Adult patterned wellies-are they here to stay?

Traditionally manufactured in green and brown, wellies for women are now available in all kinds of colours and designs.From pin-stripes and funky swirls to pretty flowers and polka dots, ladies wellies are available in all of these stylesand more, previously reserved for children.The history of the wellington boot has been just as colourful. From its humble beginnings as a man's high cut tasseled boot (called the Hessian boot) in the eighteenth century, the wellington boot was given its first makeover by The Duke of Wellington in the early nineteenth century. The Duke had the boots made with calf leather and changed the design to have them fit better and closer around the calves. The resulting new design was both comfortable and practical and became very popular among the gentlemen of the time. This boot became known as the wellington boot.The second "wellie makeover" happened in America later on that century. Hiram Hutchinson found Mr Goodyear ( of the tyres)and decidied to make footwear from rubber. The news of watertight and economical footwear for farmers spread fast and is still very popular today.Lady Diana was the last key figure to popularize wellies before patterned wellies arrived...Patterned wellies for women became popular in 2002 in Britain and received the first media attention at the Glastonbury Festival where they were worn by revellers in the mud. Since then, many new companies have emerged and expanded so that today there are a huge variety of styles and designs to choose from.Fashion designers like Pucci, Ralph Lauren and DKNY put wellies on the catwalk and so the revolution began.So, still going strong in 2006. Are ladies patterned wellies here to stay?From this muddy field, the answer looks like yes. Why would people go back to wearing boring green or brown when presented with so much colourful choice?Patterned wellies was a niche in the market that has now been filled. They simply weren't available before now, and I can only see room for improvement. We are already seeing variations on the design such aszips, laces, high heels, sporty soles and fur linings.Wellies are worn by practically everyone in Britain at some time in their lives. It is compulsory for most children toown and bring their own wellies to school and pre-school. They are worn by gardeners, dog walkers, festival goers and thanksto year-round wet weather in the British Isles they will always be needed.The creation of patterned and colourful wellies is yet another example of how giving a practical product that everyone already owns a colourful makeover, you can create a whole new set of customers that will be back for more. Take saucepans for example. Some clever people in the sixties decided their saucepan sales needed a boost ( How many saucepans does one need?) and brought out a pink range with sales going through the roof. This very simple formula and a bit of imagination can be applied to all necessary, practical products that have a long life to drum up new sales. And this has certainly worked in the wellie world!Ultimately, wellies are a traditional and practical part of British life and it looks as if patterned wellies for adultsare here to stay.

Comments? Questions? Email Here

© HowtoAdvice.com

How to Advice .com