The Ugg Trend
You're on a beach in Australia or New Zealand - you choose. Your eyes follow a surfer as he runs up from the water, surfboard under his arm. Once he's put down his surfboard, he dries off and puts on what seems to be a furry, boot slipper of some sort. Suddenly, a group of surfers walk by and they're all wearing the furry things on their feet!
Uggs, originally produced in the Australia or New Zealand, started as a beach boot for surfers and beach goers in the 1960's. Though the boot didn't gain popularity in the U.S until the late 1990's, today one can't go very far out of his/her house without seeing at least one person wearing a pair of Ugg boots or slippers. Their extreme comfort and durability in snow, rain, and other wet terrain make Uggs a no brainer for, well, anyone looking for something to wear during the winter months.
The Ugg trend started when Uggs started gaining serious popularity in 2004. Once available for adults in a couple shades of tan, Ugg Australia (the company name) began producing Uggs for babies, toddlers, kids, teens, and adults. They also began to offer an array of colors and designs. After the trend picked up you could see girls wearing Uggs with skirts to school and babies wearing Uggs to daycare. Not only were Uggs "in", they were a status symbol. With the average price of a pair of Uggs being between $100-$200, they allowed you to wear strange looking snow boots while still being upscale and classy. Like Crocs, Uggs are comfortable and colorful - but are they fashionable? Many people will bash Uggs and their looks, yet everyone seems to have at least one pair (real or fake) in their house.
Fussell's idea, "everyone must wear a uniform, but everyone must deny wearing one", relates to Uggs because they've come from being practical to being a statement piece. It's interesting though, because even though Ugg produces a variety of cheetah print, bedazzled, fur covered, and other funky designs, you will rarely see those designs off the shelf and on someones feet. This is because everyone wants to wear what everyone else is wearing: tan, black, or grey Uggs. This makes it easier to pick out the people who truly dress for themselves. Next time you see someone wearing glittery Uggs, give them a high five for individuality.
