Okay so last week I was literally sprinting through downtown Austin trying to get to this brand collab meeting, and it started absolutely pouring. Like, the kind of rain that makes you question all your life choices, you know? I’m wearing these cute suede ankle boots that looked perfect when I left my apartment, but within like thirty seconds they were completely soaked and making this gross squelching sound with every step.
I showed up to the meeting looking like I’d been dunked in a swimming pool, which isn’t exactly the vibe you want when you’re trying to convince a brand you’re professional enough to represent them. The whole time I’m sitting there with wet socks, thinking about how my followers are always asking about rainy day outfit inspo, and I’m out here failing at basic waterproof footwear.
Here’s the thing though – I absolutely cannot and will not wear rain boots. I know some influencers make them look cute, but honestly? They make me look like a little kid who got dressed by their mom. I bought these expensive Hunter boots during my freshman year at UT thinking I’d be all preppy and put-together, wore them exactly twice, and now they’re collecting dust in my closet. They just don’t work with my aesthetic, and I refuse to sacrifice my entire look just because it’s drizzling.
But clearly my current shoe game wasn’t cutting it either. Austin weather is honestly so unpredictable – it’ll be sunny when you leave and then suddenly there’s a flash flood warning on your phone. I needed to figure out how to keep my feet dry without looking like I was about to go feed chickens or whatever.
So I basically became obsessed with finding the perfect rainy day shoes. I started DMing other creators asking what they wear, stalking outfit posts during storms, even stopping people on the street when I saw them looking cute and dry during downpours. My roommate thinks I’ve lost it, but this is literally research for my content and also for my own survival.
The breakthrough came when I saw this girl on TikTok wearing these chunky platform boots in the rain, and she looked amazing. Not like she was trying too hard to be edgy, just effortlessly cool while staying completely dry. I screenshot her outfit immediately and started researching similar styles.
Combat boots were never really my thing before – I always thought they were too heavy or too goth for my usual aesthetic. But I found these perfect black ones from Steve Madden with thick rubber soles and decent ankle support, and oh my god, they changed everything. They’re comfortable enough to walk around all day (which I do constantly for content), waterproof when you treat them right, and they actually make my legs look good with shorter dresses.
The key is getting ones with really good tread on the bottom. Austin sidewalks get crazy slippery when wet, and I’ve definitely had some close calls trying to film TikToks in inappropriate footwear. These boots actually give you grip, plus they look intentional rather than like you just grabbed whatever was closest to the door.
I’ve gotten so into the chunky boot trend that I bought a brown pair too, and some slightly more streamlined ones that work better with skinny jeans. Each pair gets sprayed with waterproofing stuff regularly – I use this brand called Crep Protect that actually works, unlike some of the cheaper options I tried first.
For days when combat boots feel like too much, Chelsea boots are honestly perfect. They’re sleek enough that you don’t look like you’re cosplaying, but they still protect your feet way better than regular shoes. The trick is finding ones with actual rubber soles instead of those leather ones that basically turn into sponges the second it starts sprinkling.
My current favorites are from Zara – they were like $80 which felt steep at the time, but I’ve worn them constantly for over a year and they’re still holding up great. The elastic part fits snugly around your ankle so rain can’t sneak in, and they work with literally everything. I’ve worn them to coffee dates, brand events, even dressier dinners where I still wanted to look put-together.
I also have this slightly more expensive pair from Madewell that I splurged on during a good month. They’re more of an investment piece, but honestly worth it because they go with so many different outfits and I know they’ll last. My friend who works at Nordstrom swears by hers and she walks around downtown all day for work.
The most controversial option, and I know people have opinions about this, is waterproof sneakers. Not like, obvious rain shoes, but actual cute sneakers that happen to handle water well. I have these Adidas Ultraboosts that aren’t marketed as waterproof but the material is thick enough that light rain just rolls right off.
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For heavier rain, I found these amazing sneakers from this brand called Allbirds that are specifically made to handle water. They look like normal trendy sneakers – you’d never know they’re designed for weather – but you can literally step in puddles and stay completely dry. I was super skeptical until I tested them myself during one of those sudden Austin thunderstorms.
When I absolutely have to look more dressed up but it’s still gross outside, I have these pointed-toe ankle boots with a block heel from Target that work surprisingly well. The heel is thick enough that you won’t sink into soft ground or get stuck in grates, and the leather is treated to repel water. They’re not gonna survive a hurricane, but for normal rainy days when you still need to look professional, they’re perfect.
Honestly though, taking care of your shoes is just as important as buying the right ones. Everything gets waterproofed before I wear it outside, and I actually clean them regularly instead of just throwing them in my closet covered in mud. It sounds high-maintenance but it takes like five minutes and saves you from having to replace everything constantly.
I learned this the hard way after ruining multiple pairs of cute shoes because I didn’t want to spend money on protection spray. Now I treat it like an investment – spend a little extra on maintenance and your shoes will actually last. My dad always said this about his work boots and I thought it was boring old man advice, but turns out he was completely right.
The other thing I’ve figured out is that you really need at least three different options. Like, you can’t just have one pair of rain shoes and expect them to work for every situation. I keep the combat boots for heavy rain and casual days, Chelsea boots for when I need to look more put-together, and the waterproof sneakers for running around and being active.
With those three covered, I can handle pretty much any weather situation without having to completely change my whole aesthetic. It’s still annoying when it rains during golden hour and ruins my outdoor content plans, but at least my feet stay dry and I don’t look ridiculous in my stories.
The thing is, weather shouldn’t dictate whether you feel confident in your outfit. I used to let rain completely throw off my whole day because I’d either look cute and be miserable, or be practical and hate how I looked. Now I can still feel like myself even when Austin decides to dump three inches of rain in thirty minutes, which happens way more often than you’d think.
I know it seems extra to put this much thought into shoes, but when you’re creating content every day and your appearance literally affects your income, details matter. Plus my followers genuinely appreciate when I share practical advice instead of just posting pretty pictures of things they can’t afford or wouldn’t actually wear in real life.
So next time you’re standing in your closet staring at a weather forecast that makes no sense, just remember that you don’t have to choose between staying dry and looking good. The right shoes exist, you just have to be willing to think outside the basic rain boot box and invest in pieces that actually work for your lifestyle.
