The Warmest Brand Ever: Ugg
- Posted by: angeli.krohmal
UGG, the American brand with Australian roots, has been one of the favorite footwear brands around the world for decades. The sheepskin invention was originally a way to warm the feet of Australian surfers, but later gained popularity in the United States as a stylish and very comfortable footwear for different seasons. Today the UGG brand is not only those high boots with sheepskin inside in the famous tan shade, but also other models of footwear, clothing, including home, and accessories. Let's pick out some trendy and super comfortable Australian Ugg boots for ourselves.
An amazing invention of mankind, originally serving purely practical purposes in the pursuit of comfort and warmth, has become one of the most coveted footwear models? How did minimalist boots, lacking classic beauty, win the hearts of millions of people around the world and become a sign of good taste? Let's find out what makes Uggs so good.
Uggs boots have quite a rich and colorful history. It all started in Australia at the end of the 19th century. Uggs can be quite considered the national footwear on this continent. Initially, rather bulky boots with sheep's wool inside were used by farmers and other workers, allowing them to keep their feet warm even in wet weather and slush with mud. Local small businesses made Uggs all over Australia.
The funny story behind the origin of the nickname Uggs comes from an expression of squeamishness - something between an inarticulate interjection expressing dislike and the word "ugly". The shoes really do not look attractive and graceful, but are characterized by excellent comfort.
During World War I, these shoes saved pilots from the cold on combat missions - airplanes and fighter planes did not have heating systems at that time.
In the form we are used to, Uggs were formed around the 1930s and were as simple as possible in manufacturing - 2 layers of sheepskin with wool and suede side, and did not lose their qualities for a long time.
Things started to change globally when Uggs were thought of by surfers who felt discomfort after a long stay in the cold ocean. Surfing became incredibly popular in the 60's, and it was necessary to keep warm after the session. Coincidentally, one of these athletes, Brian Smith, went on a trip to the United States and, of course, brought a few pairs of his favorite shoes with him. The Americans were delighted! Starting in California, word of Uggs quickly spread among local surfers and skiers. Smith realized there was no way to pass up a chance like this, especially while making a huge profit. His first investment was $500 for six pairs of boots that were made in his homeland. Initially, he did not think about his own company, believing that he could just sell the boots made in third-party factories in Australia. However, he decided to take an independent step.
In 1978, UGG Australia was officially registered. Brian, being an accountant by training, understood the importance of the idea, and therefore formalized everything the right way - from quality tailoring in his native Australia to the creation of a brand name and quality advertising. In addition, Australians already frequently traveling to America created demand by simply wearing Uggs at resorts, strolling around the neighborhood or going to the beach to catch another wave - as they had been used to since childhood. The company's founder wasn't shy about simply offering his product to local stores and although American merchants didn't immediately believe in the idea, the fame of the useful footwear for surfers and a sign of the Australian chill vibe was already spreading beyond the US.
In the early 90's the boom in popularity of Uggs happened thanks to "Baywatch" and Pamela Anderson. The actress spent a lot of time on set in the water and sand and vacationed in Australian boots as well, like many from the project. The rumor spread among many celebrities and now Uggs have become the most talked about shoe with a shock effect. Celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Oprah Winfrey, Hugh Jackman, Charlize Theron, Avril Lavigne and dozens more have praised the comfort of these shoes both during vacations and in between grueling shoots and performances.
Eventually the brand was acquired by a large holding company Deckers, which facilitated the scaling of production. The brand significantly expanded its shoe collection, began to divide it by gender and separately produce shoes for children. Every season new creative models of shoes are released. Now from Uggs you can buy super comfortable clothes, a separate attention in the brand is paid to home (including slippers). The brand makes wonderful accessories, such as gloves, scarves. This season we can see the development of the brand in the field of creating bags. As we think tote bag and Uggs company is a perfect match.
In some ways, this monopoly on Uggs production may seem like an ultimatum. The company is fighting its competitors who make no effort to create an authentic product and blatantly copy even the name. And it is certainly cracking down on the proliferation of counterfeits, and this has become a rather acute problem since the main production facilities were moved to China. However, local production of these boots is still common in Australia itself, which honors the heritage. One of the most famous brands registered in Australia is Uggs-N-Rugs.
To some extent, Uggs can be described as related to valenki, or felt boots, common among Slavic peoples. The material is the same - sheepskin, but the way the raw material is processed is different, which brings a visual difference in the final result.
Uggs are a truly versatile shoe, they have excellent thermoregulation. The sheep's wool is excellent at absorbing moisture and allowing air to pass through. In cold temperatures, Uggs products will keep you warm, but on a hot coast you will be comfortable in these warm and winter looking shoes.
All products are made from natural sheepskin, but the brand does not stand still and improves materials and technology. So, echoing the struggle for excessive use of natural materials, the company began to use synthetic fibers to mix with natural wool. In addition, special attention is paid to the sole, which should not contain any dangerous chemicals.
Interesting fact: When selling his company, Brian put a clause in his contract to receive 3 pairs of Uggs in each year for the rest of his life. Although he was not the original inventor of the boots, he was able to glorify the Australian heritage and benefit the whole world.
What to wear Uggs with:
Yes, these are not the beautiful shoes we were used to before the era of Australian boots. However, the simplicity and literally primitive lines of the silhouette dispose to make Uggs a base. In the classic version, they look great with similarly solid clothing, such as a Teddy coat. However, a strict coat will also be a good combination. Thanks to the rather loose shank, it is easy to tuck any pants into Uggs. For the winter season there is nothing better than a combination: Uggs together with an oversize down jacket and a huge scarf, for example, from Acne Studios - you will definitely not freeze. In order not to look too baggy, choose not the widest models (it is better to refrain from palazzos when wearing these shoes). Uggs and knitwear seem to be made for each other: complete your outfit with jeans and a long cardigan with a large knit - this will become a trend for 2023/24. Feel free to experiment: you can look very feminine with skirts and Uggs. The shorter the skirt, the higher the boots should be, so you will emphasize the gracefulness of thin legs. A maxi dress will look great with the Ultra mini version of Uggs.
The most extravagant options can be a body and Uggs - just in the spirit of Australian and Californian surfers. Complement such a bold outfit with a tunic or cardigan made of light fabrics, such as chiffon. Another unconventional combination can be a tracksuit and Uggs - a more relaxed look while running errands is hard to imagine.
Uggs are the footwear that are hard to replace. Everyone should have at least 1 model of these boots in their fashionable closet. Any outfit will be flavored with a portion of special coziness and even some vibe of ethnics.
