Would you spend thousands of pounds on a pair of wellington boots?
2020 is the year that haute casual has come into its own. Long work-from-home weeks are best complemented by cashmere Loro Piana tracksuits (count at least £3,000 for a matching set) and the stilettos that routinely come out for party season have been swapped for park-ready trainers, stomper boots and - yes - wellies.
The heretofore humble wellington boot has been reinvented by luxury fashion houses from Chanel to Bottega Veneta, and is flying off the virtual shelves with price tags to match their handbags.
"Practicality and functionality were two buzzwords after the autumn/winter 2020 shows, so it’s no surprise that we've seen significant interest in our boots category," says Libby Page, Senior Market Editor at Net-a-Porter. "Luxury brands are dominating the market with this sturdy footwear staple. Staycations, walking holidays and camping were all popular summer vacations and for the fashion forward individual wellington boots are the perfect finish to any outdoor outfit."
The high fashion wellington boot is different from the country set’s Le Chameau; functional, simple and rainproof it may be, but rather than being destined for muck, these rubber creations are made to compliment silk slips from The Row, Chanel twinsets and flowing Max Mara coats. Imagine drizzly days on the cobbles of Saint-Germain rather than stag spotting at Balmoral.
"Wellies in the City are more logical than expected and can be a practical choice during the winter months," says Cassie Smart, head of womenswear buying at Matches Fashion. "Our wardrobe choices are changing to reflect the style in the city becoming more relaxed. This style of boot is practical and functional when facing the colder elements as well as being incredibly versatile in terms of styling. Ganni’s elevated take on the classic wellington-boot silhouette was an instant hit that completely sold out (with a restock on the way)."
This morning, the latest pair of luxury wellies was released - a collaboration between Saint Laurent and Hunter. Dreamed up by the French maison’s Creative Director Anthony Vaccarello, the limited edition design is crafted in black rubber with silver studs and straps and is available at the brand’s Rive Droite stores for £475.
These join the ranks of Chanel’s Caoutchouc boots, which retail at £1,609. Spotted last month on model Irina Shayk, who paired them with silky separates from Orseund Iris and a Burberry Westminster trench, these most expensive rubber wellies honour Chanel’s classic house codes, available in black and cream colourways.
Bottega Veneta’s £465 ‘puddle’ ankle boot (Matches Fashion) is a biodegradable rubber hybrid wellington/Chelsea boot, with a chunky sole to take its wearer from flagstone to grass with ease. Prada’s £1,030 Monolith boot is a shearling-lined leather stomper with a rubber shell and thick rubber sole covering - cosy, chic and practical.
Meanwhile, influencer Pernille Steinbeck has collaborated with Florence-based footwear company Gia Couture on a £532 pair of knee-high wellington boots. The white version, which is now sold out, was recently pictured on an otherwise Chanel-clad fellow influencer Chiara Ferragni - and they are still available in camel through Farfetch.
Outdoor specialist Moncler has covered its leather lace-up C boots with a block-heeled rubber outsole (£665; moncler.com); Jimmy Choo’s iteration is a welted TPU set featuring the golden JC emblem (£325; jimmychoo.com); and Chloé’s PVC Betty wellington boot is smartly fitted with an internal zip, a thick sole and a block heel (£370; net-a-porter.com).
As Gucci can attest after the controversial release of its £146 pre-ripped tights, not everybody is onboard with the increasingly blurred lines between high fashion and basic necessities. But Smart has seen Matches Fashion clients pivot quickly to purchase luxurious iterations of the most simple of items. "Our customers are making more conscious and considered purchases by investing in forever pieces which will last the test of time," says Smart. "Staple styles which offer both quality and longevity like the perfect white t-shirt or cashmere sweater form the foundation of a well curated wardrobe."
All considered, if the Covid-cautious super rich are relegated to the private gardens of Kensington and Manhattan to catch-up during these rainy months, then wipe-clean haute wellies surely make sense. Where will you be buying yours?
Luxury wellington boots
Black rubber boots, £475, Saint Laurent x Hunter
Gia Couture Perni knee boots, £532, Farfetch
Bottega Veneta biodegradable-rubber ankle boots, £465, Matches Fashion
Monolith leather and rubber boots, £1,030, Prada
Leather and rubber C Boots, £665, Moncler
Waterproof rain boots, £325, Jimmy Choo
Chloé rain boot in PVC, £370, Net-a-Porter
Read more:
Can record-breaking designer handbags save the luxury fashion industry?
The most remarkable independent luxury fashion and concept stores for Christmas shopping
Sign up for the Telegraph Luxury newsletter for your weekly dose of exquisite taste and expert opinion.
To tackle the great (dark and gloomy) outdoors, read our tried and tested guide to the best wellington boots, best head torches, best men's walking boots, best walking boots for women, best umbrellas and best men's waterproof jackets.