Ugg is right
I was having a lovely Election Day until I read this little tidbit in the Telegraph — apparently Uggs are recession-proof. (In case you were wondering, classic trenches and cheap cashmere sweaters are also recession-proof, according to the article.) Despite the economic downturn, the Australian purveyor of the chunky, celebrity-endorsed boots has reported an increase in sales, year over year:
[These are not OK.]
Before we go any further, I must be absolutely honest with you, dear 'Philers: I own a pair of mid-calf, rust-colored Uggs. I wear them when dashing to the mailbox in mid-winter or when shoveling out my car. (They aren't very waterproof, by the way.) I would never, ever wear them to a restaurant or with a skirt. Gross.
There are just so many other, fashion-forward boot options out there. Why do I still see Uggs on everyone from New Hampshire moms to inner-city high school kids? Maybe it's just the trickle-down effect (described so eloquently by an icy Meryl Streep in "The Devil Wears Prada") — the same boots that Kate Moss couldn't live without five years ago are just now spreading to the burbs and less chic locales around the country. Or, maybe women (or men) who hoped to redo their kitchens or overhaul their wardrobe this season can now only afford a pair of comfortable, $150 boots to see them through the long winter. Who knows?
I recently interviewed heels enthusiast Jess Lynn of South End shoe boutique Leokadia for a Globe Magazine column and this is what she had to say about the sheepskin-lined clunkers:
“Yes, I still see them. And, yes, people gravitate towards them. Even my sisters still wear Uggs and I yell at them… They don’t look good. I understand they are comfortable, but there are all-weather boots you can wear when it’s snowing out and be comfortable and fashionable.”
Amen, sole sister.
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no no no
I like how women look in Uggs. To me they look comfortable, they have their own kind of fashionability, and they (might) signal that the wearer is competent to do something practical with her own hands and doesn't need to outsource ever last thing to the paid help.
Well written posting, but I really wish these would go away forever. Especially when they're worn in the summer and with skirts...
"Why do I still see Uggs on everyone from New Hampshire moms to inner-city high school kids? Maybe it's just ... ."
Or maybe it;'s just that they're just plain comfortable. And cute - **especially** with a mini-skirt.
I just don't see how functional boots can ever look stylish. I agree these Uggs should be worn for warmth, in private. I would love to see you suggest some fashionable alternatives. I have not seen any.
I have still have my pair of Uggs from 1990. I lived in southern CA and they were popular there with the surf crowd. I moved here in 1995 and people made fun of me when I wore them. Ha! I guess things (slowly) catch on... these have been around for over a decade!
This is not a "style" argument we ever have in Australia - unless you are a total bogan (your equivalent is probably redneck trailer-trash), the ONLY place you ever wear Ugg Boots is inside the house the house, preferably curled up on the couch in comfortable trackie dacks (ie track suit pants).
A stylish person would NEVER wear them out in public (in fact, wearing of Ugg Boots in public in Oz was only ever a style trend for a brief time after their introduction back in about the mid-70's.)
My hope is that those hideaous , brightly coloured plastic "Crocs" soon join them in obscurity!
Rob
Agreed!
I do admittedly own a pair of Uggs. I wear them when walking to work in the cold weather as they are comfortable and warm (I walk about 1.5 miles). They are kept under my pants so you can only see the toes. I consider them strictly a functional shoe for such short walks or quick errands and would never wear them out as part of an outfit. If it's a fashion statement I don't think it's one anyone wants to make.
Whether you like them or hate them - you can't beat Ugg boots for sheer comfort and warmth. I love my Celt Boots - which are fantastically well made and don't collapse like other makes. They were a lot cheaper than the other Ugg boots on the market and are made by an ethical, British company - The Celtic Sheepskin Co. I don't wear mine out to a restuarant - but they are perfect for walking the dog, and I can turn down the heating indoors - which saves me money on my fuel bill!
Since moving here, it's never ceased to amaze me how unfashionable Boston is. It's not a city where aesthetics are valued greatly. Personally, I find it depressing. It really is kind of a downer, and I think I'll eventually move.
Anyway, in case you didn't realize, Uggs are soooo yesterday.
I've surfed for decades, and I can promise you no one in "the surf crowd" would even THINK of showing up in Uggs. They're wintertime Crocs as far as I'm concerned.
You're breaking my heart. I thought for sure the financial crisis would at least knock some sense into people paying $125+ for the ugliest boots in history. At least crocs were ugly but cheap. The worst part is all my daughter's 10 year old friends must have Uggs even though their feet grow and you need a new pair every 3 months. I actually saw a little toddler in church with them. Ugg for sure!
if it's practical, comfortable, cute, and SOOOOOO comfy, why hate something so wonderful? Find me a boot that some snob would call "stylish" that can still keep your toes from freezing off, don't give you blisters or whatever ailments, and still look postively adorable! seriously. I wear mine with skinny jeans and as soon as the temperature drops below 80 I have mine on. They are the best things since I bought my first pair last year. It's not a fashion statement, it's a lifestyle! When did COMFORT become such a problem? You wear your manolos in the dead of a boston winter and I'll stick to what actually works.
If people vote with their feet, well Uggs win the pole this time since a heck of a lot of people are still wearing em despite the fugliness - sometimes comfort over style is perfectly fine. I dread to think the state Victoria Beckhams spine is in wearing those revolting scaffolding heels, a woman staggering down the street in high heels looks equally bizarre to me as someone wearing a long pair of outdoor slippers.
How about some alternatives rather just a rant against Uggs?
The "comfort" point is so old and overdone. Guess what? My pajamas are comfortable too. So are fuzzy socks. But I don't wear those out. If you think uggs are "cute" then you probably also pair them with leggings and a denim mini, UGG indeed.
don't hate on the uggs.
the original Australian UGG boots are not only comfy, but look great (worn the right way!) with skirts and skinny jeans. Unfortunately, the British version, Celtic Sheepskin boots, aren't very good quality and the soles wear down very quickly and never look quite the same after being machine washed - a quality you don't expect paying £120 + on boots. My advice - pay the extra £40 and get a pair of the real deal authentic UGGs.
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