| First of all, what are Ugg boots? They are a style | | | | has been the subject of controversy for a long |
| of boot that is made from sheepskin with a wool | | | | time. What basically started out as a house shoe |
| lining. They are popular with women and men, but | | | | in Australia has taken on an entirely new look as |
| mainly with teenagers. | | | | consumers search for boots that have the Ugg |
| The original Ugg footwear was made in Australia. | | | | name. |
| The people wore them around the home because | | | | A simple farmer's market venture has escalated |
| they were so comfortable and easy to slip on. | | | | into a worldwide market for Ugg boots. The |
| When World Wars I and II pilots began wearing | | | | McDougall's, who live in Australia, ventured into a |
| them, they became tremendously popular among | | | | family business called 'Uggs-n-Rugs' over 26 years |
| pilots. They wore them as a way of keeping | | | | ago. Taking them to the local farmer's market |
| warm because the planes they flew were not | | | | and then graduating to the internet, where sales |
| pressurized, which resulted in really cold | | | | were good, the Uggs were about to change. |
| temperatures. | | | | All of a sudden in America, celebrities started |
| These pilots dubbed the boots "fug" which was | | | | wearing a version of the boots, which were made |
| taken to mean flying ugg. No matter what they | | | | by Deckers. Such names as Brad Pitt, Oprah |
| called them, the result was that they were cozy | | | | Winfrey, and Madonna were seen wearing them, |
| in these boots. Sheepskin is a perfect way to | | | | which increased popularity and the search for this |
| keep your feet warm without causing them to | | | | type of boot. |
| sweat. They work similar to a thermostat by | | | | As will happen when celebrities wear something, a |
| providing more warmth when needed and less | | | | new fashion trend was about to explode as |
| when it is not. That is one reason they are | | | | teenage girls and boys alike started searching the |
| recommended to be worn without socks. For this | | | | internet for Ugg footwear. So essentially what |
| reason, water sports enthusiasts, including surfing | | | | used to be nothing more than a hyped up sock, |
| and competition swimmers, also wear them. | | | | has taken off as a best-selling boot. They are |
| Ugg boots became more popular in the 1960's | | | | now made with embroidery, lace and in many |
| when Australian surfers started making their own | | | | different pastel versions of the original boot. |
| boots for warmth when they were not in the | | | | The great thing about the look that these boots |
| water. They added a soft sole and resembled an | | | | provide is they can be worn with jeans or they |
| insulted sock. That is where the name Ugg is | | | | look great with a skirt. That is why the popularity |
| thought to have come from. The appearance of | | | | is not just limited to teenagers. Other age groups |
| the boots was ugly. | | | | have decided they like this boot as well. The Ugg |
| In Australia Ugg is not considered a brand name. | | | | boots have really come a long way from the |
| It is merely a term meaning sheepskin boot. This | | | | slipper that started the whole craze. |