One of the UK’s most iconic footwear brands is Dr Martens. The company has a long and respected reputation for making incredibly robust, comfortable and practical footwear. If you’ve been considering investing in a pair, then here are some of your questions answered:

Can Dr Martens be resoled?

These shoes and boots are so resilient that it’s hard to see why you’d ever need them resoled. However, the footwear is moulded in one piece and would need to be returned to the factory for a new sole to be stitched on.

Where are they made in England?

The iconic footwear is manufactured in the Cobbs Lane factory in Wollaston, Northampton and have been since their beginnings in the UK in 1960. Some production is outsourced to factories elsewhere in the world, but the Wollaston factory is used to make the exclusive ‘Made in England’ line of boots.

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How do you wear Dr Martens boots?

The simple answer is easily! They are the most versatile footwear and can be worn by literally anyone with any styling. From police officers to punk rockers, the DM boot can be teamed up with any outfit or uniform. They are also timeless, with people styling them with formal suits, as well as jeans and t-shirts. There are lots of fashion blogs dedicated to how to dress your DMs where you’ll find plenty of inspiration.

What is the sizing like?

Sizing depends on the style you are seeking. It is always recommended that you try on footwear before you buy. If you find you’re between sizes, you can always try the shoe or boot with an insole. Visit https://www.cottersshoes.co.uk/product-category/brand/dr-martens/ to get fitted for your DR Martens Gloucester.

Are Doctor Martens waterproof?

The footwear brand is not 100% waterproof but are designed to withstand wet conditions up to a certain extent. You can increase the water resistance by applying a shoe oil. A balsam specially designed for Dr Martens containing coconut oil, beeswax and lanolin helps to protect the leather from salt, liquids and water. You can also use the balsam to polish your boots, keep them supple and prevent any leather-cracking.

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How long do Dr Martens last?

The shoes and boots of this brand are renowned for their durability, quality, craftsmanship and strength. Some wearers have claimed that they have been wearing their boots for two decades! With the right care and love, a pair of Dr Martens can last a lifetime.

One of the first high-profile musicians to wear a pair of Dr Marten boots was Pete Townshend of The Who. We’ve all heard of Dr Marten’s and they are undoubtedly one of the most iconic footwear symbols of the 20^th century. From subculture to trusted workwear, the Dr Marten has seen a lot of action since its inception during the Second World War. Pete Townshend obviously loved his boots just like the rest of us have at some point growing up in the UK. What if he decided he loved them so much, he was going to open his own shoe shop? Here, we enter the world of ‘If The Who sold shoes’.

My Generation – Quite a few generations can claim Dr Marten’s as their own. Worn by punks, skinheads (in a rather negative period of their history), goths, emos, grunge, mods, rockers, hippies and almost every other generation of young people since the Second World War.

Amazing Journey – Once you’ve broken in your boots, you feel like walking for miles. The specially designed air cushion sole was trademark of Dr Marten long before other shoe manufacturers began doing something similar for comfort. The grip, support and comfort of these shoes or boots provides you with a kind of confidence to step out and take yourself on an amazing journey. 

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Early Morning Cold Taxi – You won’t want to be getting in a taxi or on a bus. Now you have a pair of reliable Dr Marten’s, you’ll want an excuse to walk everywhere!

Faith in Something Bigger – This is a brand you know you can trust. They have been in production in the UK since 1960 and have been the trusted footwear to police officers, soldiers, paramedics, nurses and other tough professions ever since. This is a brand that inspires confidence and top-quality footwear.

Had Enough – You will likely outgrow the colour or pattern before the boots even think about giving up the ghost. These things are tough, durable, hard-wearing and almost immortal – such is their build-quality. You can put these boots through almost anything and they will never let you down. To get  your hands on a pair of DR Martens Gloucester, visit https://www.cottersshoes.co.uk/product-category/brand/dr-martens/

Glittering Girl – Dr Marten’s don’t just come in cherry red or black, there are all kinds of colours, patterns, designs and even materials. Whether you fancy a flowery pair, a patriotic Union Jack pair or some white, lace-trimmed bridal boots – there’s a colour, style and pattern for everyone.

The Punk and The Godfather – Dr Marten’s have the ability to cross boundaries of culture and time. They have appealed to so many different groups of people and continue to do so in a truly timeless way that not many other shoes can boast. Whether worn by a bobby on the beat, an accountant walking to the office, a punk rocker or indeed a mafia mobster – there’s a Dr Marten shoe to suit everyone.

If we go back just 10 or 15 years, pen pals were rife and many people still chose to write letters to long-distance friends or relatives. We rarely see this now. Even a phone call is considered by a lot of young people to be a barely tolerable necessity rather than a convenient way of contacting a friend. Many schools held pen pal schemes with children from other countries, putting their pupils in contact with someone and writing them letters in each other’s languages. It all seems rather idyllic and almost vintage now that over a decade has passed since it was popular.

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School pressure

This is not to say that nobody writes letters at all. Over one-quarter of children between the ages of 8 and 11 still take the time to write a letter; however, when they reach adolescence, life seems to take a faster pace and the art of letter writing seems to fade away. Could it be the pressures of school? In recent years there has been massive pressure on children to perform – especially at this age – in tests and exams. Writing letters could boost their reading and writing skills, but what use is this if they simply don’t have the time?

Social media

It goes without saying that social media plays a part in the equation. The point is that writing letters is slow; in fact, it is the slowest way of communicating (if the postal service has anything to do with it). Now that Twitter and Instagram are so ingrained into daily life, the thought of taking the time to write a letter barely crosses peoples’ minds.

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Has letter writing been lost forever? Hopefully not. The recent trend in ‘vintage’ aesthetics could bring about a rise in popularity once again. There is even a national letter writing month and there are plenty of things we can do to make it easier to write. A padded lap tray from a stockist such as Personalisedlaptrays.co.uk can make all the difference when it comes to comfort.

With any luck, we have not seen a complete loss of this beautifully personalised way of communicating with someone. If we take the pressure off children at school and bring back the ability to take time and be patient, we could one day see it making a comeback.

When it comes to gift giving, the old cliché holds true because it really is the thought that counts. Here are seven ways you can give more thoughtful presents that the receiver will love and treasure.

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Get personal

Any name can be added to products when you choose a customised, personalised gift. You can have the full name, a nickname or pet name engraved, etched, sewn or stamped, depending on the product, to make the gift unique.

Go beyond a name

Many products will have room for a slightly lengthier personalisation, so don’t feel limited to just a name. Small messages or a significant date can add a special touch to that perfect gift.

A range of gifting categories

A personalised gift shows you have put time, thought and effort into your present. There are lots of categories from which to choose, from trinkets, toys and jewellery to cushions, mugs, calendars and lap trays, which are available from stockists such as https://personalisedlaptrays.co.uk/collections/lap-trays.

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Choosing something with the recipient in mind and personalising it increases the feeling of the recipient being understood, which research shows results in more gratefulness in long-term relationships.

A practical solution

For small children, having name tags on items, such as a coat or lunchbox, aids the ability for them to find their belongings. This can help to foster a sense of independence while being a practical solution to ensure possessions aren’t lost, misplaced or mixed up. Engraving is especially beneficial here, as it won’t fade or chip away. This makes it a versatile solution for even the most played-with toys.

Gifting for young children

At an earlier age, personalised possessions and toys can help a child to identify letters, sounds and the written form of their own name, helping them to become more familiar with it and learning its spelling more quickly.

Give an experience

An experience can be a priceless and thoughtful alternative to a physical gift. These are the gifts that create memories to last a lifetime, whether a ride in a hot air balloon, a trip to the zoo, or a show at the theatre.

A gift that keeps on giving

Make the joy of receiving gifts last longer and build the anticipation with a subscription gift, such as media streaming, a magazine, wine, or a monthly beauty box.