Ugg boots are fast becoming one of the fashion trends of the decade. More and more people wordwide are discovering this simple but effective Australian footwear icon.
What are Ugg boots? Uggs are boots made from pure sheepskin. The outer covering of the boot is the outside of the sheepskin, and the warm woollen part of the skin faces in.
This makes for a boot that is extremely warm and is a delight to wear, especially in cold weather like winter. Uggs are also now being made with a second and outer skin of leather that adds to the strength and the durability of the boot.
The Ugg is usually a high fitting boot, mostly coming up above the ankle, and usually much higher. Most Ugg boots are high enough to come up not far below the knee, keeping the entire lower leg warm.
It is also possible to buy sheepskin slippers, these also usually come up just above the ankle, and are also extremely warm, though not technically called Uggs.
Traditionally Ugg boots are worn outside the trousers. And for this reason Uggs are becoming part of the fashion culture. They normally come in the regular sheepskin color, which is an off white or pale color, but dyed versions are also becoming extremely popular.
It is now the norm to find Ugg boots in the stores and online which feature a wide range of colors including bright reds and greens or pinks, and all sorts of other bright colors. In the past you had little choice for your Uggs but they are now available in a wide range of colors and styles.
The Ugg boot was a quintessentially Australian product. Australia was said to ride on the sheeps back some decades ago when there were millions more sheep in the country than people, and sheepskin products were extremely common. Sheepskin is an extremely hard wearing and versatile product, and lends itself to production into jackets, boots, seat covers and much more.
Ugg boots were no exception and have been available in Australia for decades, but more recently have become available worldwide. This has resulted in the Ugg becoming a fashion accessory right throughout the world.
The Ugg boot is not a hard wearing boot like a leather boot though, and you need to take a little care with you Uggs. They are a soft boot but made with a hard plastic sole, with the sheepskin sewn onto the sole. The sole is generally hard wearing but the sheepskin sides can be prone to getting dirty very easily, though they can be easily washed.
But as any Ugg devotee will tell you, a good pair of Uggs will be the most comfortable footwear you will ever have on your feet.
As we mentioned, the word Ugg has always been used to describe boots that are made from sheepskin. Tanners turn the wool into leather and the upper part of most boots is constructed with fleece on the inside. The soles are often synthetic and the stitching is typically prominent on the outside of the boot. In fact, the conspicuous outside stitching is often the easiest way to spot a genuine pair of Uggs.
While it is true that most people purchase Uggs because they are fashionable and trendy, they quickly discover that they are also comfortable, well-made boots. Not only are they tough, but the natural animal skins and fibers help keep the feet toasty and dry.
Who Buys Uggs?
Because they are an establish fashion trend, people who care about fashion will always be their core customers, and that means girls and young women. But you don’t go from annual sales of a $14 million to $698 million in thirteen years without expanding your customer base. Most of the companies that manufacturer Uggs these days make models for girls, boys, men, and women. Some of the larger brands even offer boots or booties for infants and babies.
It is often said that success has many fathers, while failure is an orphan. Such is the case with Ugg boots, which have been a popular style of boots for over a decade now.
Though there origins are in dispute, we do know that they were developed in either Australia or New Zealand. In fact, manufactures of Ugg-style boots from both countries were embroiled in bitter disputes with an American company that owned the trademark to the name Ugg.
The locals claimed that “Ugg” was a generic term and therefore was ineligible for trademark protection. Who was right? Let us take a moment to examine the puzzling history of Uggs.
Uggs for Women and Girls
Since they are far more popular with the fairer sex, Uggs are available in a variety of styles and colors for female customers. In addition to the classic slip-on version, there are now lace-up boots and heights that go from above the ankles up to the knee.
The two most popular styles are the Short boots and the Classic Tall. For women who refuse to wear natural animal products, most manufacturers offer a synthetic version of the boots at affordable prices.
Uggs for Men and Kids
As you might expect, boots for men and kids are not available in nearly as many colors or styles as they are for the gals. Both can find Uggs in the classic style, either tall or short.
Children’s sizes range from toddler to youth and are available in chestnut, black, chocolate, and sand. Uggs for men are virtually indistinguishable from women’s boots of the same style, with the obvious exception that they are not available in as many colors. Most boots for the guys only come in black or chestnut.
