A creation of sheer practicality, the gumboot was originally devised for Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington, as the ideal shoe for frollicking in the fields while hunting. Nowadays, notable gumboot wearers are no longer limited to the aristocratic, but range from the cute and cuddly Paddington Bear to the less-so Kate Moss.

Gumboots are the perfect antidote to streets awash with water (especially while the rain is pouring down in the city), as well as festivals where you find yourself knee-deep in mud. With Splendour in the Grass just around the bend, it may be the right time to invest in a pair of these humble rubber numbers. Hunter is the brand beloved by celebrities and farmers alike, thanks to the shoe’s height and durability – you can pick up a pair of these at Jean Brown in Emporium or online at Topshop. If you’re not bothered about a brand name, there are also plenty of good designs to choose from at your local Target.