A Complete Guide to Doc Martens Lace Code

What do the colors mean in lace code?

Red—Violence or white supremacy: Red laces in work boots often symbolize that someone is violent or ready for a fight. Some anarchist and white supremacist groups also wear red laces to show their affiliation. In some areas, wearing red laces can lead to a confrontation, usually with someone who wants to keep racism out of their community. Some groups require members to earn their red laces by committing an act of violence.

White—White supremacy: In lace code, white laces often symbolize white supremacy or white pride. This symbol is sometimes used by members of the KKK and neo-Nazis—separate groups with similar hate-based ideologies. Today, some people just wear white laces because they’re the easiest to find. But it may still be best to choose a different color if you want to avoid the association.

Blue—Protests police brutality: People sometimes wear blue laces to protest police brutality, inequality, and institutional racism. For some people, this symbol is meant to be inspirational, symbolizing that you support peace and justice or you’re an ally of marginalized or oppressed groups. In some circles, blue laces indicate that a person has killed a police officer or supports violence against law enforcement.

Yellow or orange—Anti-racism: Yellow and orange laces are popular with SHARPS—Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice. They’re used to show that you don’t support racism and are an ally of people of color. Some Docs come with yellow and orange laces, so this can also be a neutral choice.

Purple—LGBTQ+ or ally: When lace code originated in the 70s, being openly gay could be dangerous. Purple laces became a subtle way for people to communicate their sexual preference. The color purple is still often used to represent the queer community today.

Black—Neutral: Most Docs come with black laces, and keeping the original laces doesn’t really send a message. If you’re intentionally trying to choose a neutral or ambiguous option, this is a good choice. If you ladder-lace your boots, it may emphasize your neutral position, since that’s the style used in lace code.

Green—Neutral or environmentalist: Green laces are a popular alternative to neutral black laces. They can also indicate that you’re passionate about sustainability and protecting the environment. In some circles, green may symbolize that you’re of Irish descent.

Pink—Women’s rights: Pink is widely used to represent feminist causes, and lace code is no different. If you see pink laces, the wearer is probably passionate about womens’ health and rights. Pink laces can also symbolize the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.

Is lace code dead?

Lace code is not widely used today. Most people choose their lace colors based on aesthetics. But in some circles, it may still be taken seriously, so if you’re going to be somewhere with a with a strong underground scene—like a punk show or a political rally—you may want to wear a neutral color like black or green. Red laces may still be used by hate groups in some areas, so it’s best to avoid that color if you don’t want to be associated with those values.

Can you mix colors in lace code?

Most people don’t mix colors, but you can if you want. Typically in lace code, people choose one color to send a strong message. But if you’ve decided to try lace code for yourself, you can mix and match colors to send your own message. For instance, you might wear purple in one boot and yellow in the other to send the message that you’re a queer anti-racist.

Does lace code apply to all shoes?

Lace code usually applies to steel-toed work boots. Doc Martens are the most popular brand, but you can use any brand of boots. But in groups that use lace code to identify members, the code probably still applies even if you’re wearing a different style of shoe. Because red laces are widely associated with violence and racism, some people choose to avoid them in any shoe style.

How do you lace your shoes for lace code?

Lace code uses a ladder-lace style. To ladder-lace (or straight-lace) your shoes, thread the shoestring so the ends go down through the last pair of eyelets (closest to the toe). Bring one end of the shoestring up through the hole directly above it on the same side, then cross that side of the shoelace across and down through the eyelet parallel to that one. Repeat with the other string on the next set of free eyelets, and keep going all the way up the shoe. Ladder-lacing is popular in many subculture communities (like punks and skaters) because it’s different from the conventional way of lacing shoes.