The arrival of the rainy season means several things: umbrellas, desires to cuddle, and the less-than-flattering rain gear. It’s time to say goodbye to those tank tops and short-shorts and cover up with bulky raincoats and the dreaded, hefty rain boots.
However, rain boots do not have to be plain, boring, or unappealing. With just a little sense of personal style and knowledge of the right places to shop, you can gear up for the rain, look cute, and keep your feet dry all at the same time.
Zappos.com and Nordstrom offer some of the widest collections of rain boots, with an even wider price range that could accommodate almost anyone’s financial and fashionable needs.
Starting at the sale price of $31.90, you could get this Chooka ‘Peacock City’ Rain Boot from Nordstrom. This pattern upgrades the idea of animal print from the cliché leopard and cheetah to the elegant bird with a beautiful tail. The blue pattern is intricate yet simple enough to go with just about any outfit.
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Moving up the price scale, for $75 you can get the Tammy rain boot from Sporto or the Rossalyn II from LAUREN by Ralph Lauren which comes in several colors and patterns. These boots fuse fashion and affordability together, making your rainy day less dreary and more chic.
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If you’d like to stand out, try these on for size: the Sporto Pam ($70), Dirty Laundry Regalia ($89.99), Coach Pixy ($108), and Rockport Lorraine Chelsea ($110). These boots prove that being waterproof does not have to detract from your style.
If you want to treat yourself to a little splurging, I suggest the Juicy Couture Sarabeth ($168 – and my personal favorite find!), Burberry Check ($225), Hunter ‘Lapins’ ($225), Aquatalia by Marvin K. Ramona ($325 – this one is FIERCE), and UGG Edmonton ($350). Your rainy days will go from gloomy to glamorous in an instant!
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Target is also one of the best go-to places for cute rain boots that aren’t so financially draining. However, their stock of rain boots tends to deplete quickly! So next year, make sure to stop by Target a few months before the rainy season to snatch up one (or several) of their extremely affordable and attractive boots.
Accessorizing your rain boots with liners or leg-warmers will not only add some extra detail to your wardrobe, but keep you extra warm as well. As for the decision between patterns versus plain colors, keep this in mind: boots of simple design and color will go with almost any outfit (I have plain brown rider rain boots, and I have no trouble pairing them with my sweatshirts, peacoat, or leather jacket); however, the more unique your boot’s pattern or design is, the more you stand out! As it always is with style, it’s all about personal preference.
As we endure the mood swings of the weather gods these next few months, I hope you ladies find your perfect pair of rain boots. Stay dry, stay cute, study hard, own those midterms… and don’t forget your umbrella!