June 9, 2011

In Defence Of The Gum Boot.

The poor old Wellington boot is getting a harsh rap in fashion circles these days.  I have decided that someone needs to come to the defense of what is one of my favourite types of footwear. (And I am a shoe girl so that's saying something.)

I think the whole issue has started because of the way the gumboot has creeped into urbanwear.  I may be a bit behind the times as I only noticed this last August.  The Farmer and I were in Copenhagen and every second Danish uber babe was rocking a pair of Hunter gumboots.  I must admit I scoffed at first as I thought it was a bit ridiculous.  And then I ruined two pairs of shoes after walking around very wet cobblestoned streets.  If I had been there any longer I would have found myself a pair of cheap gumboots...

Here on The Farm we all have a pair. In rural WA we don't tend to refer to them as Wellies, rather gumboots or even waterboots.  Whatever their name, I am a huge fan.  So much so that I have two pairs.  One for summer and one for winter.  Or light and heavy duty if you like!

The summer pair are Target cheapies.  They are three quarter length and are mainly worn for snake protection when I am in the garden or at the chooks.  They are classics in a monochrome print (because the chooks care about these things...).

Here they are - gumboots worn in summer mode.

Gumboots.

For heavy duty winter wear I have brought out the big guns.  On my English mother-in-law's advice, I took the plunge this winter and bought myself the Hunters.  (She said her last pair lasted 30 years - I like longevity in a work boot.)  Now, given that I have made internet shopping an extreme sport, I would just like to point out that I managed to find a pair online for considerably less than half the retail price in the shops.  We love a bargain here on The Farm.

These boots are the absolute best.  They are super comfy as they have an orthopaedic last.  They are definitely the heavy duty members of the gum boot family.

Look - I take mine off road all the time.

Gumboots - Doing What They Do Best

(Don't tell anyone but I even wear them with skinny jeans and a puffer vest.)

Now I would just like to point out one more feature of gumboots that I have only discovered recently.  They can control the weather.  This year we were desperate for rain.  I decided to get brave and not just think positively but act positively.  Yep - I went shopping.  I bought the whole family new gumboots.  (You can see Farmgirl's here) And you know what?  A few weeks after what I now call The Great Gumboot Buy Up, The Weather Gods smiled and it rained.

So there we go.  The gumboot - what's not to love?

A quick note - no proof for the whole weather thing.  So I have borrowed Elders weather disclaimer.

Long Range Disclaimer

The forecast information contained on the Life In The Country website, while believed to be reasonably made at the time of publication, is subject to change. In particular, 28 day and 12 month rain forecasts, given the range of the forecast, do not contain a guarantee of rain on any day and will contain some degree of inaccuracy. You should always seek updated professional weather advice before taking any action dependent on certain weather conditions prevailing. Liability for any errors or omissions, including that arising as a result of AFW's negligence, (except any statutory liability which cannot be excluded) is excluded by AFW, its associates, officers, directors, employees and agents.

Also - if you want really cute shoes, check out Lovely Jublies Disco Mice. The sparkles are guaranteed to make your day.


17 comments:

Sydney Shop Girl said...

I LOVE the Hunters.

You are styling them well!

SSG

Sydney Shop Girl blog

A Farmer's Wife said...

SSG - I do think they look best accessorised with a muddy puddle.

Pauline said...

I agree with the above. A good gumboot looks best wearing a bit of mud.

Andrea said...

I have myself a pair of super duper knee high steel cap work gumboots. I am seriously thinking of investing in some fashion gumboots though.. It rains a lot here.

Gemma @ My Big Nutshell said...

I think your gumboots are wonderful on many levels, and those raining-dancing properties make them even more special.

I am positively aghast however, at learning that gumboots are not so well received in current fashion circles. And, here I was thinking I was being a bit North Shore in Western Sydney wearing my fabulous Pip Duck wellies!

When I wore them during March when there was lots of rain a few school mums had a little giggle. I told them by winter they will be totally jealous! Here is Winter and yes they are jealous! Who has dry feet now when unloading kids at school on the wet and muddy government strip? And oh, you just can't buy 'these' wellies from KMart. Ha! :)

To top it off today I got a fabulous old style raincoat for the rainy school run, for a whole $8 from Vinnies. Hmmm no doubt they will giggle again, but I am sure I will have the last laugh! No plastic poncho for me!

A Farmer's Wife said...

Thanks everyone - Gemma, I do think she who has dry feet will always get the last laugh.

Bungalowgirl said...

I think fashion gumboots are an awesome concept. Did not realize it was already passe. Frankly, way more sensible than wearing your uggboots out and about. Have seen Hunters on a few blogs- do they only come in green?melx

Emma said...

This post is very timely for me, my old Skipping Girl gumboots have recently sprung a leak after 7 years of service. We get a fair bit of rain in my neck of the woods. Anyway, decided to take the plunge and get myself some Hunter's. Did you buy yours on eBay UK? Love to hear any tips! x

A Farmer's Wife said...

OK - quick low down on the Hunters. Got them at Country Attire which as a UK eBay store with free postage. Cost just over $100 australian. They come in all sorts of colours/finishes. I got the navy ones.

They are at the expensive end of the gumboot market so I am hoping they go for years!!

Flora Budd said...

I got married in 'gum boots'! Well, we did do a small festival style wedding in a field and my friend decorated my green ankle £3 charity shop wellies (english lass me!) as stomping around the field in high shoes wasn't in order!
My sister who lives in Sydney gave me her gorgeous flowery boots she'd bought for Glastonbury, not wanting to fly back with them, so I have two pairs - Ah, boots, love them, you can even get high heeled wellies, saw them on Dragons Den...

Brasilian_Babe said...

YOu don't have to convert me AFW. I love gumboots. I don't wear them here in Sydney, but have 3 pairs spread across 3 different countries, and 2 different continents :p One for each farm in our family

My favourite ones are the ones lined with sheepskin on the inside, I keep those in England at my inlaws because it is freezing everytime we go there!!!!!!!!!!

Emma said...

Thank you! That is the seller I was looking at! Are the sizes standard? Sorry for all the questions and I am very grateful for all your help. Emma x

A Farmer's Wife said...

Emma - no worries at all. The sizes are UK sizes I think. There is a conversion on there somewhere into European sizes, otherwise I just google and find a conversion chart. I am a ladies 9 in Australia and mine were a UK 7 which is equiv to a 40/41.

Cheers and happy shopping.

Emma said...

Thank you! Off to order some now, am going to get a 7 as well! I am leaning towards red gloss! Husband was horrified until I showed him a picture of Angelina Jolie wearing them... shame I won't look as good as she does! x

I'm So Fancy said...

You had me at "Target".....

MultipleMum said...

The kids all love theirs - we do a lot of walking in the rain one way or another. I don't have any though (soooo out of touch with fashion!). I would think a farmgirl like yourself couldn't be without them. Thanks for Rewinding. Enjoy the Hunters x

Life In A Pink Fibro said...

The boys and I have boots. I love the look of mine, but I find them hard to get on and off so I'm going to have to look for something different next year.

Visiting via the Rewind.