Criticism can either destroy a passion or fuel it. No company understands this better than UGGs. Without the creative tenacity fueling the company’s most popular item, the 2024 Christmas Gift of the Year might never have existed.
In 1958, Frank Mortel invented a pair of sheepskin boots and presented the design to his wife. She saw them as ugly, and nothing like the trendsetter that they have become this year. Hence, the creation of UGGs was based on their first official hater, Mortel’s wife.
These boots were originally worn by sheep shearers because they were resistant to wool yolk, which was known to rot their ordinary boots. But, by the early 1970s, UGG boots became popular among competitive surfers in Australia as a means of keeping their feet warm out of the water.
Yet, as soon as they entered the fashion world, they disappeared. They didn’t resurface again until 2003, when daytime talk show host Oprah Winfrey wore these shoes in the second edition of “Oprah’s Favorite Things,” bringing to light their versatile styling abilities.
Since then, they have been hot and cold in terms of popularity. After the initial craze in the early 2000s, the 2010s saw them as ugly once again.
Enter in the 2020s. COVID-19 sparks new fashion trends via social media apps like TikTok and Instagram. The latest influencers saw their basic nature as comfy and cool. With celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid photographed styling them, UGGs were back on the market.
The company quickly responded to the fad by marketing different styles and expanding its styles and marketing. Today, UGGs are everywhere; online, in stores, and more. The corporation expanded to sell more than just the shoe, but the teenagers behind them, crafting apparel, accessories, and homeware pieces to match the shoes.
With the general awareness that UGGs are comfortable, soft, and cute, the brand has found a way to defend the outrageous prices. With styles like the Classic Mini and the Tasmins, teenagers across America have rampaged the trend of one of the most popular shoes yet. Not even the 100 to 200 dollar sticker price has dissuaded the popular vote.
For some, these shoes signify importance. Matching with the elite celebrities that wear them gives individuals the impression that they’re just like them. While plenty of alternatives exist to the trending shoe, those who are entranced by their appearance pick the name over the quality. Ironically, Florida natives will indulge in these non-waterproof shoes, since rain is the one constant companion to the state.
Yet, some justify their supposed comfort over practicality, as fitting in in today’s society is arguably more important than their sopping wet feet. With their basic appeal and borderline suffocating stuffing, who wouldn’t want to insulate their toes with this brand?
