Image via Complex Original
Bottega Veneta’s Puddle Boots seem to be everywhere since they dropped at its Fall/Winter 2020 runway show last year. And it makes sense. These big bright and chunky rain boots are bold, easy to identify—everyone knows you are wearing Bottega—but have a relatively affordable price point at $650. And they’ve been worn in a variety of ways by celebrities and influencers like Lil Yachty, ASAP Ferg, Justin Bieber, and Bloody Osiris.
It’s a rubber slip-on ankle boot that takes inspiration from classic Chelsea boots (and an old Celine boot, but more on that later), the Puddle Boots are constructed with of biodegradable polymer, which gives it a unique and slick look. The boot is lightweight, waterproof, lined with cotton, and boasts a Nappa leather footbed. Currently available in five colorways, the boot has grown to become a must-have item since its debut last year.
Here’s everything you need to know about Bottega the Veneta Puddle Boots.
Who Designs Them?
While the Italian luxury brand is having a moment right now with its trendy rain boots, Bottega Veneta is much more than that. In case you aren’t familiar, Bottega Veneta was founded in 1966 in Vicenza, Italy by Michele Taddei and Renzo Zengiaro. It started as a leather goods company, but would gradually build its product line over the years. One of its biggest strides would come in 2001 when it was acquired by the Gucci Group. Under the creative direction of Tomas Maeir, it did away with heavy use of logos that was popular throughout the ‘90s in favor of more refined pieces that harkened back to the brands roots and focused on elements like Bottega’s signature Intrecciato Weave pattern.
Bottega Veneta was a go-to for well dressed men and women, but its appointment of 35-year-old British designer Daniel Lee in 2018 has injected the brand with a youthful, cool energy. It shouldn’t come as a surprise either. Lee previously held positions at Balenciaga, Maison Margiela, and worked under the legendary Phoebe Philo at Celine as director of ready-to-wear. His work isn’t going unnoticed by the fashion world either.
One year after his appointment, Lee was awarded with four British Fashion Awards in 2019 for Brand of the Year, Womenswear Designer of the Year, Accessories Designer of the Year, and Designer of the Year. Lee’s recent campaigns and fashion shows further exemplify his impact in constructing the “New Bottega.” The label’s “Salon 02” presentation in Berlin was attended by the likes of Virgil Abloh, Skepta, and Burna Boy. In lieu of quitting social media in January, Bottega Veneta released the first issue of its virtual zine in late March. The 107-page zine notably included rap legend Missy Elliott rocking one of the brand’s off white puffer coats accessorized by a diamond-encrusted “Iconic” pendant, bug-eyed sunglasses, and giant gold hoop earrings.
How Are Celebrities Wearing Them?
Given its recent track record, it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that Bottega Veneta sells one of the current “must-have” items. While your favorite (or least favorite) Instagram influencers keep flooding the timeline with fit pics wearing their new Air Jordan 1s, some of hip-hop’s most stylish participants have opted for Puddle Boots to set off their fits. While safer colorways like “Fondant” (brown) and “Black” of the $650 rain boot are also available, the much more eye-catching “Kiwi” color scheme seems to be a favorite. In his “No More Beatboxing Freestyle” video, Lil Yachty paired his with a matching hoodie, red nylon shorts from Sicko, and white Alpine socks by Kapital. ASAP Ferg opted for a more traditional look, wearing his “Rubber Band” pair with baggy jeans, a white T-shirt, and a lime green raincoat. British producer Kwes Darko paired his Kiwis with a set of Bottega Veneta raw Japanese denim dungarees and a black T-shirt to make sure the footwear was the star of the show when he attended the designer’s Berlin show earlier this month.
How Can You Get Them?
The boots retail for $650 and can be purchased in most sizes and colorways directly from Bottega Veneta’s web store. For anyone hoping to find certain colorways in Bottega Veneta’s flagship, the Miami, New York City, and Beverly Hills BV stores were sold out of the same sizes and colorways that were sold out online. Representatives from the New York City and Miami flagships could not answer when in-demand sizes for these colorways would be restocked, but customers could leave a name and phone number to be notified when they do. One representative from the Beverly Hills flagship suggested to check online for restocks rather than stores.
Should You Buy Them?
If you can afford them, why not. Will they be cool in a year? That’s yet to be determined, but for now it’s a fun boot that speaks to a specific time for Bottega Veneta and if you wear them like the celebrities mentioned in this piece wear them (with a baggy pant a la Ferg and Bieber, or shorts and a good sock a la Yachty) you are good to go. But PLEASE don’t wear them with skinny bottoms (leggings, jeans, etc.) The item that might make more sense to purchase are these statement making oval sunglasses from Bottega, which are $200 cheaper than the Puddle Boots and will probably have a longer shelf life in terms of trendiness and wearability. But that’s just our opinion.