HOT TAKE: HUNTER BOOTS BACK

Welcome Back Hunter, It's Been Awhile

Aug 20, 2024

Hot Take (n): a quickly produced, strongly worded, and often deliberately provocative or sensational opinion or reaction.

My name is Alexia Ioannou and I approve of this message.

*The Duke of Wellington’s Hessian Boots via Fashion History Timeline*

The year is 1914. The place is Edinburgh, Scotland. The world is at war. People are fighting for their lives. And they need durable shoes.

Introducing, Norris & Co (commonly known today as, Hunter). The army called upon the company to mass produce their standard Wellington boot. The boots namesake being Duke Wellington, one of Britain’s leading military and political figures in the 1800’s. With origins dating back to the late 1700’s, they were developed from designs worn by pioneers and durable in nature. They would eventually be reimagined with thick natural vulcanized rubber to meet the needs of the army, think irrational climates and flooded trenches.

The company would go on to produce millions of boots for soldiers and later develop the “Original Hunter” in 1957, which is the wildly popular style we all recognize today. The pipeline of practically-made goods that develop into coveted fashion pieces is an uncommon one. What gives a product long-lasting function and a visual appeal that can live on for centuries? Do you think the majority of footwear brands/trends developed today could withstand more than 160 years of fashion cycling? (Imagine people wearing Balenciaga trainers in 100 years...) I find myself fascinated by the brands that can stand the test of time… think Birkenstock, Frye and Dr. Martens to name a few.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana ahead of their wedding in 1981

Soooooo… how did military wear evolve to Kate Moss at Glastonbury, royal attire and other iconic pop-culture moments? My personal favorite being Pamela Anderson wearing them on her wedding day and the same pair most recently on the cover of Better Homes & Gardens (I want her life).

I’d say it’s a perfect marriage of form, function, and accessibility. Straddling you just below the knee, holding you in with its adjustable calf buckle. Ricocheting any outside substance with its rubber shield, lined with warm polyester to seamlessly glide on and off the foot. Signing off with it’s iconic Hunter stamp on the shaft of the boot, to let others know - this isn’t just any rubber boot.

Kate Hudson in 2005 at Glastonbury, Pamela Anderson in 2021 at her wedding , Angelina Jolie in 2005’s Mr. & Mr.s Smith

Over the years the classic Hunter Wellington boot has been delicately reimagined to meet modern fashion demands. Offered now in a rainbow of colors, lengths and new silhouettes (I’m tripping because these literally look like the highly coveted The Row zipper boots). I think the best fashion statements are made when you really just don’t give a damn about how it looks, but more about how it feels. Not only how it feels on the body, but how it makes you feel when you’re wearing it. Allowing you to flow into a natural state of being and not overthink the process of getting dressed. Hunter boots make me feel like I’m somehow doing the most, while also doing the least. Like I’m down to get dirty, but also still want to stay clean.

It’s been a minute since we’ve seen the Hunter boot heavily in the fashion rotation, but my spidey sense for what’s making a comeback (thanks to a strong micro-dose blend), is predicting them to be this falls “it” shoe. Just like anything else in my closet, I’m purchasing these on the secondhand market because they’re half the price and easily found in great condition. I’m on the shorter side (5’3), so I find it difficult to pull off knee-high styles unless they’ve got a killer heel to give me some inches. I’m opting in for the shorter Hunter styles pictured above. Lowbrow highbrow alway seems to work in everyday dressing. We see it here when pairing a flowy vintage silk Cavalli set with an unexpected loud and strong boot.

As for sizing, I recommend sizing down. I’m typically a true 7.5 and opted for the size 7.