Where Did The UGG Boot Appear From?
The ugg boot originated in Australia where the term was used to
describe any boot made of sheepskin. The word ugg was thought to
have stemmed from the word ugly as the boots were not deemed to
have been very aesthetically pleasing. So, how did they develop
from the ugly boot to the must have fashion item of the past
year?
The ugg boot was used by pilots in World War I as its fleece
lining was ideal to keep their feet warm. For the same reason
it is believed that farmers from as long ago as the 1930’s wore
the boots in the fields. The boots grew in popularity in the
1960’s when surfers would put them on when they came back to
shore and they then started to be worn around the house as
extravagant slippers during the winter months.
These ugg boots are still made by many manufacturers in
Australia – remember that the term ugg is used for a style and
it not a brand name there – but they are now having to market
them as Australian Sheepskin Boots and not Ugg Boots. This is
because a US company has been founded called UGG Australia and
Ugg Boot is now a registered brand name.
Nobody quite knows when these boots became a fashion item and
stopped being used for practical reasons alone. Obviously,
their comfort, warmth and practicality have helped them grow in
popularity but nothing sells a product as well and as quickly as
celebrity endorsement and Ugg boots have had an awful lot of
that. Celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Pamela Anderson, Kate
Moss and Sienna Miller have all been seen wearing them and
openly confess to being fans of the footwear.
Sheepskin Ugg boots are available in two different lengths –
tall and short. The tall version almost comes up to the knee
whereas the shorter style is not much more than an ankle boot.
They can have a flat heel or a slightly raised chunky one and
can be lace up or slip on styles. The boots are available in
shades of brown and beige, in addition to which are the pink
and purple ranges available in women’s sizes only.
By now you have probably gathered that the Ugg boot is ideal to
wear in cold weather as they keep your feet lovely and warm.
However, due to the nature of sheepskin, you are not advised to
wear them in excessively wet or muddy conditions. They are also
impractical for snowy weather.
If you so find you need to clean your boots at any time you
must always use cold water to do so. Hot water can permanently
damage the delicate sheepskin and so should be avoided at all
costs. For the same reason, you must ensure your boots are left
to dry naturally and are not situated near a direct heat source.
The boots should be stuffed with newspaper when drying in order
for them to keep their shape. The newspaper also absorbs some
of the moisture from the boot and so aids the drying process.
Chemical products are available to help with the cleaning
process but they should be used with care and only products
specifically for this type of boot should be used as others may
cause damage.