photo: Erin Rackelman
It all began with Lola. She wears a pair of tall, navy rainboots with everything- vintage dresses, summer a-lines and wool plaid miniskirts, and even a pair of slim-fit dark denim overalls. Anyone who knows me, is aware I have a similar fixation with vintage Frye boots. I wear them every single day, with everything. Part of me blames it on my size 11 feet, which doesn’t allow me much access to women’s shoes, but the other part of me is pragmatic and Fryes have proved impressive. They don’t seem to wear out, age beautifully, and most importantly they are comfortable; I can trek miles in them. Watching Lola flawlessly pair her galoshes, in so many ways, day in and day out, has completely peaked my interest- perhaps there is another unisex boot for me, and more importantly one that is bike-friendly and rain-proof.
So I have been considering this purchase. To my surprise, when I arrived in NY earlier this month, I noticed nearly everyone around me was wearing wellies, and the styles were really diverse. Short booties, geometric patterns, polka dots, Ed Hardy style motifs (yuck!), cute animals- you name it, I saw a gal stomping around in it. It’s a bit puzzling, if rainboots are so common in New York, why aren’t they in Portland? It seems like the shoe that should be the signature piece for the model Portlander’s wardrobe- one can hike, bike, yet look stylish, but in that Pacific Northwestern, casual way. I noticed an overwhelming amount of New Yorkers who pulled it off marvelously, like a young 20-something dressed solely in black in yellow wellies paired with a bright patent leather yellow carryall, and some older, elegant women wearing solid colors tightly, equestrian style over skinny jeans. It’s a mystery- why they aren’t more common here? Perhaps it’s the amount of rain. Anyone who does hail from the East Coast can tell you that while in Portland it mists, in New York it pours, and floods often. When I was there last September the sky opened up and filled my beloved Fryes nearly half full, with another mile ahead of me to make it home.
After the rampant examples in NY, with additional support in London, I’m convinced to broaden my horizons beyond Fryes and have shortlisted either a bright red and more practical, black pair of wellies to enter my closet soon. If you are interested in joining me, and bringing a little British country-side into the mix, get some inspiration from:
www.wellieart.co.uk
http://www.wellie-boots.com/usmofcart/mainstore.html
jcrew.com
–Erin Rackelman
WHAT TO DO NOW?