The Resurgence of the Ugg Boot
The Resurgence of the Ugg Boot
By: Brooklyn Hoffmann
The early 2000s are best trademarked by the plethora of short-lived fashion trends the time period gave birth to, such as miniskirts, baby tees, and flared Juicy cargo sweatpants. One of the most well-known fads at the time was none other than the classic Ugg boot. Ugg Australia reached peak fame in 2000, but sales gradually declined until the brand strategically rebranded its way into the fashion world once again, this time as a modern-day fashion staple.
The classic Ugg boot was born when Australian surfer Brian Smith moved to Australia in 1978 and designed the utilitarian footwear out of his favorite material – sheepskin. The boots were soon adopted as a symbol of SoCal beach culture and surf shops from San Diego to Santa Cruz supplied them. The boots are typically made of twin-faced sheepskin with fleece on the inside, a tanned outer surface, and a synthetic sole. This style was often worn by surfers in the 1960s for warmth and was introduced to the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1970s.
Ugg boots became a fashion trend in the United States in the late 1990s and a worldwide trend in the mid-2000s. The brand experienced sky-rocketing sales when Oprah Winfrey mentioned Ugg boots on a list of her favorite things at the time. Soon after, other major celebrities started to show their affection toward the brand and outfits began to seem incomplete without the signature sheepskin boots. The world watched figures such as Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, and Vanessa Hudgens style Uggs with denim miniskirts and Juicy Couture tracksuits and followed their lead. In the 2010s, however, the Ugg boot phenomenon began to slowly exit the fashion scene and most fashion moguls became repulsed at the sight of a Mini Bailey Bow II Boot. The brand was soon tossed into the fashion no-go bin and usurped by the rise of other popular footwear.
In the late 2010s, the release of the Ugg sandal slippers, referred to as the Fluff Yeah Slide, eased the fashion world back into the once-popular style. By the early 2020s, the Ugg brand launched itself back into the world at full force. The Classic Mini II Boot began being seen on a multitude of influencers on Instagram and TikTok. Ugg has ultimately rebranded itself into a more neutral version of the classic style. Celebrities such as Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner have been spotted wearing a variety of Ugg boots and slippers, further contributing to its recent resurgence in the media. With fall here and winter upon us, we can only hope the comfortable footwear stays in the limelight.
Keep reading Square Magazine to stay up to date on all things fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. And be sure to follow @um.squaremagazine on Instagram.
All images belong to their respective owners.