How to Wear Wellies

Wellies, more formally known as Wellington boots, are a type of rain boot originally designed for the 1st Duke of Wellington in the early 19th century. These sturdy rubber boots are still a practical and surprisingly fashionable addition to any shoe closet. To wear wellies, first choose a pair that fits your size and style needs. To create a stylish and put-together look, coordinate your wellies with the rest of your outfit. Wellies aren’t the ideal footwear for every occasion, so it’s important to decide when and where to wear them, too.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Choosing Your Wellies

1
Pick classic black or dark green wellies for a practical look. Traditionally, wellies have been designed with dark, neutral colors, such as black, brown, navy, or very dark green.^{[1]XResearch source} These smart, versatile colors go well with a wide variety of outfits.
- The classic muted and neutral colors are a great option if you want to pair your wellies with a formal or business casual look (for example, if you need to walk to work in the rain).^{[2]XResearch source}
2
Opt for bolder colors if you want to make a fun fashion statement. If you enjoy more fun and colorful footwear, there are also lots of brightly colored and patterned wellies available.^{[3]XResearch source} For example, you might add a flash of color to your look with a pair of bright yellow wellies, or jazz up your outfit with a floral print or polka-dot pair.
- If you’re looking for wellies for a kid, there are tons of fun options, including the classic frog wellies!
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3
Choose a pair that fits your calf size. Traditional wellies are fairly tall, often reaching a height just below the knees, and they fit closely to the calves. Fortunately, most brands offer a variety of calf sizes, so you should be able to find a pair that fits your legs.^{[4]XResearch source} Measure your calf size (or have a pro do it for you) and look for a wellie with the right shaft circumference.
- To measure your calf circumference, sit in a chair with your knees bent at a 90° angle and your feet flat on the floor. Wrap a soft cloth tape measure around your calf at its widest point and write down the result.
- Your wellies should also fit comfortably around your toes, heels, and the widest part of your foot.
Tip: When trying on wellies, put on the socks that you would normally wear with your boots. If you wear thick socks, for example, you’ll want to get wellies that are big enough to comfortably fit over them.
4
Select tall or short wellies based on your personal preference. Wellies come in a variety of heights, typically ranging from ankle-length to just below the knees. You can even get thigh-high wellies! Choose a height based on what look you want to achieve and what feels most comfortable to you.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Keep in mind that tall wellies can be a pain to lug around, so you might want to opt for a shorter pair if you’re planning to switch out at some point during the day.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Coordinating Your Outfit

1
Wear your wellies with a slim pant leg to create a sleek profile. Wellies look best with slim pants or trousers that create a clean line all the way down your legs.^{[6]XResearch source} Choose slim fit jeans, slacks, or leggings that can fit seamlessly under your boots without bunching up at the top.
- Wearing your pants under your boots will also help keep your hems nice and dry.
Tip: One of the great things about wellies is that they work equally well with both men’s and women’s fashions. Either way, the same “rule” applies—wellies look best with slim fit or straight cut men’s and women’s trousers.
2
Try wearing wellies with a skirt or shorts in warm weather. You don’t have to stick to wearing wellies with full-length pants or trousers. They also pair well with other types of bottoms, like skirts or shorts.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Skirts look great with tall, fitted wellies.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Shorts and wellies are a fashionable combination on rainy summer days.^{[9]XResearch source}
3
Pair wellies with tights or long socks for a fun and fashionable look. Wellies look great over tights, stockings, or fashionable socks.^{[10]XResearch source} In cool weather, try wearing your wellies over a pair of cozy cable-knit stockings or thigh-high socks. When it’s warmer, opt for some thinner knee-highs that just peek out over the tops of your boots.
- When it’s cold out, you can add an extra layer of insulation with a pair of specially designed wellie socks or rain boot socks. These warm socks are made to fold over the tops of your wellies.
4
Choose colors that match or complement your wellies. Neutral wellies will go well with just about any color combination, but you may need to plan a little more carefully if your boots are more colorful. If your wellies are brightly colored or patterned, wear an element of a similar or complementary color somewhere else in your outfit.^{[11]XResearch source}
- For example, you might pair bright red wellies with a grey coat, but balance them out with a red scarf or gloves.
- For a monochrome look, try matching dark blue wellies with a lighter blue skirt and top.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Deciding When to Wear Wellies

1
Opt for wellies when the weather is rainy. Most wellies are completely waterproof as long as they’re in good condition, making them ideal rain boots.^{[12]XResearch source} If you need to walk somewhere in a downpour, grab your trusty pair of wellies!
- Wellies will protect your feet when you’re splashing through puddles, and many also have straps at the top to help keep water from running in from above.
- Keep in mind, however, that classic rubber wellies are not very breathable. In hot or humid weather, your feet might still end up wet if you work up a sweat inside your wellies!
2
Bring wellies for a muddy outdoor adventure. Wellies were originally designed to be worn while tramping around in the wet and muddy countryside. They’re ideal for outdoor work or recreation, especially when it’s damp out.
- For example, you might wear wellies while gardening, fishing, hiking, or going to a music festival.
3
Add a chic vibe to casual outfits with wellies. Wellies were designed to be fashionable as well as practical, so there’s no need to restrict them to utilitarian uses.^{[13]XResearch source} You can also make wellies part of a fun everyday ensemble.
- For example, you might wear wellies while shopping or hanging out downtown with friends.
4
Avoid basic rubber wellies in extremely cold weather. Classic rubber wellies, such as Hunters, won’t keep your feet especially warm. If you’re planning to go out in weather that’s at or below freezing, it’s better to opt for a well-insulated winter boot.
- If you’re really in love with the look of wellies but still want the insulating power of a winter boot, opt for a wellie-style boot that incorporates leather, such as the Dubarry Galway boot.^{[14]XResearch source}
- Le Chameau wellies come with a neoprene lining, which can also provide extra protection against the cold.
While there are no laws against driving in wellies, many drivers report feeling less in control of their vehicles when wearing them. Additionally, driving test simulations with various types of shoes show that wellies can impair your reaction time when you’re trying to put on the brakes.^{[15]XResearch source} Avoid driving long distances or in dangerous conditions while wearing wellies.
Did you know? Sneakers (or trainers) are the safest type of shoes to wear while driving. If you want to wear wellies but need to drive somewhere, keep a pair of sneakers on hand and switch into them when you need to hop in the car.
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Could Wellies look good with a PVC Mac?
HumanBeing
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Wellies would look fantastic with a PVC Mac! Teaming items of clothing made for the same conditions always looks good. Just like sandals with shorts, Wellies and a Mac are great combination for cold, wet conditions. You can't go wrong, but you might prefer to wear complementary colors of boots and Mac, for example, black Wellington boots and a beige Macintosh.
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Do I have to break in wellies like other shoes so that they don't rub? (I have bought Hunters.)
HumanBeing
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If you have the time to break you new Hunters in, it's probably worth wearing them for at least an hour or so at home just to see if you can detect any spots that might rub and soften them up a bit. If your new boots are a good fit, they shouldn't rub, as wellies enclose the whole foot and don't put pressure on any one one part of the foot like a new pair of pointed-toe high heels would! If you don't get a chance to break them in, you can try wearing two pairs of socks to avoid rubbing, one thin pair under the ones you intended to wear with your boots; nylon hosiery is a good option.
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Can I wear wellies on a date with my girlfriend?
HumanBeing
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Absolutely! If your date is on a farm, a country walk, fancy-dress, an outdoor event involving puddles or mud or any other place where Wellington boots are appropriate, you can wear wellies on a date. Wellies are not a good choice for a dinner date at a restaurant with a strict dress code or a very formal event.
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Tips

Classic rubber wellies tend to develop a whitish, powdery “bloom” after a while. You can get rid of this filmy residue and get your boots looking like new again with some rubber boot buffing spray or a little olive oil.^{[16]XResearch source}
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If your shoe size doesn't fit you, you can stretch it out a little by wearing the boots with big socks or a couple of pairs.
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