> PICK OF THE WEEK

The Dr. Martens brand first emerged in 1960. Originally a partnership between an English workboots company and a German crew who had invented a revolutionary Air Cushion sole, the heavy-duty boots were picked up by ska-loving skinheads who paid fashion homage to the “working man.” Then Pete Townsend of the Who famously adopted a pair of Docs for his stage gear and a long line of rebellious youth picked up the uniform. Doc Marten is now a timeless staple, as valid on middle-aged moms as on their teenage sons. So what better way to refresh Valentine’s Day, that cloying holiday where your gift is open to scrutiny and disappointment, than to opt out of the usual and give a big, shiny pair of red arse-kickers?

The women’s version (shown here) is called Kubick and is deep cherry red. The men’s version called Ranck is a bit lighter of a red tone. Both are $165 at littleburgundyshoes.com.

Leanne Delap