| What is the Appeal of Ugg Boots?
No matter what city you travel to or even what the weather is outside, you will most likely see someone trotting along in a pair of UGG Boots. I was in New York last summer and sure enough I witnessed a young "model looking" girl wearing shorts and a pair of UGGs. She looked very comfortable and stylish, even though it was 75 degrees out! So, where did these odd looking but popular boots come from?
They were first introduced to Californians way back in 1978 when Brian Smith, a surfer, brought a load of sheepskin boots with him from Australia. Brian began to make friends with other surfers and next thing you know they were wearing the sheepskin boots too. I guess the rest of the world figured if Californians are wearing them then they must be the newest fad and the UGG Boot's fame was born! In 1995, the concept was acquired by Deckers Outdoor Corporation and it was Decker that turned the famous boots and UGG name into what it is today.
These days you can find more than boots by UGG. They have a really cool line with casual shoes, hats, gloves, scarves, backpacks, cell phone holders and you can even find pillows. They also carry a Sheepskin Care Kit to make sure your products are always clean and cared for. There are sizes and styles for men, women and children.
One of my latest favorites are flat ballet shoes named The Antoinette's which are made of thin twin-faced sheepskin for a slim and flattering fit and it has a cute little tie. I have it in a leopard print but it is also available in a solid goldish brown. They are very comfortable and also quite appealing.
There are many benefits in purchasing any of these products other than the comfort and warmth. They are very durable and long lasting. They use what is called twin-face sheepskin which is treated on both the fleece side and the skin side making it very soft. This really helps in the dead of winter as the sheepskin helps to keep your feet very close to your body temperature. They should fit you snug as your feet will mold to the sheepskin as you wear them but make sure they are not tight or uncomfortable.
You can find all the styles and products at some of the top stores in the world. I have a feeling the UGG products will be around for at least another few decades and I am sure they will just keep getting more popular. They may be odd but, I love my UGGs.
If your searching for other odd footware try looking for these:
Vibram's Glove Shoe - They sell for between $70-$100 and are allegedly great for all sorts of make believe sports like ChiRunning, Pose Method Running, and Bouldering.
Nike - Shoe Pouch For Nike+iPod Sport Kit. Available in black, red, hot pink, neon green, teal blue, navy blue, purple, and gray, the Shoe Pouch is a waterproof bag that allows you to place the sensor inside and attach to your shoe via its shoe laces. It allows runners and walkers to use the sensor from the Nike+iPod Sport Kit without having to purchase special Nike+ shoes. In addition, the pouch also provides reinforced loops, high-quality neoprene and stitching, and a Velcro strip covering the slit where the sensor is inserted. The Shoe Pouch is priced at US$7.99 each.
Crocs - Really soft, super comfortable, molds to your feet; Barely there, weighing only 6 ounces; Vented so air passes through, keeping feet cool; Non-marking. They also come in a various amount of colors including Fuchsia, pink, purple, red, royal blue, yellow, green and much more. Depending on the type of crocs you get you will be spending different amounts of money!
Where Did UGG Boots Come From?
If you have ever heard of UGG boots, you may wonder where they originated and how they came to have such an unusual name. Here is a little background on UGG boots, and some reasons why they remain in use today.
UGG Boots made their first appearance in Australia, back during the nineteenth century. Essentially, they started life as a bulky but well lines sheepskin boot that used a wool filler, including a ring of wool around the top to ensure that the wearer's feet remained warm even in the most inclement of weather. Legend has it that UGG boots got their name because many people referred to them as "ugg," which is a slang term for ugly. The name caught on with almost the same enthusiasm as UGG boot themselves, and so it has remained right down to our time.
UGG boots have a rather illustrious history. During World War I, UGG boots were given the special moniker of FUGG boots (or flying UGG boots) and were worn by pilots to keep their feet warm at the high-flying altitudes. Many of the pilots took the UGG boots home with them, so much so that by the 1930's many a farmer across Australia would not think of trying to work without having a pair of UGG boots handy.
The 1960's saw UGG boots becoming a fashion staple among the mod and hip of the day. Much of this can be attributed to the world wide surfing craze early in that decade. Australian surfers had the habit of slipping on a pair of UGG boots to warm their feet after coming out of the water. Surf enthusiasts from across the globe made note, and soon there was a demand for UGG boots that were worn as a compliment to the sheepskin coats that also were becoming a favorite among young people.
The name of UGG boots is actually trademarked today, so many alternate manufacturers now tend to refer to their product as sheepskin boots. Nevertheless, people all over the world still tend to refer to their footwear as UGG boots, whether they are officially made by the trademark holder or not. The name has been around so long that it is doubtful that people will ever let it go.
In recent years, UGG boots have enjoyed resurgence as a fashion item, owing to the interest of some prominent celebrities and other public figures. Just as always, UGG boots offer comfort, warmth, and protection today. Just as they have for almost two centuries.
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