Uggly Fashion Trend

By: Chelsee Birt

You’ve seen them everywhere. They come in different colors, styles and lengths. Sarah Jessica Parker made them famous when she wore a custom-made pair of ruby red ones in the final season of Sex and the City. No, I’m not talking about Manolo Blaniks. I’m talking about Ugg boots.
It’s almost impossible to step into school and not instantly spot a pair. An outsider would probably think they were part of the dress code. Some may not know this, but Uggs aren’t a new invention. The brand has been around since 1978 when local Australian and Californian surfers used to slip on a cozy pair of the boots after hanging ten. Then in 2002, the trendsetters of Southern California certified them the "it" shoe. Countless celebs were photographed strolling around L.A. wearing them and they quickly became extremely popular. Oprah loved them so much they were on her favorite things’ list in 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2007. And she is known for setting trends.
Uggs are at the top of most young girls wish lists during the holiday season. If you plan on getting a pair for a loved one, you better plan ahead and get them before Thanksgiving. The demand is so high; it’s harder to find Uggs after Black Friday than it was to find a Tickle Me Elmo during the Christmas of ’96. Since they are so hard to get a hold of, when people finally get a pair, they people choose to wear their coveted suede footwear year round. This perplexes me. I think it’s ironic to sport a pair of suede fluffy lamb boots with daisy dukes or a mini. Why do you need to wear them in the summer when its ninety degrees outside? (Perhaps that’s why Paris always said “that's hot,”… because her feet were roasting!)
To an outsider the Ugg craze may seem ridiculous. I mean, c’mon people, be honest. These things are not the most aesthetically pleasing shoes. They’re chunky, shapeless, and are even downright UGGly. Stacy and Clinton from What not to Wear and many other self proclaimed fashionistas won’t be caught dead in them. Until recently I have strongly agreed. From seventh through tenth grade, I refused to break down and buy a $160 pair of slippers. I was not going to be another clone sporting my Northface, Coach purse, and Uggs. Then something happened that changed my life forever. I was running out the door one day, late as usual, and accidentally grabbed my sister’s pair of chestnut short classic booties. At first I was extremely depressed (tears may have been shed) and contemplated turning around to grab different shoes. In the end however, I came to the conclusion that this was not practical and I sucked it up and went to class. What happened next surprised me. I noticed the shoes were comfortable and I kind of liked them. All day my feet felt as if they were floating on clouds! My toes were so much warmer than in ballet flats or ankle boots. I realized that maybe all those clones were on to something. At the end of the day, I wasn’t crying from blisters the size of quarters that usually resulted from trampling around all day in my BCBG stilettos. These boots were durable, comfy and warm.
After all of this soul searching, I have come to the conclusion that, ugh I can’t believe I’m saying this, but maybe Uggs are ok. They are definitely not going to “make and outfit” or help you stand out in a crowd of teenage girl; but they are going to keep your little piggy’s warm when it’s below zero outside. So I say, give Ugg boots, Northfaces, and Coach purses a chance. (Maybe just try to avoid all three at once!) And to those who have tried them and still refuse, well, let 'em freeze. Because in the end, who really cares about someone’s boots?