Over the years, the brand of shoes, “UGGs,” has become an incredibly popular fashion trend for young girls and even adult women. In fact, many students at Wilmington Friends wear these comfortable shoes. The Australia-based company started in 1978 and worked its way to California, eventually expanding to the rest of the United States. Now, in 2014, magazines such as Vogue and O have featured the comfort-based shoe with a thick exterior of sheepskin. They have even expanded and now offer men’s footwear as well. UGG sales began rapidly increasing in 2003 and 2004, and the company has experienced an increase in sales every year since. In 2009, UGG sales grossed nearly 712 million dollars. In the past couple of years, sales have included many repeat customers. The company has managed to come out with different styles, colors, and patterns almost every year. These include tall, medium, and short heights. Colors vary from pastels to tan, chestnut, and chocolate, to even neon colors. Styles include bows, buttons, sequins, knitted, and more. Not everyone enjoys the styles though, and some controversy exists surrounding the boots. Upper School math teacher Amy Bailey said, “I just think they are ugly!”

Recently, many people have discussed how animals are killed for the fur in the shoes. UGG shoes include both sheepskin and sheep fur. In recent years, various celebrities and animal right activists, including Pamela Anderson, have organized and arranged boycotts of the brand. Videos now circle the internet, showing the ways in which the sheep are killed to remove their skin. Animal rights organizations like PETA instead encourage people to purchase boots made from synthetic material. The Princeton Animal Welfare Society has focused its attention on raising awareness to the danger in supporting UGGs.

Many people have mixed feelings about the style and comfort level of UGGs. Izzy Martelli-Raben ‘15 says, “UGGs are my go-to winter shoe because they always keep my feet warm.” People feel this way because of the fleece interior. Although many teenage girls enjoy the comfort of the shoes, some people do not enjoy the shape of them. UGGs do not have any laces or straps, and they are sculpted into a rounded shape at the toe. In addition, some people find the flat bottom shape to be painful. Louisa Spinner ‘18 says, “They do not have support, and I have a big arch to my foot, so sometimes it hurts my Achilles tendon.” The Center for Podiatric Care and Sports Medicine has started making custom orthotics especially for UGGs in order to protect people’s arches. The Center has also expressed concern about feet sweating throughout the day and fungi building due to the moisture, so they continue working to prevent that too.

Controversy also surrounds the steep price of UGGs. Celebrities such as Cameron Diaz, Kate Upton, and Blake Lively have all been spotted sporting the trend, making it that much more desirable. Quarterback, Tom Brady, has also become a major sponsor. The classic tall UGG used to be priced at $140, but has jumped to $195. The classic short UGG, formerly priced at $120, recently increased to $155. Hana Arai ‘15 says, “Personally I love UGGs, but they are expensive, like $155 for a pair of shoes? I could literally tape fake fur into my sneakers for $5.” Companies such as BEARCLAW and Adi designs have created shoes that resemble UGGs almost exactly, but for a lower price. From a distance it is definitely hard to spot real UGGs from fake UGGs. The coveted UGGs logo can often serve as the only indicator.

Clearly much dispute exists surrounding the brand of shoes, UGGs. Controversy has circled the business for quite some time. Regardless, when winter arrives countless numbers of people will sport the popular shoe. Ultimately, whether you love UGGs or absolutely can’t stand them, they seem to be a fashion statement that won’t disappear anytime soon.