The humble gumboot has made the leap from the farm to become a hot item among Sydney fashionistas.

Beloved of farmers and small children, gumboots have gone from practical footwear to must-have fashion item. Brightly coloured, patterned, adorned with buckles and ties - gone are the days when the choice was largely black.

But the question is: are they appropriate for the workplace?

While corporate stylist Melanie Moss loves the emergence of the rubber boots as a style item, she believes they have their place.

"It's a really cute trend," she said. "I think you can get away with [wearing them to work] in the media and creative industries, and I guess if you're brave on a casual Friday [in a corporate environment].

"But it's really a going to work and heading home from work thing to keep you warm. I definitely think they have to be kicked off once you get to the desk."

Shoe designer and socialite Terry Biviano, whose name is synonymous with towering stilettos, admits to reservations.

"I love gumboots, but I don't know that they're so appropriate for the office or work," she said.

Whatever their place in the corporate world, there is no doubt gumboots have been walking out of Sydney shops - their popularity boosted further during recent downpours. Robert Burton's store in Woollahra stocks a high-end line from Britain that range in price between $149 and $245.

"They've been terrific," Mr Burton said. "Sales have been phenomenal - I pray for rain every day!"

Palm Beach Shoes in Paddington has also recorded huge sales for its cheaper brands, which sell for $49.

"They've done extra well," store manager Jackie Grogan said. "We're nearly out of a lot of sizes."

Ms Grogan reports that her best-selling styles were plain leopard print, a denim patchwork print and traditional "posh English horsey types".

The equestrian-style gumboot is a longer, slimmer style and more flattering for many women.

Freelance fashion stylist Clare Hemsworth, who favours a pair of country green, sheepskin-lined gumboots, is thrilled with the fusion of fashion and practicality.

"I'm overjoyed with them - I could live in them," she said.

"I wore them for three days on a job last week and everybody thought they were really trendy.

"I think the plain ones look better with jeans, but I love the patterned ones worn with tights and mismatched with a patterned dress."

The increased popularity of gumboots has been led by top designers such as Marc Jacobs.

Other fashion houses to revive the gumboot in recent years include Pucci, Fendi and Burberry.

Some labels have released high-heeled and wedge-sole boots, some offer a fake-fur trim and there has even been a cowboy boot style.

"Gumboots are certainly a better alternative to walking to work in winter in thongs," Ms Moss said.