Boot

Left boot from a pair of Classic tall UGG boots in sand. Made of twin-faced sheepskin, reinforced suede heel guards and raw seams. The boots can be folded down for a different look. The sole features UGG Australia logo in relief.

Ugg, or ugh, boots have been traditional footwear in Australia and New Zealand for many years due to the sheep-rich economies. The versatile footwear which keeps the wearer warm in winter and cool in summer became popular in the late 1990s when worn by celebrities like Pamela Anderson on Baywatch. The trend became global in the early 2000s to become a fashion staple. This new style credibilty contrasts with how they were considered in their native countries, as functional, comfortable and deeply unflattering, like slippers. The synthetic contoured sole allowed them to be worn outside in a variety of weather.

The brand UGG Australia is actually American. There has been controversy and numerous lawsuits in Australia due to the large company's attempts to trademark this generic name for any type of pull-on sheepskin boot. Smaller manufactuers banded together to sucessfully fight this attempt to shut down long-established trades in this kind of footwear.