With rain, sleet, snow and mud on the horizon for the foreseeable future, switch up your footwear game with one of this season’s biggest accessories trends: rubber boots.
Our white trainers are frankly no longer white this winter and sandal season is still a good few months away, so there’s only one thing for our feet right now: wellington boots.
Ordinarily, we would reach for hiking boots and stomper boots that have been given more airtime than usual lately thanks to brands like Ganni, Diemme, Grenson and ATP Atelier making these boot styles a sartorial staple. However, given the snow and rain that’s sprinkled across the weather app recently, luxe leather boots might be going back on the shelf for a while.
Thankfully the autumn/winter 2020 catwalks pre-empted this rainy onslaught and delivered a surprise accessories smash hit back in February last year: the rubber boot. Yes, believe it or not wellies are no longer reserved for country walks and muddy festivals, but have had a fashion makeover as the practical footwear of choice thanks to ultimate fashion tastemakers: Prada, Bottega Veneta and Versace.
At Prada, rubber boots were given the same treatment as stomper boots with heavy tractor-like treads, but with a playful edge via the sugared almond colour palette of baby blue, bubblegum pink and lilac. At Bottega Veneta rubber boots took on a slightly futuristic aesthetic with moulded gum boots in green and neon pink worn with slinky sequinned gowns. Versace opted for bright white boots paired with checked miniskirts and oversized puffer jackets.
Whether you’re escaping your working from home desk or heading for a weekly food shop, make sure you’ve got your footwear covered via our edit of the best rubber boots to tackle the cold weather.
Best rubber boots
Kurt Geiger
Best rubber boots: Kurt Geiger This cropped boot is one you’ll want to wear across all seasons. The Chelsea style will also make them work way beyond bad weather days.
8 by Yoox
Best rubber boots: 8 by Yoox For an effortless pair of rubber boots, look to this black style at Yoox. The clean, long style can be easily incorporated into any outfit no matter the season.
Stella McCartney x Hunter
Best rubber boots: Stella McCartney x Hunter Stella McCartney loves to create items that’ll work hard in your wardrobe forever, and these boots are one of them. In collaboration with rubber boot hero Hunter, they’ll last for seasons to come.
Shop Stella McCartney x Hunter boots at The Outnet, £189 (previously £315)
Everlane
Best rubber boots: Everlane Tonal dressers, rejoice! If you want the rubber boot to match your oatmeal jumper and your off-white jeans that you are teaming with your brown puffer jacket, look no further than a tan pair.
Hunter
Best rubber boots: Hunter We all know the iconic Hunter wellington boots loved by Alexa Chung and Kate Moss, but this season they have had a fashion overhaul. Still retaining their impervious rubber finish, the latest offering from the brand comes with a subtle stitch detail.
Shop Refined Stitch Detail Chelsea Boots in black at Hunter, £115
Ganni
Best rubber boots: Ganni Made from recycled rubber, Ganni’s rubber boots still have a stomper feel about them. Try yours with a vinyl trench coat for an elevated rainy look.
Botann
Best rubber boots: Botann The description to Botann’s off-white boots read, ‘A new kind of ethically-made rubber boot that’s styled for the city, engineered for nature and designed for endless adventures.’ And we are 100% sold.
Bottega Veneta
Best rubber boots: Bottega Veneta Put your best fashion foot forward in Bottega Veneta’s catwalk rubber boot. These aren’t for the faint hearted but will certainly back a sartorial punch.
Chloé
Best rubber boots: Chloé Chloé’s black Betty boots are a riff on classic Chelsea styles. They’re shaped from smooth rubber with a square toe and chunky block heel, then fitted with a knitted charcoal-grey wool cuff.
Shop Chloé’s Betty ribbed wool and rubber boots at Farfetch. £570
Camper
Best rubber boots: Camper The perfect pairing to your blue denim, wear Camper’s leather and rubber boots with a hoody and trench coat for a chic take on everyday dressing.
Aigle
Best rubber boots: Aigle If it’s a simple black rubber boot you seek, French brand Aigle have got you sorted.
Images: Courtesy of brands