How to get the look: Rain boots

Freya boots from Ilse Jacobsen, £135, plumo.com

Just what I was after for the office do.

Ah, you'll but you'll be so much more grateful for these than any slinky LBD or bingo-wing cover-up. Christmas party season, let's not forget, usually comes accompanied by large amounts of rain, snow and sleet.

I usually just power through in ballet pumps.

As do many of us. But there are few things so enjoyable – or infrequent – as the feeling of being adequately clothed in winter.

So wellies until next March in case of sudden showers?

Not wellies; rain boots!

Aren't all boots suitable for rain?

Oddly, given the number of peep-toes and cut-aways, the last thing you'd expect a boot to be nowadays is waterproof. I can't pretend these natural rubber Freya boots from Ilse Jacobsen (£135, plumo.com, pictured above) will take you from boardroom to barstool, but they're torrent-proof and stylish enough for daywear.

They still look more country than town to me.

Urbanites are entitled to a bit of rural chic. Don these on a Sunday and start tramping about your local park as if it's your estate in the shires. Alternatively, JuJu's jelly boots in glitter (£45, urbanoutfitters.co.uk) will distinguish you more firmly from the green-wellie brigade.