is my husband, and he still asks about that black leather dress.

My Doc Martens have not made quite the same impression as that leather dress did, but my lumberjack-inspired outfit styled with Doc Martens recently caught his eye.

Classic, but cute, this black and white flannel shirt and a pair of skinny medium washed jeans are the perfect pieces to pair with my patent leather Doc Martens for a stylish look. Sleeves and pant legs rolled up, along with a half-tuck, and the look is complete.

It seems like my dog Zoe thinks my outfit is pretty cute too…or maybe she was waiting patiently to go outside for a walk.

How to Wear Combat boots Burgundy Outfit

How to wear combat boots with a cropped sweater

How to Wear Combat boots with a flannel shirt

Double O-Ring Soft Faux Leather Waist Belts

A True Classic, since 1901

Although Doc Martens has technically been around since 1901, they first entered my fashion-world twenty-plus years ago for those expressing a grungy-goth vibe. Definitely not anything I would consider. The boots have changed little, but the color and texture offerings have come quite a long way. I’ve come a long way too. After all, I now find Doc Marten black patent leather combat boots, one of the go-to edgy items in my wardrobe.

Getting philosophical now. This is funny but true. I could compare doc Marten combat boots to how we should our lives. Although something may not have served you at one time, it does not mean it’s out forever. By letting ourselves experiment and look at old things in a new way, we learn and grow. We live our best lives when we are expressing ourselves exactly where we are in life. This means we need to be open to new things to continue to learn and grow and become the best versions of ourselves.

Dr. Martens’ appeal to people who have their own individual style but share a united spirit – authentic characters who stand for something. People who possess a proud sense of self- expression. People who are different.
On a stylistic level, Dr. Martens’ simple silhouettes allow their wearers to adopt the boots and shoes as part of their own individual and very distinctive style; on a practical level, their famous durability and comfort make them ideal for the unforgiving world of gigs and street fashion; and then finally, on an emotional level, they are a badge of attitude and empowerment.
– DocMartens.com

Add Some Edgy

It all started when I began looking to add some freshness and edginess to my classic look. Getting a bit bored and feeling like I was in a style rut, I thought about how Doc Marten combat boots might offer the perfect style juxtaposition and interject the unexpected into my typical look. Just what the doctor ordered. These boots have been the perfect addition to my wardrobe.

Whenever I want to amp up my style a bit, I slip on these boots with just about any classic outfit, and the last look is fresh, fun, and pulled together. They are super versatile, great with blue or black jeans, leggings, or even a flowy skirt.

Black Leather Jacket & Combat Boots

Not completely unexpected, here’s a take on how to wear Doc Martens with a black leather moto jacket. But true to my style, I love the look of a pink blouse with feminine details, a strand of pearls, a pair of well fitting medium-wash skinny jeans, and a black (reversible) Tory Burch logo belt.

Camel Blazer Outfit with Dr. Martens

A camel blazer and black and white flannel shirt? Yes! A cool vibe for sure….so edgy and chic. With this leopard print blouse, burgundy jeans, and camel (reversible) Tory Burch logo belt, this outfit has the ideal juxtaposition between classic and edgy to make it interesting. Both elegant and that cool element, this outfit has it all.

Classic Combat Boots

Now part of my classics, I wear my black patent leather Doc Marten combat boots with almost any classic wardrobe essential clothing item in my closet. For more information about my must-have classic wardrobe essentials, don’t forget to look at my related posts below.

Olive Utility Jacket Outfit

What about “how to wear Doc Martens, southwest style?” Love this Olive utility jacket with Southwest details, styled with a stylish crochet detailed white blouse, camel (reversible) Tory Burch logo belt, and well fitting medium-wash skinny jeans.

Jean Jacket Outfit

Simple and stylish, Doc Martens pair perfectly with a classic blue jean jacket! Add a black vneck tshirt, black jeans, and a black (reversible) Tory Burch logo belt, and we have another easy example of how to wear Doc Martens.