From the early 2000s to trends today, UGGs have always been prominent. They are the go-to shoe when there is a slight chill in the air no matter what year it is. I remember going to elementary and middle school and seeing every girl with a pair on, and it’s the same when I go to class as a second-year in college. I even remember wearing my own pair of UGGs, which were dark blue with bows on the back. It didn’t even matter if they really went with the outfit you had on – if you had UGGs, you wore them.
In the early 2000s, all major celebrities were seen and photographed wearing them, including Kate Moss, the Olsen twins, Paris Hilton and Kate Hudson, according to a 2017 article written by Vogue magazine. Back then, the older girls would wear them with pleated skirts and polo shirts, just to look classy. When I went to school, the other girls in my class would wear them with absolutely anything: leggings and a sweatshirt, skinny jeans and baggy jeans tucked into the boots. It didn’t really matter what you wore because UGGs were the outfit.
When I got to high school, from 2018-2022, I personally saw a decrease in the trend. It seemed like UGGs had been put to rest. I gave away my blue boots with bows when I saw my friends doing the same. My mom would show me pictures of outfits I wore with them just to show how badly they went together. At least for my high school, that was the time for Converse Chuck 70s, Doc Martens and Vans.
And now, in college, years after the initial movement of UGGs, they’re back. I don’t personally own a pair of them, but I can count at least a quarter of the people in each of my classes wearing them. I have seen a lot of people with platform UGGs, and the majority of them are the “minis.” They are practically the same as the normal boot, but they only go up to above the ankle. I’ve seen them worn with baggy jeans, regular leggings and flared leggings, which is my personal favorite way of styling them. I like seeing them with outfits that are a mix between loungewear and casual, for example with flared leggings and a sweater.
The UGG resurgence started back in September of 2022, according to a 2023 article written by Vogue magazine. What sparked the trend was when Bella Hadid was spotted walking around with the platform UGG minis. Hadid has started a few trends herself, and this one I don’t see as any different.
Based on my personal experience, I think they’re super cute but I don’t see myself buying a new pair of UGGs. They just aren’t practical for me. A lot of my shoes are ones that I don’t want to worry about getting dirty or ruined; I mainly own a few pairs of sneakers that are easily cleanable. Every person I know who has UGGs follows a very strict rule of never wearing them when there is a possibility of them getting wet, and if a drop happens to spill on them, the boots immediately stain. The brand does offer a spray that you can put on them to make them “waterproof,” which I suppose is helpful. For anyone who does love UGGs, keep wearing them and loving them. For all I know, my opinion might change and in a short amount of time I’ll be clicking that “order now” button.
“I like UGGs, they keep your feet warm in the winter and they look good,” second-year Emily Raleigh said. “However, I feel like there’s limited wearability throughout the year. The price is a little too much for that.”
I don’t think UGG has to worry about their shoes coming out of style, unlike other brands such as Crocs. Especially based on the 20-year span of these shoes being popular, I think that it is safe to say that they will be creating timeless and trendy new shoes that will continue to be all the rage in the future.