The utilitarian and the stylish usually don’t see eye to eye. For example, the puffier the coat, the warmer you will be. And although a down-filled coat may not look as sleek as a Chesterfield, it does what it is supposed to do, and it does it well. The fashion quotient is an afterthought–if at all.
Figuring out how we can brave the elements without looking like construction workers is a dilemma we face each day we open our closets during this moody time of year. April’s daily downpours have us eschewing our favorite stilettos for something close-toed and better-suited for puddle jumping.
This season, we’re happy to report, rain boots seek to combine both style and substance. With designs that look more like elegant riding boots than the hideous, rubbery footwear that we’ve come to expect, brands like Steve Madden, Chooka and däv offer a remedy to the aforementioned sartorial woe. Whether it is a form-fitting shape or the added detail of a buckle, these rain boots are chic enough for the office and will have you second-guessing the Manolo Blahnik pumps you have under your desk.