6.16.2009

Girly Grunge

I am not of the generation that watched Brenda Walsh and Kelly Taylor feud over badboy Dylan McKay. I did not see the bookish Andrea Zuckerman moon nonstop over Brandon Walsh until she was already a high school graduate and married to someone else. And Steve Sanders? I didn’t meet this Corvette-driving rich kid until he had cleaned up his act and was running his own newspaper. No, I was too young to have experienced the first generation of Beverly Hills 90210 first-hand. Rather, I watched them in reruns throughout my adolescence, and grew to love them once the series had already come to an end. But the fashions never left my mind.

Donna Martin was quintessentially the best-dressed. She was quirky yet cute, and managed to fuse girly florals and ruffles together with the dark, utilitarian, androgynous styles that so perfectly fit the title of grunge. Yes, she would slip a pair of black 8-eyelet Doc Martens on her feet with thick socks and a short paisley colored dress, and manage to look trendy. She would pair that same bit of footwear with floral shirts and denim shorts and, once more, pull the look off perfectly.

Perhaps it was something to do with the fact that these 8-eyelet black Docs were not too short and not too tall, so they appeared unobtrusive to the girly look she had going on above the waist. Maybe it was simply that fashion was more in tune with grunge during the early 90s, so the style was accepted with open arms, more so than it would be today. Either way, it is a look that I have always loved, and attempted to recreate myself. Thus, when I spotted the new 8-eyelet Doc Marten release, I instantly thought of the perky blonde Ms. Martin.

The Dr. Martens Floral 1460 are the epitome of girly grunge. The old-school black and white Docs that have been around seemingly forever (and which I have loved since I was a fourth grader) have been remodeled, so to speak, to feature a floral print that is glamorous, yet still true to its grunge roots.

White Floral is dotted with bright blues, oranges, reds, and pinks. Black Floral is slightly different, embellished with more muted flower tones ranging from lavender to pale yellow. And while they are titled “boots,” you do not have to wait until the streets are slick with ice, or the rain is coming down in torrents to slip them on. The floral print makes them perfect for spring, summer, winter, or fall. The white would look decadent with a lacy, wedding-inspired dress. The black would look divine with minis or a motorcycle jacket. The versatility is undeniable; as are the trademark gems – bouncing soles, midsole contrasting stitching, and logo tag at the back.

In these, part of you can be chic, trendy, stylish, swank, smart, elegant…the other can be bedraggled, rough, tousled, scruffy, disheveled, mussed – all in a pretty way, to be sure. These are destined to appease the part of me searching for a pair of boots that works in all types of weather. A plat du jour that provides a flat sole and traction for those moments when I feel the need to make a sprint to the subway or the head of the sample sale line. A tour de force when I sense that my look of the moment requires a bit of edginess. This is girly grunge. Glam grunge. Feminine and sweet yet masculine and bitter.

I need a pair. Donna Martin would surely love a pair. Are your tootsies dying to slip into a pair, as well?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Urban Outfitters for the pictures.
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23 comments

fashiongrail said...

Gosh, I'm guilty of owning two pairs! Black boots and brown mary janes. They're my go to shoes during the winter when I want to be cute and comfy:)

Haute World said...

Ahh, I still have my normal black ones! They're not that old, but I bought them in my uni days so I would have something I could wear to rock concerts. When I was in school, this was all the rage as well. The guys in my class would spraypaint their docs in various colors. I think as you mentioned grunge had a lot to do with it. It was a Courtney Love type look to pair a babydoll dress with docs. Loved this post! :)

Sherin said...

I'm a huge grunge fan, but not sure if these shoes are for me. I like those 1st ones, but I doubt my little feet could handle these. I'm sticking to my converses, lol.

Couture Carrie said...

They are sooooo Donna Martin. Love the reference!

xoxox,
CC

Anonymous said...

i love the florals, definitely a fun contrast on the boots

ana said...

They are so cool!
:)

Marian said...

i liked 90210 so much! i never missed an episode! the outfits and wardrobes drew me in. i learnt a lot about styling through it. i adore the floral docs!
muah x
Marian

Amelia said...

I'm not big on Docs, but I love the floral ones! They would be perfect for stomping through the forest, as I seem to do a lot.

Casey Lewis said...

Your posts are absolutely adorable. You are such a cute writer!

Secretista said...

I'm not a fan of the Docs. Partially because they look horrible on me.

Keith said...

I was already an adult when 90210 started. I did watch it. I was a bigger fan of Melrose Place.

jess said...

I love floral docs.

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Clearly you did not see her hoop skirted disaster of a dance dress. Are you calling us 90210 generation-ers old? Ah ha ha ha

Post pics if you rock those Docs!

tanya said...

girl grunge...glam grunge...I love it!!

Eyeliah said...

okay I purchased the item, please email your mailing address to my email (on the contact page but eyeliah at hotmail)! :-)

miriam said...

love the floral pair! and thanks for bringing up so many great memories. i was brenda through all junior high! xx.

Meream said...

Would they look fine in a tiny girl? I'm super petite. :-/

yiqin; said...

I'd die for a pair of floral ones!!

Unknown said...

I am thinking of purchasing a pair, but my mum keep telling me "$120 for a pair of really ugly boots, no way" *sIgh* And the are just sooo cool and pretty, *sigh*
XOXOXO
Libby
http://fashionconfectionairy.weebly.com

myvogue said...

I like these shoes - they are perfect for a casual look, can be matched with jeans or baggy pants and will look great. So yes, definitely, those are a must when it comes to casual and comfy.

Iris said...

I'd never wear the dr. Martins myself but I know it can look so cool!

Ashley said...

Those boots are so cute! I don't normally love Doc Martens but somehow with the floral print I love them!

-Ashley
http://breakfastatsaks.blogspot.com

la petite fashionista said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE old school 90210. I always watch the old reruns & obsess/get inspired by Donna's kooky 90's style.

I'd love to rock the Doc Martens look, i've never tried a pair on, but I feel like they're something I'd be into.

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