Uggs are making a comeback this year, among many other 2000s trends. However, we no longer wear our Uggs with low-rise jeans and baby tees (though we do still wear those). Instead, we’ve embraced a more casual and comfortable style. But did you know those Uggs you see everyone wearing around campus now are not what they seem? These American Uggs may be cool, but they’re not the OGs. For those of you who don’t know what Uggs are, The UGG brand can be seen all over campus. UGG makes clogs, boots, slippers, and sandals. The term “Uggs” was coined in the 2000s when the boots started to become a fad for celebrities.
Unveiling the truth about everyone’s favorite cozy boots takes us to the heart of Australia, where they were made for a more practical purpose – surfing. I know what you’re thinking, surfing? I thought Ugg boots were for the winter! According to the original Ugg company, Ugg Since 1974, Ugg boots were created for surfers and “were favored by locals to keep their feet warm on the way to their morning surf.” Uggs were made for surfers to help keep their feet warm before and after their surf, which is easily seen in the design now that we know about it! The easy slip-on convenience of a boot mixed with the insulation of wool-lined shoes, makes for the perfect surfing “warm-up” shoe!
So when did Uggs become popular in America? Well, in the early 2000s, Uggs became a staple in pop culture. However, these are not the beloved Uggs made by our friends down under. This company was not Ugg Since 1974, but instead its American knockoff, UGG. While it’s unclear when the switch was made without anyone noticing, the original company made it very clear how it happened. “Deckers Outdoor Corporation or UGG® applied for and was successfully granted, an even more protective trademark, effectively taking the right to sell our own Australian product from all of the original Australian manufacturers overnight. In an even bigger irony, Deckers Outdoor Corporation has no connection of significance with Australia, and does not manufacture boots in Australia,” says Ugg Since 1974.
So, you know those cozy Uggs we’re all rocking these days? Turns out, they’re not the real deal. Forget the winter vibes and think beach – these boots were initially meant for Aussie surfers and we’re the ones who have been wearing them wrong.