Black tie and wellies are an unconventional pairing, but one enforced by the infamous Welly Ball. Ultimately, an ingenious scheme to convince students to pay up for a cause and don their ‘country’ sides in honour of the Charlie Waller foundation.
It begs the question of which wellies are the best investment for a St Andrews student? Short or tall? Designer or supermarket? A pop of colour or a toning match to your tie? Fortunately, I have worn enough wellies in my rural upbringing to recommend the warmest and driest of wellies, but also the most (arguably) tasteful.
Wellies have long been popular outside of their ‘prescribed’ habitat of marshy farmland and have been frequently seen on models since the early 2000s. This is still seen at festivals all around the UK but, whether wittingly or not, festival-goers are taking inspiration from supermodel Kate Moss’ Glastonbury outfits of the noughties, where her Hunter Boots were both practical mud-protection and a rugged counterbalance to her dainty mini dresses.
Credit: Hunter Boots.
‘Hunters’ are the more recent trending brand, being cheaper and the slimmest fitting of mainstream wellies, but have a much longer rural history. Hunter Boots are some of the oldest British-made rain boots, originating not so far from St Andrews, as long ago as 1856, and are the most iconoclastic image of ‘Wellington Boots’, the true originals.
However, they are outsold by numerous (arguably more practical) brands like Barbour, Le Chameau, and notably equestrian brands like Ariat or DuBarry’s Dublin River boots. Wellies are a no less competitive sector of the fashion economy than the divide between Miu Miu and Prada. This is divisive even among students and the focus at Welly is not on the dresses or suits, like other balls, but on which grouping of wellies you have pledged your allegiance to.
For strictly fashion-inspired wear, the Hunter play boots may be your best bet: easy and comfortable, and available in a myriad of colours and finishes. The baby pinks and blues Hunter displays, do well both at falling in line with your cohesive vision for Welly Ball, but also can soften an all-black rain shell-suit on your way to a dismal-looking 9am.
For sheer practicality, an Ariat or DuBarry insulated boot are not at all
amiss in the brief of Welly Ball’s dress code; leaning into the rustic camo-adjacent khakis and browns of functionally intended wellies is just an alternative to complementing your pre-existing wardrobe. In the mode of Kate Moss, the contrast between sparkle and mud-flecked rubber is something to be pursued, rather than avoided. Boots are easily accessorised with spare ribbons or even can be sourced as eccentric enough themselves: polka-dots, flashes of red or complete with a glittering sheen.
Depending on the type of investment you make, boots bought for Welly Ball can be useful while living in St Andrews; battling the wetter days on the East Fife coast or venturing outside of the bubble with a pair of thick rubber soled boots. These boots, whether you make an aesthetic or warmth-based choice, may become a staple in your St Andrews wardrobe, no matter how much of a city person you once knew yourself to be.
Comments