Rain boots, also known as Wellingtons or “Wellies,” were originally created in the early 19th century in England by modifying tall tasseled Hessian boots. The first rubber Wellingtons were introduced in 1853 and have since impacted boot style worldwide, with a variety of colors and designs now available. They are useful for more than just rainy days, providing protection and warmth in snow, mud, and chemical debris.
Although many of us grew up with a pair of rain boots in our closet for those spring days when puddles needed stomping, many of us are unaware of their rich history. While the many yellow and black pairs that lined our elementary school classrooms might have been frustrating when it was time to head out, we forget there was a time when they just didn’t exist.
Rain boots were originally created less than 200 years ago, in the early 19th century in England. Arthur Wellesley, the 1st Duke of Wellington, wore Hessian boots, which were tall tasseled boots for men, brought to England by the Hessians. The popular duke instructed his favorite shoemaker to modify the boots a bit, removing the fancy trimmings and making them a little tighter; the boots became known as Wellingtons or “Wellies” and became the fashion among well-to-do English men. In 1853, after hearing about the creation of rubber, Hiram Hutchinson introduced the first Wellington rubber boots to farmers in France. The boots were an instant success, saving field workers from coming home every day with wet and muddy feet.
Today, Wellington boots have impacted boot style around the world. Rain boots are now waterproof and made of rubber or other artificial equivalents. GORE-TEX, one of the latest materials used for boots, is completely waterproof.
While Wellingtons are often knee-length, rain boots are also available in a low cut, just above the ankle; or cut high, up to the thigh. Wellington boots were originally made in plain black rubber, but today they are popular in a variety of colors, the most popular being solid green, solid yellow, and black with red or green soles. Multicolored boots and those with designs, patterns or polka dots can now be found in every color of the rainbow.
Although the name implies their use only in inclement weather, rain boots are useful for more than just one rainy day. Snow, mud, and chemical debris require waterproof boots for protection, dryness, and warmth. Many boots are made with inner linings of flannel or other warm materials for use in cold weather. Gone are the lines of yellow and black boots in elementary school classrooms. Today, each child in class can have a completely different look, thanks to the variety of fashion combined with the traditional style.
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