I dare say that the idea of wellies has not brought excitement to many of you...not yet anyway.:0) But I'm out on a mission to educate the world about the wonderful life of wellies. Where they began, where they are now, and the weird and wonderful things that people do with their wellies. You could be surprised what you just never knew about the good old welly boot.
So, sit back, relax and prepare to come on the welly wisdom trail with me. It could be more fun than you ever imagined.
SO WHAT EXACTLY ARE WELLIES?
Wellies are also known by many other names.
In Australia, South Africa and New Zealand they are known as Gumboots
In Ireland they are often referred to as Topboots
In Russia they are known as Rubberboots.
WHERE DID THE IDEA FOR WELLIES COME FROM?
Wellies were first worn by Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, and were based upon the Hessian boot. The Duke of Wellington had instructed his shoemaker to re-design the Hessian boot to make it more hard wearing and give extra comfort. This was the birth of the good old welly as we know it, before long everyone referred to the Duke's new boots as 'the Wellington.'
The Duke of Wellington's style caught on quickly and many other British gentlemen copied the style. The Wellington was considered very fashionable during the 1840's but at this stage was only made in leather.
WHEN WELLIES MET RUBBER.
In 1852 two gentlemen by the names of Hiram Hutchinson and Charles Goodyear came together. Charles Goodyear had recently developed a process to cure rubber, called Vulcanization, and both individuals benefited from this new process.
Charles Goodyear took his research into the tyre manufacturing market, whilst Hiram Hutchinson went into footwear.
Hutchinson launched his footwear idea in France with a company called Aigle (meaning Eagle) His rubber footwear became a huge success here, with farmers very grateful to have their feet clean and dry for once. It sure beat the clogs they had been wearing!
Rubber comes from the sap of the Havea Tree and is actually a natural product, contrary to the beliefs of many.
WELLY OLYMPICS?
And you thought wellies were just for wearing on your feet?! Not true.
In the UK there is a sport called Welly Wanging. Welly Wanging originated in Yorkshire and each year a championship Welly Wanging competition is held where competitors have to throw a welly as far as they can within the boundaries. They can do this from a standing or running start.
The UK is not the only one's who partake in this sport either. Competitions are also regularly held in New Zealand and Finland.
And then we have the welly boot dance, which is rumoured to have been performed by African Miners in order to keep their spirits up whilst working in poor conditions.
WELLY MUSIC.
Yes, a few musicians have even wrote about wellies, and none sticks in my mind more than Billy Connolly who wrote the great little ditty 'If it wasnae for yer wellies'
FESTIVAL FASHION EMERGENCY
At last year's Glastonbury festival a welly emergency was declared when suppliers of wellies and local shops experienced great demand for the welly boot. However, Oxfam seized the opportunity by bringing a supply of 1000 pairs to help out those in need.
THE DARK SIDE OF WELLIES
Did you know that there is such a thing as welly fetishism? Welly fetishism comes from those who have a fetishism for things made from rubber and/or PVC. The attraction is sometimes to the garments themselves that are made of these fabrics and sometimes to the person wearing these garments.
Those with a rubber fetish are turned on by the fabric for different reasons. Whilst some like the tight rubber suits because they act as a 'second skin' or a form of bondage, others simply enjoy the smell of rubber, and this is enough to light their fire.
There is a support group for those suffering from rubber fetishism called The International Association of Rubberists
WONDERFUL FACT - WHO IS THE BIGGEST MANUFACTURER OF RUBBER BOOTS.....YOU'LL NEVER GUESS!
None other than Nokia, the mobile phone giant. Nokia recently sold it's footwear division, stating it was the biggest rubber boot manufacturer in Western Europe
WELLIES TODAY.
Today wellies have become a very popular footwear choice for many. Designers have brought out the best in the good old welly boot and it is hard to walk down a high street these days without seeing many colourful displays of wellies for men, ladies and children.
Celebrities have also caught on to the rising fashion with the likes of Kate Moss, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Kimberley Stewart, Katherine Jenkins and even Dame Shirley Bassey getting in on the act of welly boot fashion. However, Dame Shirley Bassey was the one to really top the bill with her diamanté encrusted wellies which were rumoured to have cost a startling £3000.
With Music Festivals like Glastonbury and the V Festival becoming more popular, the trend in wellies looks set to continue. New welly designs are much sought after, bringing the good old Wellington Boot firmly back into fashion. Just like the good old days of the old Duke.
