Introducing: Dr. Martens opens store on Queen West
The place: The 1990s are back, big time. Biggie blasts on Chum FM, Sperrys and Red Wings are cool again, plaid dominates the city’s wardrobe—hell, even Ace of Base is back together. So we weren’t shocked to see that ’90s mainstay Dr. Martens is back in Toronto, too, with its first Canadian retail space at Queen and Spadina. The store is a yellow space reminiscent of the bright stitching synonymous with Docs. Oversized palm chairs are an inviting, if a little surreal, spot to try on the kicks, and for some reason, a piano sits at the register; guests are invited to play. We saved the rendition of Chopsticks for another day.
The stuff: Most people remember Docs from their Nirvana-era heyday, but the company is actually celebrating its 5oth anniversary this year. Offering much more than eight-holes (and angst), the store carries a plethora of more modern styles that typically retail for between $140 and $200. As we’ve come to expect from the fashion world, women’s styles are more varied than men’s (for fellas, most differences are in height, though there are manly unisex suede brogues), with wedges, heels and shearling-lined boots. The patent boots and shoes in metallic gold and silver have been such hot sellers, the store (only open for two weeks) has already had to restock.
The shoppers: Fashion types looking to ape recent runway looks from Alexander Wang and Balmain, gals sick of mukluks and Uggs as their only winter boot options, and hipster dudes adding a touch of badass to their wardrobe (boat shoes don’t exactly scream “tough guy”).
Our favourite thing: Fall may have just begun, but we’re thinking of spring with cute floral-patterned boots—a far cry from the maudlin mid-’90s, canvas ($100) and pony-hair boots ($430).
Dr. Martens, 391 Queen St. W.
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