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London’s Calling It: These Weatherproof Boots Are Primed to Make a Huge Comeback Come Fall
By Stephanie Meraz,
2024-08-22
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When fall comes around, give me knee-high boots and a another start-to-finish watch of Gilmore Girls , and I’m one happy girl. As I prepare to embark on a journey across the pond for my “Stephanie in London” moment, I’ve been eagerly immersing myself in London's fashion and haircut trends . So, when I came across an email about the craze for what I assume are a London essential—the classic Hunter rain boot —I couldn’t help but wonder how this trend will play out in the States for 2024. While London may have embraced the style first, I predict that the practical and iconic boots will become a must-have boot here for fall. Read on to see four ways I’d style the British footwear.
Wait a Minute...Are Hunter Boots Still on Trend?
Between the metallic boots that New Yorkers embraced last winter and the resurgence of western cowboy boots , Britain’s beloved Hunter Wellington boots (or Wellies) have fallen out of favor in recent years. According to The New York Times , the company struggled through a post-pandemic reality with declining demand. However, as someone who appreciates a good comeback story and rebrand—looking at you, Abercrombie & Fitch and Gap—I have high hopes for Hunter boots. After all, the shoe—known for its next-to-none insulation, warmth and waterproof design—has been a royal favorite for Princess Diana , Meghan Markle and the late Queen Elizabeth II . Then I saw Twisters actress Daisy Edgar Jones sporting the practical boots at the 2024 Glastonbury Festival—just as Kate Moss and Alexa Chung had before her—and I could sense that the rain boot's revival was on the horizon. To get ahead of the trend, I’ve put together four stylish ways to wear Hunter boots for fall, whether you choose the tall or Chelsea version.
1. Style Hunter Boots with a Denim Skirt and Pretty Blouse
Daniel Zuchnik / Getty Images
I don’t know who needs to hear this, but just because you’re wearing rain boots doesn’t mean you have to stick to leggings and a raincoat. Come fall, there will be plenty of rainy days, but don’t let that rain on your parade (literally). Good news: You can still dress cute and grab drinks with the girls or go on a dinner date while it’s pouring. Try pairing some tall Hunter boots with a maxi denim skirt and an off-the shoulder blouse for a casual yet elevated combination. Most importantly, it’s practical, so you can stomp through puddles if needed.
One of the many style tips I learned while researching Kate Moss’s best Hunter Wellies looks is that you should never underestimate how stylish a pair of the tall rain boots can look with a pair of short shorts. While I wouldn’t go for the uber-casual daisy dukes route, I do think a loose, trouser or sweatshort style, like the one pictured above, can make for an unexpected leggy look. Incorporate a chunky long-sleeve sweater to balance out the micro shorts, and feel free to make it a turtleneck while you’re at it for extra warmth. Bonus points if you use complementary colors throughout for a cohesive look.
It’s no secret Londoners like to sport their Hunter Wellingtons at festivals, but the image above demonstrates how you can make the rain boots work for the office. The key here is to use layers that incorporate your button-up shirt, blazer and long coat for a well-rounded look that’s corporate-approved. Hot tip: Make sure the hem of your long duster coat grazes the top of your Hunter boots for a chic balance that’s intentional and stylish. For the pants, you’ll want to wear a—brace yourselves, Gen Z—skinny silhouette that can be seamlessly tucked into your boots. If you can’t bring yourself to buy a pair of skinny-leg trousers, try wearing leggings, just make sure your blazer or shirt is long enough for the office.
Shop the Look
Nordstrom
Lauren Ralph Lauren Hooded Longline Quilted Jacket
While I love a knee-high rain boot just as much as the next girl, nothing will ever touch a classic Chelsea boot. Easygoing and easy to wear, the ankle boots are a staple in any capsule wardrobe. The next time you throw together a weekend-ready outfit, start with the two classics: Hunter Chelsea boots and ankle jeans. Ankle jeans won’t overwhelm and cover the boot like a wide-leg silhouette would, so you can rock that recognizable Hunter branding. Finish the look with an oversize, voluminous jacket and a dad cap for the perfect errands outfit.
PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.
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