It used to be that rain boots fell squarely in the category of "functional fashion." No longer. These days we don't have to choose between suffering wet socks and looking like a playground-bound tot in vulcanized yellow rubber. That's because in recent years several designers have given rain boots a real fashion-forward makeover. At the top of our minds: Phoebe Philo during her tenure at Celine, Demna Gvasalia at Balenciaga and Daniel Lee, first for Bottega Veneta, then Burberry. Some of the silhouettes are so fun to wear, you'll often see them on the feet of the street style set even when there's not a single puddle in sight.
That said, rainy days — of which there are bound to be many ahead — are when this new class of galoshes truly shines. Whether paired with miniskirts, slouchy cargo pants or water-resistant coated denim, they're all sure to make a statement. All you need to do is settle on a height and a vibe. Do you gravitate toward minimalist, super-Scandinavian lace-up styles? Check out Ilse Jacobsen. How about punky embellishments? Noir Kei Ninomiya, JW Anderson and Jeffrey Campbell. Bright colors? Hunter, Acne Studios and Thom Browne. Mixed materials? Chloe, Diemme and Stella McCartney. Phoebe-era Celine dupes? Ambush. Hyper-exaggerated proportions? Why Bottega Veneta, of course.
Suffice it to say the options are truly endless. To make things easier, we've rounded up our favorite fashion rain boots below. May your toes be dry and your April shower outfits fresh.
La Canadienne Puddle Rain Boots in Cream, $87.50 at Saks
Adidas by Stella McCartney COLD.RDY Shell and Rubber Boots, $172 at Matches Fashion
Chloe Betty Shearling-Lined Rubber Boots, $750 at Saks
Barbour Wilton Boots in Light Trench, $95 at Free People
Jeffrey Campbell Make It Moto Rain Boots, $100 at Free People
Ilse Jacobsen Rub Boot in Army, $215 at Nordstrom
JW Anderson Chain Mid Calf Boots, $264.99 at Saks Off Fifth
Diemme Panelled Ankle-Length Boots, $420 at Farfetch
Off-White Rubber and Jersey Ankle Boots, $535 at Net-a-Porter
Moncler Misty Rain Boots in Beige, $495 at Bloomingdale's
UGG Tasman X Lace in Mustard Seed, $69.99 at UGG
Hunter Wellies in Vital Burgundy, $185 at Free People
Burberry Black Vintage Check Boots, $520 at SSENSE
Maison Margiela Tabi Rain Boots, $965 at Farfetch
Acne Studios Rubber Ankle Boots in Pale Pink, $560 at Acne Studios
Stutterheim Patrol Duck Boots in Leaf Suede, $330 at Free People
Thom Browne Round Toe Boots, $210 at Farfetch
Ambush Panelled Ankle Boots, $525 at Farfetch
Coperni Rubber Bridge Boot in Black, $540 at Coperni
Bottega Veneta Puddle Ankle Boot in Fondant, $820 at Bottega Veneta
L.L.Bean Rugged Wellie Chelsea Boots in Moonlight Blue/Classic Navy, $99 at L.L.Bean
Ganni Recycled Rubber Country Boot, $129.99 at Rue La La
Noir Kei Ninomiya Rubber Flower-Cuff Ankle Boots, $210 at Bergdorf Goodman
Sorel Lennox Hiker STKD Waterproof in Tawny Buff/Gum 2, $120 at Zappos
