Although winter weather has begun to rear its ugly head, we are only four weeks post what meteorological experts refer to as the North American autumnal equinox. That means that we are now fully entrenched in the fall season and as a result, can still expect a fair amount of rain to transform what had been balmy, summer days only 3 months ago into wet, gloomy ones with no discernible end in sight. This is where the rain boot comes in as the desire to be stylish can influence even the most practical woman’s fall fashion wardrobe choices.
When most of us think of style, we envision high-end suits, designer heels and on-trend accessories. However, rain boots are often completely overlooked despite the fact that they lend a distinct dose of style to an outfit. For some, quintessential rainy weather footwear can serve as the ultimate statement piece that somehow manages to juxtapose cutesy street style with unadorned professionalism. It’s the reason we often see women hurriedly walking across rain-slicked roads on the way to work wearing a well-cut, business suit, a pure leather embossed attaché case, understated yet sophisticated jewelry and bright pink and fuchsia polka-dot rain boots.
Rain boots are fall fashion essentials.
But it would be disingenuous to assume that all rain boots are equal in the world of seasonal footwear, especially from the standpoint of the individual wearing them. Like with most footwear, labels matter as much as the actual style, color and overall look of the boot. Conversely, most rain boot wearers can be put into several different categories. There are those who prefer boots that have somewhat whimsical patterning on them that reminds them of their childhood. Then there are rain boot fans that prefer styles in basic colors that are sturdy and will simply keep the water out and their socks dry. Lastly, there are the fashion-forward wearers who prefer to buy the Rolls Royces of rain boots. They don’t want whimsical or practical, they want brand name styles such as Michael Kors, Chanel and Burberry with their easily-identifiable patterning and affixed logos. For them, a lot of it has to do with status and there’s really nothing wrong with that. Many of us use our style choices to express what we like, how we want to look and who we are as individuals. Therefore wearing a particular pair of rain boots, regardless of how high or low end they may be, is as good a way as any to do just that.
