Style-driven footwear for rainy days and winter weather
The key to staying warm and dry through the wetter, colder months starts with well-designed footwear. Luckily, the world of wellies has expanded beyond the basic rubber model to encompass a wide range of style-focused boots still durable enough for a solid trek through the elements. Weather the stormy season with one of our favorite styles.
Givenchy
Made in Italy, Givenchy’s solid rubber rain boots are a waterproof take on the classic riding boot. The simple black lace-ups pack enough style for wear even when the sun is shining. The Rider Rainboots sell from Ssense for $295.
Burberry
For a rain boot with some edge, look to Burberry’s Mid Buckle boot. The synthetic uppers closely mock real leather, giving the boots a sophisticated mien without sacrificing function. The rain boots sell from Zappos Couture for $250.
Sorel
The classic duck boot gets freshened up with a bright pop of purple on its rubber base. Face rainy days and cold temperatures with the cheery, effectively transitional lace-up, which features the same durable all-over waterproof construction and Thinsulate insulation. The Women’s Chayanne Lace Boot sells for $115 at Sorel online.
Woman by Common Projects
Another take on the traditional duck boot explores a more sophisticated look without sacrificing the essential elements that make the style a winter standard. Woman by Common Projects has produced a beautiful navy-on-brown lace-up style that looks elegant and tough all at once and, most importantly, manages to keep feet warm and dry in superior style. The boots go for $570 at La Garconne.
Sperry
A leader among boat shoes, Sperry knows a thing or two about waterproofing. Keeping with their nautical approach, the Pelican Tall Boot Lug features classic blue and white stripes on the outside and a micro-fleece lining for added warmth. The Sperry boots sell online for $70.
Ilse Jacobsen Hornbæk
Danish designer Ilse Jacobsen is revered in Scandinavia for making high-quality, hand-assembled boots from natural rubber. She’s brought her activity-driven tall lace-up boots stateside, and each pair features a cotton fleece lining, heat insulating interiors and non-skid rubber soles. The Hornbæk boots sell from Need Supply for $199.
Loeffler Randall
Minimalists will delight in LR’s latest rain boot—the slip-on bootie looks just as sleek as the dress shoe it replaces on a wet commute, with a slip of a wedge heel to keep hemlines safe. The rain slip-ons are available at Loeffler Randall online for $150.
Seavees for Madewell
The California brand collaborated with Madewell on fashion-infused replicas of the boots worn by San Francisco naval yard workers. The mid-height lace-ups come with molded soles and a light fleece lining to keep feet warm and comfortable while traipsing around in the rain.The Off Shore Mid Rain Boots are available online only for $115 a pair.
Joules
Combining soft, mid-weight insulation with a low-rise bootie silhouette, the Wellibob Welly does its duty as a highly functional, wearable shoe-boot. For the days when some splash protection is needed, but you can’t commit your outfit to an all-terrain knee-high, the Wellibob, with a shiny eggplant finish, pulls on nicely. The wellies sell through Joules for £32.95.
Rachel Comey
The designer has amassed a devoted following for her shoes, which she seems to ace whether they’re summer sandals or winter boots. As the elements intensify, Comey’s Baxter Boot offers the brand’s signature understated aesthetic with a solid foundation of a hearty winter-ready insulated lace-up. Priced at just $196—significantly lower than the designer’s typical range around the $500 mark—the boots have sold fast and are already hard to come by. Gargyle is taking pre-orders on larger sizes, as well as names for a waiting list on any returns, while Creatures of Comfort has a few pairs left.
See by Chloe
Glossy navy blue rubber is accented by deep gold laces and a subtle side pocket in these See by Chloe rain boots. Finished with a sturdy rubber sole and a plaid lining, the boots have just the right touch of college prep for walking to class or to the office on rainy autumn days. They sell from Otte for $215.
Tretorn
Created for Tretorn’s 120th anniversary, the Sofiero 120 År PVC-free natural rubber rain boots are a warm solution to cold rainy days with a micro-fleece lining, sock liner and insole. The red laces at top keep water from coming in while adding to the femininity of the sturdy hiking-style boot. Sofiero 120 År sell from Tretorn for $85.
