Even if you're not familiar with the term "Hunter Wellies," you're most definitely familiar with the iconic look of this traditional British boot. They're the knee-high, puddle-proof boots that are practically synonymous with the idea of the rainy day. In fact, most of us definitely owned a pair or two as children and quite probably still have some stashed away in our front closet.
However, Hunter Wellies are more than useful footwear staples to have in your closet in case of a rainy day. They come attached to a long, rich history that goes back more than 150 years. Best of all, Hunter Wellies as a fashion must-have are back in a major way. Let's take a closer look at this one-of-a-kind boot, explore where it comes from, and contemplate where it is today.
The Humble Beginnings of the Hunter Brand
Hunter wellies are almost universally recognized as symbols of British tradition, and with good reason. Hunter is a British heritage brand that got its beginnings way back in 1856. Over the course of the last century and a half, they've become well-known as the world's go-to producers of the famous Wellington boot (hence the nickname "Hunter Wellies").
Originally, the Wellington boot was introduced as utility footwear for workers that faced tough conditions over the course of a day on the job. However, they were, and still are, considered musts for those who love nothing more than a brisk off-trail walk through the countryside. Today, they're also the go-to footwear of choice among festival goers, and with good reason. Nothing helps you navigate potentially muddy festival grounds quite like a good pair of Wellies!
Where the Wellington Legacy Began
If you want to trace the entire legacy of the Wellington style boot back to its origins, you'll need to go all the way back to 1817. That's when the Duke of Wellington (for whom the boot is named) expressed a desire for a specific type of boot. He wanted something that he could wear in battle, but that was also suitable for evening wear. In other words, he wanted a footwear option that could really do it all.
In 1856, the North British Rubber Company would set up shop in Edinburgh's Castle Silk Mills buildings. At the time World War II broke out, the company was best known for producing war materials, as they comprised over 80% of production at the time. The first mainstream Wellies would be produced by the company to provide footwear for troops working under flooded conditions in Holland.
However, naturally, such a boot would prove useful to many other types of people as well. Gamekeepers, fishermen, and farmers found them incredibly useful for obvious reasons. So did land agents who needed to be able to easily move around various properties on foot no matter what the weather conditions.
The official Hunter name would enter the picture in 1955 when two new styles of boots were introduced to the market. They were the Green Hunter (which is currently considered to be the original Hunter boot) and the Royal Hunter.
Hunter Wellies Today
So, how and when did a boot with legacy origins in the 19th century and a name dating back to the 50s become a modern fashion must-have? It happened in 2005 when the Hunter brand officially expanded its reach to include countries outside of Britain, especially America.
This same year would mark the 50th birthday of the original Hunter boot. As a result, several appealing new colors were introduced, and fashion trendsetters began to notice them. For instance, Kate Moss wore a pair of Hunter Wellies to Glastonbury in 2005. However, it's worth noting that Wellies can be famously seen on celebrities like Princess Diana as far back in the past as 1981.
Today, Wellies are considered stylish, wear-worthy boots by people from all walks of life and are produced by many companies, including colorful options from UGG. You can see them everywhere, from the music festivals mentioned above, to catwalk shows from the likes of Jimmy Choo, to local pairs of fashionable feet in major American cities. They remain symbols of craftsmanship, streamlined design, and heritage pride.
They also continue to influence an entirely new generation, as well as a multitude of industries. That said, you really ought to consider adding a pair to your own closet. There's no better way to beat the inclement weather that comes around this time of year!
