Dr. Martens are another one of those trends that I have held at arm’s-length for quite a while (like the “God-awful Birkenstocks sandals” which I now can’t get enough of in the summertime). My hesitation this time was less about them being fugly (IknowIknow, I have changed my tune to pure adoration now, so don’t come at me, ladies) and more than that…well, I’m 5’10. Now, this is not always the case, but usually more height equals larger feet. In my case, that happens to be a plain fact.
So, am I getting to my point yet? Yes. Yes, I am. Doc Martens definitely lean more towards the BIG, CLUNKY category in footwear. I think we can all agree on that. So, if you couple that with the whole I Have Bigger Feet Than Anyone Else In My Immediate Vicinity hang-up…you can maybe see why I hadn’t run at the chance to get them onto my nine-and-a-halfers and go clonking around. It just didn’t seem like a particularly fun time in my mind.
What To Wear With Combat Boots: 3 Ways I’m Styling Doc Martens
I should have checked that assumption at the door from the get-go, though, because I was DEAD WRONG. Doc Martens can actually be worn by those with real footers, if ya know what I mean. I have now tried and styled two different pairs of Dr. Martens, and I was not only extremely comfortable in them, but now ONLY want to reach for them when I
enter my closet, in search of shoes.
Tall gals or ladies with some extra inches of foot to love: if you’ve been holding off for the same reason I did…it’s time for you to put on some Doc Martens and *kaa-pow!* your way through your Big Foot mental block. Do it for me, do it for all of the ladies who feel like their feet would fit in at the circus, but most importantly…do it for you.
Here’s how I got down with them and styled the Pascal boot a few different ways…
Outfit 1: Doc Martens With A Comfortable Play Dress
Never heard of a play dress for adults? It’s a thing, and one of my new favorite mom-friendly lines has an array of gorgeous styles, all fit for running around and playing with your kids. I now love the dress below even more now since I realized it looks cool AF with my Docs.




dress – wearing S (+ similar option at Bloomies) | tights (+ similar) | boots (went down half size to 9) | hair clips | coat (all Orolay coats can be found here)
Outfit 2: Doc Martens With A Pretty Midi Skirt
One of my favorite things to try to do with these boots is “doll them up” a bit. Just like the dress, a flitty little midi skirt has been an easy way for me to wear the Doc Martens in a more feminine pretty way, when I’m in the mood for that particular vibe.




skirt – similar (+ another Anine Bing option) | jacket (wearing M) | sweater (+ similar) | turtleneck (similar) | boots | backpack (very similar)
Outfit 3: Doc Martens With My Favorite Skinny Jeans
Last, but certainly not least…the outfit that’s been on repeat. It involves one of my very favorite pairs of Levi’s, the coolest graphic tee, and the animal print jacket I’ve been wearing as often as possible. Not to mention, those sweet custom bracelets with my dad’s initials and my maiden name on them, which are very special to me. Also, Doc Martens just look so good with jeans, in general, so…




jeans (TTS) | jacket (wearing S, TTS) | tee (TTS, wearing S) | bodysuit (similar) | bag (same size as mine here + exact same bag, but medium size here) | boots | custom bracelets
Shop All Of My Favorite Doc Martens
Cheers,
Cams
Find me over on the gram (@camilledipaola) for more #TotallyCasualMotherhood moments.
Photos by Christina Hussey Photography – Charlotte, NC
I’ve never worn the tall ones, but I still have the pair I wore in high school (greasy black 3 eye) stashed in a box somewhere! Those things are over 25 years old lol.
I remember those…think I actually had a pair?t! Get them out! Doooooo it.
Love the looks Cam, but I have to say as a 5’9″ person with 10.5 feet, you don’t have big feet 😉
haha!! Thanks, Holly. You rock those feet, lady.
Yeah, 5’7″ here with 10/10.5 feet. Used to be 9.5. I stopped caring how big my feet look a long time ago. My dad told me for years that he wondered why we rented skis for me growing up, seeing as how my feet are so big (my mom’s are a size 6!). I’ll give these a shot as I really want combat boots but can’t find any that I like. Perhaps I should try again!
Good for you, seriously. I have come a long way from serial insecurity to not caring much at all about what people think of me anymore, but…but. I still think my feet are too big for some shoes. haha! Do try them again! PLEASE.
5’4″ but size 11 shoe. Betcha don’t see that combo every day. 😉
I bet I do and don’t even notice ;)!
Nothing to do with combat boots (they make my legs look choppy) but are you at Waverly?!?
Yes, actually!!
Love these looks! Makes me nostalgic for teen years where I had maroon, patent and brown pairs of docs and rocked Courtney love!
You look awesome!!! I need to find a pair of docs now that don’t make my look like I have clown feet… love yours!
Great post! You look fabulous in all of these looks! I’m a huge fan of Docs. I’ve been wearing them since high school and have a few pairs right now, but my cherry/oxblood ones are my number one go to. They make everything a little cooler in my book!
Looking for this exact pair with the gold hardware for my daughter. Shopbop the link you shared is sold out and I can’t seem to locate them anywhere else. Any ideas where I can find them? Search engines have been no help for this particular pair. 🙁
Love this article and you’ve inspired me to get a pair <3 did you size down any or get your regular size?
Thanks for this! I’ve been wanting a pair for awhile, but hesitating because of my big feet (10.5). I’m hoping the 10s will fit since you say you sized down.
Size 11 here and just bought my 4th pair (had black Oxford and fuschia Pascals back in the day, now I have wine patent and just ordered fur-lined Chelsea boots.) I have given up trying to hide the fact that I have big feet. Now I’m just excited when I can find shoes in my size!