I dream of a winter when ankle booties reign supreme. When feet walk to and fro in fantastic flats. When leather and suede boots pound the pavement. When Hunter Boots become a staple in every closet. Yes ladies and gents … I dream of a winter with NO UGG BOOTS. I bet the record in your head just screeched. Jaws up, ladies, jaws up.
Ugg boots came into vogue when I was in high school, some odd six or seven years ago. The snobby girls would strut around my high school in different colored Ugg boots every day with jean skirts and an Abercrombie and Fitch polo (hi, it was New Jersey, not Cali) … and quite frankly they made me want to vomit then too. I vowed to never own a pair … UNTIL … I went to college. When spending the optimal amount of time in bed was key and sweat pants, hoodies and jeans were considered haute couture, owning a pair of Uggs was necessary. They matched everything and were simple and cute for their purpose. I can safely say EVERY single girl on my campus owned a pair by the time I graduated.
So now it is 2011, going on 2012, and people are still buying and lusting after Ugg boots like they are right off the runway. What?! I’ve seen numerous trends come and go, and come and go again, yet these boots have clung to the American public like white on rice. Listen here, they are no longer cute, original or trendy … they are common, and we are ALL better than common. And I gotta say, Ugg must have roofied us somehow because, in all honesty, they aren’t cute! Think about it, Jimmy Choo couldn’t even make them cute!
Remember when everyone was freaking out over crocs, loving them until the reality of how unforgivably ugly they were set in, so instead, they turned into a great shoe for children? Well friends, this is exactly what needs to happen to Ugg boots. They are easy, warm and absolutely adorable for kids. Moms out there, this is a win, win!
I know all of us probably own one or two pairs, in fact I have one pair left and they are too expensive to toss. But the only socially acceptable time to wear them is during a snow storm. Shovel, play, frolic, wear them with your leggings or jeans … but ONLY when there is snow on the ground. Don’t wear them to work, to run errands, to the gym, to the bar, to the grocery store or anywhere else for that matter. Just don’t. Think of what your life was like without these beasts? What did you wear?
A winter without Uggs … what a fabulous and refreshing concept. Will you give them up too, because I am starting a revolution!
Life Sucks In A Strapless Bra 
I disagree with your post, but sympathize with your perspective. I can see where your exasperation with the Ugg movement comes from. It got a bit out of control there. And of course, they are ugly as sin. On the other larger hand, they are very functional. They started as utilitarian beach shoes in 1970’s Australia, and were meant to keep swimmer and surfer’s little tootsies warm after being in the cold ocean – especially in winter or at night. Having spent eleven years in California, I can guarantee that they aren’t going anywhere. It’s like trying to have a flip flop free summer- not going to happen. I think the real problem is that most people in the country associate Uggs with the year 2000 and look at them like a trend that came and should have went. But the power of Uggs (their warmth and sand averting tendencies) make them a staple in coastal regions and they aren’t going anywhere. My father in law wears has been wearing them for 30 years (he’s an old surfer), and telling him that Uggs are out of style would be like telling him that pants are passe. Although I just moved from San Diego to the Southeast, I will still don my Uggs. Not because I’m trying to make some sort of statement, but just because there’s nothing else like them.
ps. I really like your writing.
I absolutely see your side of the story and thanks for giving me some Ugg history … I was completely unaware, very cool! Hey, if they work for you … make them work. I’m all about personal style and making things your own. And thank you so much for all of your fabulous comments! I’m very flattered, keep reading!
By the way, I will vow not to over wear them. Never ever to work. But I can’t say I’ll give up wearing them to the drugstore or on long car rides.
I think it bothers me most when girls wear them and its WARM OUT. I can only imagine how smelly those beasts are at the end of a long hot day with no socks.
You are so right! Wear them during a blizzard or bust! Thanks for the fantastic comment!
I don’t know if they “work” for me, but I just can’t care. Some days, I just need sheep embracing my feet. 🙂