UGGs, those iconic sheepskin boots that took the world by storm in the early 2000s, have officially made their triumphant comeback in the fashion world. While these shoes used to grace the feet of Y2K celebs like Paris Hilton, Kate Moss and even Snooki, UGGs have now, officially, come back from the dead (thank god!). Even though I will forever be a fan of the low-rise Juicy Couture UGG combo, stars like Bella Hadid have transformed the look of UGGs to fit a more modern model-off-duty look.
Not long after Miss Bella Hadid herself stepped out in the Ugg Classic Mini Platforms (and yes, I also have a pair), people all over the world flocked to their social media site of choice to bicker over whether or not these shoes are objectively ugly. While some argued that the only reason they looked good on Bella was her unbelievable ability to pull anything off, the majority of others took this as a sign that UGGs were the hot new statement shoe. Not long after, stars like Elsa Hosk, Keke Palmer and even Cardi B were spotted stepping out UGGs. And just like that, the UGG was reborn.
No longer being seen solely as the shoe of washed-up Y2K child actresses and reality TV stars, the UGG shoe became a symbol for the ultimate clean girl aesthetic. The clean girl aesthetic, a TikTok phenomenon that has impacted the style of many women, ultimately references a lifestyle and appearance that comes across as very minimalistic, yet effortlessly chic and relaxed. With the rise of athleisure and ‘pilates princess’ wardrobe stylings, the clean girl movement has taken the fashion world by storm. In fact, it was the clean girl aesthetic that gave rise to the ‘vanilla girl’ aesthetic, which also utilizes chic minimalism, but mixes in elements of coquette-core, including the use of cozy leisure wear and a color scheme composed mostly of creams. Vanilla girl influencers are even going so far as to personalize their UGGs by adding cream bows onto the back to match their leg warmers, ultimately adding to the warmth of their look.
Albeit, one thing’s for sure. Not only was Snooki quite the opposite of the clean girl aesthetic, but she also wouldn’t be caught dead wearing a color palette of only cream. So, how do these shoes do it? Somehow, UGGs manage to pull off a variety of looks quite easily. These shoes can play many roles when it comes to your wardrobe, whether that be looking for juice heads on Labor Day weekend or just cozying up with an iced vanilla latte after your pilates class.
Along with its versatile style, the undeniable comfort that comes with the UGG shoe also plays a role in its almost magical ability to withstand the evolution of aesthetics over time. Who knows? Maybe next fall, the clean girl aesthetic will be traded back in for Juicy Couture sweatsuits. Nevertheless, even as fashion trends continue to shift, one thing is for sure: UGGs are here to stay and I couldn’t be happier.