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Dr. Martens Vocabulary

Z Stitch - Classic Dr. Marten’s stitch that joining the welt, upper and insole. Traditionally yellow.

• Self Z Stitch - Z stitch that matches the color of the welt, either black or brown.
• Plain stitch - Stitching hidden within the welt and the sole.

Welt - PVC edging that is sewn onto the upper, permanently stitching the upper together to the insole and providing a base to attach the sole

• Z Welt - welt using our traditional yellow stitching or self stitch
• Plain welt - welting where the stitching is hidden from view
• Notched welt - welt with decorative notching
• Grooved welt - welt with grooving detail similar to grooves in sole.

Stitchdown - Traditional method of shoe construction where the upper is stitched and cemented directly onto the sole without a welt

Leathers - We use Full Grain leathers. Full Grain leathers are the best leathers available. The leather is the strongest and most durable available.

• Natural Grain - Leather that maintains many of the leather natural characteristics including texture and coloration.
• Corrected Grain - Leathers that have been infused with polishes and wax to produce a more even surface. Used on Smooth leathers and Wacky Prints.

Butt Seam - Detail where two edges of leather are sewn together to create a raised edge.

Cap Toe - Style with an extra layer of leather running left to right over the ball of the foot.

Padded Collar - Extra padding around the topline of the shoe for added comfort and fit.

Upper - Pieces of leather sewn together to makeup the shoe

Upper Stitch - Stitching used to assemble leather pieces into an upper

• Contrast upper stitch - detail using a contrasting color of stitch on a leather
• Self upper stitch - detail using similar colored thread to the leather.

Apron Front - style with a layer of leather running along the edge of the front of the shoe.

Lace to Toe - Style where the laces extend from the ball of the foot to the top eyelets.

Open Waist - Style where there is an open area between the toe and heel. Similar to a Mary Jane style.

PVC sole - Traditional sole used by Dr Martens. Made of a PVC compound (Poly Vinyl Chloride) that makes the sole resistant to acid, oil, fat, petrol and alkali.

Blown sole - Sole made of the same material as our PVC sole but the PVC is blown into the mold mixing the PVC with air, making the soles lighter in weight.

Lorica - Material used for our vegetarian line. Made of cellulose coated fabric, the material is supple, durable, breathes and maintains many similar qualities as leather.

Last - The molds that leather is pulled around and attached to the insole, giving shape to the shoe. Similar in appearance to a shoe tree.

Pull - Feature of leather that when pulled, the leather changes color and a depth can be seen. Usually, the leather will lighten in color when pulled.

Please note before you call us with questions or complaints, we are NOT Dr. Martens the company. However you may find answers to some of your question in our FAQ.