Knittedugg News

Wednesday 17 March, 2010

Ugg boots make big fashion statement

by Administrator | post a comment

Ugg boots have come a long way from their humble roots as functional footwear in the fields and on the beaches of Australia. Commonly known Down Under as uggs, ughs or ugs, the unisex sheepskin boots have been made for about 200 years with wool on the inside and tanned leather on the outside.

According to folklore, Ugg boots were first worn by Australian sheep ranchers, followed by aviators in non-pressurized planes on long missions during World War I and World War II. Australian surfers in the 1960s and 1970s began wearing the boots at the beach to keep their feet warm after coming out of the water. Surfer Brian Smith brought the Womens sandals to the United States in 1978, and the rest is history.

Still sold by many small, family-owned businesses in Australia, the best-known international ugg outletretailer is Ugg Australia, an American company that has capitalized on the more recent popularity of the boots. Rachel Anderson, an instructor in the apparel design and manufacturing program at Texas Tech, said a well-known Hollywood bombshell may be responsible for the boots' popularity stateside.

"I read that Pamela Anderson was one of the first to wear Ugg boots, during film breaks for Baywatch," Anderson said with a laugh. "However it got started, celebrities were definitely responsible for making the look popular with the rest of us."

In addition to Ugg Australia, popular sheepskin boots retailers which sale uggs include Emu, Koolaburra and Warmbat. Anderson said because the real thing is more expensive, there are plenty of Ugg look-alikes out on the market. "

Ugg Australia claims their boots will last at least four to five years," Anderson said. "The faux sheepskin boots are cheaper, but they don't last as long and aren't as comfortable. Real or not, this look is extremely popular in Lubbock because of the college crowd, and they make up a huge portion of the local market."

Tech senior Naomi Ortega has been wearing Knitted uggs for two years. She mostly pairs them with jeans, but admits to wearing them occasionally with shorts and leggings.

News for Monday 15 March, 2010