Soldiers spend most of their time outdoors, and it is not surprising therefore, they want to wear things that will keep them warm and comfortable. This applies not only to what they wear on their body, but also on their feet. In the past, battlefields were often soaked in blood and sweat, and as a result, soldiers needed a pair of shoes which would help them grip the ground and keep their feet warm and dry.
Arthur Wellesley (1769-1852), the first Duke of Wellington, realized the importance of wearing comfortable shoes both on and off the battlefield, and set about the task of creating a trendy pair. He asked his shoemaker in London to make a pair out of calfskin leather that would fit snugly around the leg.
Unlike the boots of the time, Wellington’s stopped at mid-calf and didn’t go all the way up to the knees. His boots became a rage not only among the soldiers, but also among the common people who took great delight in aping the great war hero – the Duke was the man who defeated Napoleon in the Battle of Waterloo. The boots were affectionately dubbed… no, not Duke, but Wellington.
The Wellington boots are popular even today; you might know them by a different name: gumboots, rain boots, top boots, rubber boots, etc. They are not worn by soldiers, but by people who work in wet surroundings. As a result, they are no longer made of leather, but of rubber or some polymer which will keep the wearer’s feet dry.
Image Source:
Banner: https://images.app.goo.gl/vAyS4avqoFCZc2uX6
Duke: https://images.app.goo.gl/SR9YV1w6kih2FJcL6
Boots: https://edanafashion.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/317.jpg
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