There were some mixed reactions in the comments section to some Dr. Martens sandals I ordered and then cancelled when I realized they were in fact men’s sandals. Some people agreed with me that they were girly, and also that they were pretty. Other people agreed that they were girly, but thought they were kind of ugly. Other people thought they looked like men’s sandals. Other people were unpleasantly reminded of girly ex-boyfriends. Here’s a photo of the sandals to refresh your memory:
I went back and forth. Would the Dr. Martens people think I was crazy if I ordered the sandals a second time after making that pitiful plea that they cancel my order? Did I even want the sandals anymore after LoriD‘s comment about the sandals being “Girly in an ‘I’m going on a hike to eat granola with a baby on my back’ kind of way”? LoriD, you wound me with the sword of truth. As soon as you said it, I realized it was true.
So now I am considering a different pair. I usually avoid backless sandals, because I don’t like to have to clench my toes to keep sandals on, nor do I like the way they sproing up to slap the soles of my feet with every step. But my cousin has this pair and she assures me that there is no toe-clenching or sole-slapping with these. It seems to me that slip-on sandals would be perfect for right now, when I no longer bend at the waist.
Of course I would treasure your input. Are these better than the girly-man ones? Or are they just as hike-and-granola (*wince*)?
I actually liked the others, but these are even CUTER!! Definitely more girly, and I don’t think they look too granola either.
These are much, much better. I wear slip ons all summer long and never have the clenching problem as long as I try them on before buying to check for that. But since your cousin has them and can attest to their non-slippery-ness, I would feel safe ordering them online. They are much cuter!
Delurking here to say that I actually like the brown ones better. =)
I don’t think you’ve gained any more feminine points with this one. And I would feel sort of pigeon-toed flapping around in these. I definitely couldn’t outrace anyone in shoes.
Oh, geez, you guys. I have some sandals similar to the first ones. And I eat granola! Granola is delicious! And I like to hike! I also have many cute shoes. I’ll probably be in the minority on this one, but I like the first ones better. Mostly because I refuse to wear backless shoes because of the reasons Swistle listed. I shy from them even when I’m told they won’t slip. I also think the buckles are cuter on the first pair, and they look less likely to stretch.
Also, I think the general roundness of the first pair looks more comfortable. And the back strap seems as if it would help keep too much pressure from being on the top strap.
I think way too much about shoes before I buy them, obviously.
I’m a shoe queen. If I have extra money it’s shoes or chocolate. I like the second pair but then I love backless slip-ons. They are just so EASY to get in and out of and they are usually extremely comfortable. Good ones that fit probably will not have you toe clenching or sole slapping.
I meant to say “that fit PROPERLY”……I really should proofread.
I found it funny as I read this post because just the other day I read that a friend of mine puchased a pair of men’s Dr. Martens and was worrying about them being too manly, but she loves them just fine! I actually think the top pair is cuter, since the bottom pair looks like something my mom would wear :-P But since I don’t know you, maybe you’d wear them too. Haha
Hmmm. Well. Hmmm.
I’m slightly biased in the negative towards sandals anyway, because I used to know this weird girl who wore the same pair of weird, ugly sandals for about four years straight, not that four years is too long to wear a pair of shoes, but that this particular pair of sandals was not a pair one would wish to keep for four years. It was more the type for flying across the country, opening the door to your hotel room, searching through your suitcase for a more comfortable pair of shoes, finding not one single solitary pair because they are all forgotten at home, and racing out in a panic to Walmart.
I am also negatively biased about sandals because of a weird science teacher I had who showered maybe once a month and always walked around with her sandal straps unbuckled.
And so it is for these reasons that I choose not to provide you with any sage counsel, Swistle.
I like both pairs! But slip on when pregnant is definitely a plus. :)
How brave of you to base your next shoe purchase on the opinions of total strangers! And you do not even know what we look like in person! Perhaps, as I recommend to you that the 1st sandal choice is better than the 2nd sandal choice, you do not realize I am wearing a shirt made out of french toast, my mother’s bloomers, and that I have not worn shoes since 1982.
I think there is an aspect of Doc Marten’s that are always going to be hike-and-granola, but these are much less so.
Ohhh… me and my mouth! I’m sorry to have wounded your opinion of the first sandals. :-)
Having said that, I do like your second selection – looking at the two together, the first pair looks like a little kids’ shoe and the second looks like a grown-up shoe. I can see them with jeans, shorts, capris, a casual skirt… as long as your toes are painted!
I like them. We are investing in a family supply of crocs soon. I am not super fond of how they look but I think they will be essential in our yard and on our boat.
I love them BOTH. Both slip-ons and mules were a MUST while I was pregnant. I agree with Lucy’s mom–if they’re made right (and let’s face it, Doc Marten’s ARE good shoes), then there will be no toe clenching or sole slapping.