FashBlog.com

Not too long ago, I had the job of writing about UGG footwear for a client. In the course of my research, I was surprised to discover that those warm and comfy boots weren’t developed in the middle of some zero degree climate, but in the heat of a sunny day by, of all people, a surfer.

Now, that threw me for a loop. I still haven’t figured out how a person who practically lives in swim trunks (and not much else) would have thought that fleece boots would work in their lifestyle. But he did, and it apparently worked for many of his surfer pals as well. When this gentleman from Australia came to California, he brought several of his designs with him, and the rest is history. Now, I must mention that UGG’s popularity just didn’t weed its way into the mainstream through the surfing community; it was taken into the skiing communities as well (by some of the surfers, actually) and thus received attention in colder temperatures throughout the world.

Unfortunately, there is some debate going on regarding the use of the name, but it is safe to say that the term “UGG”, at one point, was fairly generic, and referred to the boots worn in the Australian outback by farmers who considered them, well, ugly. Who would have thought that an ugly boot to wear out in the mud and muck would become a hot fashion item, with upscale stores demanding high prices for various styles and colors?

To be quite honest, I’m not sure if UGG showed any summer sandals last year, but I see that they now have 5 designs carried by Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom’s at this time, with probably several other stores to sell them soon. When I first heard of an UGG sandal, my immediate thought was that it, too, would be filled with fleece. Since I read that surfers liked fleece for its sweat-absorbing properties, it seemed to make sense. So, one warm day last week, I dug out a pair of my daughter’s fleece lined clogs and put them on without socks. Then, I went outside for a bit. Well, even I, as someone likes the freedom of strappy little shoes for summer, thought that perhaps fleece-lined sandals wouldn’t be so bad after all. My feet were quite dry, and not anywhere near as hot and sticky as I expected. Just when I thought I could live with that, I happened upon an ad with photos.

Actually, the fleece is only on the part of the sandal that covers a person’s instep, at least on the advertised “Gypsy” thong. Slightly disappointed, I checked further…It was the same on the “Tasmina” suede thong model. The “Cannes” leather ankle strap sandal has a band across the toes, which also is fleece lined. None of these 3 designs use fleece anywhere else. However, the “Nomad” slide does have a round pad of fleece positioned for under the wearer’s heel as well as under the instep panel, but it’s hard to determine the Matala sandal’s fleece, if any. Somewhat frustrated, I then went onto the UGG Australia website and finally found something that I thought truly epitomized my idea of an UGG sandal-a typical rubber flip-flop whose sole was completely covered with fluffy sheepskin; in fact, it’s called the Fluffie. At $30, it’s a little pricey to wear around the house, but hey-it’s an UGG. I guess most people think along the same lines, though, because there is a large notice under this model, limiting purchase to no more than 5 per household. (I am again left shaking my head in wonder…) Yet, the mother of all flip flops has to be their Fluff Flip Flop, a standard style totally covered in sheepskin and available in turquoise, pink, lilac, white and black for $74. Now these should be something that should last through many a summer, but I’d never chance wearing them in the sand!

But, for those who want a lot of soft fur under their tootsies, UGGs does have several ladies’ wedges that appear to be fully lined, and of course many casual styles such as moccasins and ballet flats as well. Someday, I would like to own a pair-maybe next winter when I can really get my use out of them.