About two weeks ago, when the rains showed us Shege every single day, when getting to work was a hassle that required swimming halfway through the journey, I met a lady.
This young lady most probably woke up that day and followed the same old daily routine; shower, dress up into the clothes that were ironed the day before—because morning ‘light’ cannot be trusted—remembered to unplug her fully charged phone from its charger, pack it, and finally slip on those pumps as she stepped out of her cute little apartment, locking the door behind her. Little did she know that this would be the day she would lose her worn pair of shoes!
Meanwhile, it had been raining for most of the morning, so this lady remembered to adorn a raincoat. Her little raincoat-clad self stood by the road, eager to get to work, lest she be late. Mind you, it’s properly raining now, but Ugandan Boda Boda guys are invincible (if only they could get employee of the month certificates). Mr. Invincible stops for her. She hops onto this Boda Boda, highly motivated that she would make it in time. Jaj guys naturally exude that ‘I’ve got this’ energy.
On reaching Banda, this lady and her overzealous Jaj guy encounter an entirely flooded road, and the Boda Boda rider persists. Halfway through the journey, they topple together into the Kampala River, she’s struggling to maintain her balance, he is struggling to maintain his dignity. Her life is flashed before her eyes as the water hungrily devours her, dragging her shoes away in the process. Right there, she vows that her life is more valuable than shoes.
Her story isn’t over yet, she still has to get to work. She finds her way to a taxi stage and boards the same taxi I was in, barefoot. None of the passengers thought to judge her; they had seen how ugly it was out there. She eventually made it to work, barefoot.
Now, to avoid such a horrid encounter with Kampala’s flooding, consider adding boots to your wardrobe. The beauty about boots is that they can be dressed up or down to suit any occasion. If you’re looking to make a fashion statement with your boots, opt for something unique, not the typical “Bootusi ya mutwalo mutwalo.”
When choosing boots, look for durable materials like leather or rubber. Avoid suede, especially if you plan to wade through water. Since waterproof is what we’re looking for, as opposed to water resistant, which isn’t as durable, these materials will get the job done.
A National Geographic article emphasises the importance of choosing boots with good soles and traction. Rain makes surfaces slippery, so proper footwear helps you move safely and confidently.
Most importantly, comfort is key; we don’t want you limping at the end of the day, before swearing never to wear those boots again. Choose a size that fits and a pair that has good padding inside. Also, pick a colour that you won’t regret, something versatile enough to match different outfits.
How to Style Boots
For both ladies and gents, go for low-cut boots in calm colours like brown, navy blue, green, or black. These shades will complement your outfit, rather than making it look like the rain forced your hand. Every time you leave the house wearing boots, your look should exude confidence and intentionality.
For rubber boots in particular, when you decide to wear them, match their colour with something you’re wearing, your shirt, jacket, watch, or even a hair band. This subtle colour coordination adds to the uniqueness of the look. Your coworkers might not even realise you’re wearing gumboots.
If you are not yet confident in your ankle boots, you could pair them with long pants, a skirt, or a dress that covers down to just below the ankle, with only the foot peeking out. This will boost your confidence and make the boots look like a completely different pair of shoes.
Now, knee-high boots hit two birds with one stone for the ladies. You’ll achieve that corporate sexy look, and you won’t reach work with soggy shoes or zero shoes for that matter. These knee-high boots can be paired with a short free dress, leather pants, or skinny jeans.
Combat boots are industrious, edgy, bold, and make a statement. In this case, your statement is ‘the weather is bad, but not bad enough to dampen my style.’ These boots can be worn with a jumpsuit, a pleated skirt, and even shorts on a game night with friends. These boots can also be complemented with a body-hugging knee-length skirt, contrasting the ready-for-war boots with the I’ll-cook-you-dinner-before-you-go skirt.
Boots are Budget Friendly
Boots are more durable, so you won’t need to buy new shoes every month. You can wear them to work, concerts, or even picnics. Their timeless style means they stay fashionable for years.
It’s wiser to invest in a good pair of boots than to keep buying cheap shoes that wear out fast. Quality over quantity.
The lady, whose shoes were swept away by the floods in Kampala, eventually got out of the taxi barefoot and grabbed another Jaj because she was running late. Frazzled, but she had to keep moving. Hopefully, she bought boots eventually.
I feel like I just scripted an entire advert for Wellington boots with that anecdote. Anyway, boots don’t have to be just a practical choice for the rainy season. With a touch a creativity, a pinch of flair, and bucket loads of confidence, boots can add funk and elegance to your style while leaving a lasting impression.
If you have encountered the floods in Kampala in your past and maybe have lost some shoes to it, share your survival story.
