Growing up in the countryside, wellies were one of the least fashionable things in my closet. I have memories from my childhood of my mum requesting me to swap my Clark's school shoes for wellies when splashing around in muddy puddles, which was met with a lot of grumbling. The practical boots used to be just above Crocs on the fashion scale for me, a staple I resolutely avoided. But then, along came Kate Moss wearing a pair of below-the-knee black Hunter Wellington boots at Glastonbury back in 2005, and I was left questioning: when did wearing wellies become cool?
Sporting her (very muddy) wellies, Moss was photographed wearing a black waistcoat top, black belt and grey micro shorts for a look that immediately made me do a sartorial 180. It was a look that proved that yes, wellies can be cool and yes, they can be worn in the summer, too. Over 20 years later, the trend has now gone one step further. We're no longer saving our wellies for Worthy Farm or Sunday walks around Holland Park; instead, they're being worn in the city, with everything from boho mini dresses to denim cut-offs. And for once, we're completely on board.
Naturally, It-girls have been following Moss' lead and turning to chic Hunter Wellington boots even for 2025. Founded in Scotland over 150 years ago, the now-cult brand built its name on making boots tough enough for even the harshest Scottish weather. Over the years, Hunter has moved from fields and farmyards to festivals and even front rows, evolving its designs with the times, but not so far it's become unrecognisable. Today, Hunter wellies are among the most recognisable shoes in the world, characterised by its logo (which often sits front and centre) and buckle strap.
For 2025, the Glastonbury wellie moment has moved on and now belongs to an entirely new cohort. Normal People's Daisy Edgar-Jones wore hers on one day of the festival earlier this year with a striped shirt and denim shorts, and on another with a cream midi dress. Sunday night's Pyramid Stage headliner, Olivia Rodrigo, was also spotted in the fields wearing a pair of black Hunter wellies, teamed with a sleeveless graphic top and leopard mini skirt. Rodrigo might've taken to the stage in a different outfit entirely, but her choice of off-duty footwear is an important one, and proved that even celebrities of the 2010s still know the value of a dependable pair of wellies.
Here's the thing about wellies in the summer: they're far more versatile than their winter reputation suggests. For a start, wearing a pair of Hunters means you don't have to get your toes out on the Northern Line, and it means you're always prepared for an unexpected rainy shower. They're also ideal for navigating muddy parks after a weekend of downpour or protecting a fresh pedicure from Saturday shopping crowds.
If you're planning on using the 2025 logic to style wellies (and that's that the shoes go with anything), then styling a pair of Hunter's is relatively simple. You've probably seen all the cool Scandi girls wearing their Hunter wellies with a crisp white mini dress or floral midi. And, when we start to enter transitional dressing season, layer a trench coat over your sundresses and jeans for warmth.
Hunter wellies are proof that the most enduring trends start in unlikely places: a muddy field, a rainy morning or the great British countryside. You might think summer belongs to the sandal, but this year, the chicest women are only wearing wellies.
Shop: The Best Hunter Wellies
Schuhwww.schuh.co.uk
You can't go wrong with a classic pair of black Hunter wellies, and these are as versatile as they come. Handcrafted and of course, fully waterproof, this women's wellie boot is finished with a matte black look that can be styled with both shorts and mini skirts.
Schuhwww.schuh.co.uk
If you want to recreate Daisy Edgar-Jones' Glastonbury look, opt for a shorter pair of Hunter wellies. Its Original Chelsea style is a good addition, and is finished with classic branding and ankle-hitting height.
Hunter hunterboots.co.uk
One of the newest additions to the Hunter family comes in the form of its Downpour Short Wellington Boot. It features a sleek upper design and a lightweight moulded outsole, as well as a unique tread that's been inspired by shapes found in landscapes.
Hunter www.decathlon.co.uk
Another key colour for Hunter are its classic khaki green shade. This pair feature a rubber upper and sole, as well as a round-toe and slip-resistant design. Finish your outfit with a pair of micro suede shorts and a white t-shirt.
Hunter hunterboots.co.uk
Represent X Hunter's collection is a mixture between the two brands, merging Hunter's iconic legacy with Represent's streetwear aesthetic – think of it as almost like a rubber cowboy boot. Each boot features the Hunter Original tread pattern and rubber Western embellishments.
Hunter hunterboots.co.uk
The Downpour Short Wellington Boots also come in a gorgeous cream shade called gravel. It features the same lightweight moulded outsole, as well as a heritage topbind and unique to Hunter tread. Style with a white mini dress and beige trench coat.
Hunter www.gooutdoors.co.uk
If you're someone who doesn't want to wear wellies in the summer, and prefers a more formal footwear, Hunter also has a pair of waterproof rubber loafers – a genius invention if you ask me. Plus, it's finished with contrast stitching detail and a chunky rubber sole.
Main image credit: Instagram/@anaanaanaanaanaana, @daisyedgarjones, @justina_katarske
Gemma Lavers is a fashion commerce writer at Grazia, where she tracks down viral pieces and is as comfortable navigating the M&S new-in page as she is dissecting the latest celebrity look. When not writing, shopping or at Reformer Pilates (a cliché but she's hooked), Gemma will likely be planning her next holiday (and what she's going to wear). For a glimpse into said travels, outfit inspo and life as a journalist, follow her on Instagram or TikTok.