In preparation for festival season, Florence and the Machine this weekend and the Volvo Ocean Race (it’s fine weather for ducks isn’t it?) today we’re looking at a festival going staple – wellington boots.
Revellers go crazy buying wellies in the weeks and days coming up to their favourite festival, so we advise you to do your research now and buy now rather than later when they are all sold out and you don’t have time to wait for your online shipment to arrive because you’ve left it too late.
Much as we would love to be wearing our flip-flops all summer long – in Ireland we seem to be suffering from a great global rain-cloud during the summer months so wellies are so much more practical for the muddy fields that await you – perhaps bring your flip-flops anyway for the shower or in case the mud miraculously dries up in time for when you’re favourite band hits the stage. Here are some tips on how to look good in your wellington boots.
Ankle wellington boots
If you fancy an ankle boot, then wellibob boots are a must. Classic, practical and stylish, these ankle boots ensure that bad weather survival can be enjoyed in style.
Joules Glossy Wellibob Boots €45, Littlewoodsireland.ie
Colourful and patterned wellies
Colour code your wellingtons with your outfit – you can now buy wellies in any colour and pattern. Irish company Welly4u sell both of these patterned wellies pictured above.
Team your wellies up with hot pants or mini-dresses – with tights or bare legs. You can pick up wellington socks in Office which will only add to your outfit.
Go for a more shaped and fitted Wellington boot. Our favourite is the Scottish brand Hunter, which is a stylish boot which comes in block colours such as black, green, red, yellow and silver. Favoured by many celebs including Kate Moss and Nicole Richie (pictured), the Hunter not only comes out for Festivals but for rainy winter days around town and autumn walks in the woods.
Style and comfort
If comfort is what you need opt for 100% rubber rather than PVC which is a cheaper material. Choose boots that are made from softer rubber which is much more flexible and comfortable – the last thing you need during all the festival madness is to be uncomfortable.
If you’re looking for comfort over a cheaper, trendy boot, try to pick a wellington boot which has a lining and insole. We love these Hunter sheepskin lined boots at Office.
Hunter Regent adley lace boot black rubber, €75
If you have boot leg jeans try wearing your jeans rolled up outside your wellies by folding up a cuff at the bottom of each jeans leg giving a 3/4 trouser effect. This is practical as it keeps your jeans dry while also allowing us to see your funky wellie style.
Where to buy wellingtons
From the Queen to celebs to local farmers, the Hunter wellington boot (pictured top right) wins for sturdiness, style, colour options and they even have a slight heel.
Buy from Irish online shop Welly4u which has a great selection of Hunters, Salamander and patterned wellies.
Office and Fitzpatricks also stock wellingtons and now have Hunters wellies in all shapes and sizes.
For fail safe year round wellie buying, we recommend Rory’s Fishing Tackle shop in Temple Bar Dublin (beside Elephant and Castle restaurant) where a pair of Hunters sells for €75.
Find budget wellingtons at Penneys, we love their cherry red wellie which is in stock right now (€13).
Red wellys Penneys €13
Find wellys with a wedge heel, croc wellies and wellies for wide calves at Wedgewelly.co.uk
Croc wellingtons
Alternatively, if you really want to up the wellie fashion stakes, Jimmy Choo has designed boots for Hunter (pictured top left) which are Crocodile embossed rubber with a leopard print interior lining. They will set you back a whopping $399 from the Jimmy Choo online shop but we’ve found a budget alternative at WedgeWelly with these fab croc “maneater” wellies €59.95! The Wedgewelly Flex range incorporates an extendable gusset which is popular with ladies who want to “tuck their jeans in”.
See the gallery below for more wellington inspiration
What wellington style will you be wearing this summer?
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May 18, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Loving this feature! I do believe that the weather is going to mean that wellies become a summer staple, not just a summer festival staple:(
Welly4u are great. They deliver quick smart too!
May 19, 2009 at 8:35 pm
A great feature to come across with all this rain!!!
I logged on to WELLY4U to see the wellingtons and I bought from them.
Probably will get plenty of use for them.
I got the Classic Green Hunter, the cowboy Straw Hat and a pair of Neon over the knee socks………. Should look good with denim mini at the Electric Picnic.
November 3, 2009 at 11:15 am
Hi Guys,
I found a really cool new Irish site for wellies simply called http://www.wellies.ie, really large range of funky and stylish wellies. A must visit site for all welly dressed women.
Enjoy,
Mary
September 2, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Hi,
Another great place for wellingtons is TK Maxx. I got my pair of green Hunters in there for half the price I was originally prepared to pay!!
September 6, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Fab deal Donna. I’d never thought of there for wellies
July 6, 2012 at 4:09 pm
I’m buying a pair of Hunters at the weekend, I was at the Stone Roses last weekend in Manchester in my trusty Dunnes Stores wellies. We decided to walk the 3 miles home… not a good idea! My clever sister had Hunters on her and her feet where fine, mine however where and still are not not right