Speaking of boots with metal studs, they’re perfect for stomping on black ice, right? The only problem is that unless you’re wearing at least five pairs of thick socks, you’re more likely to slip and fall because you can’t feel your feet at all.
Why not take a page out of Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Lawrence, Chloe Sevigny and Selena Gomez’s books, and instead choose a pair of comforting, although quite unattractive, Ugg boots? Originally intended as indoor slippers, these sheepskin moccasins became a staple in women’s everyday wardrobes in the 2000s and were a common sight on the campuses of many red-brick universities throughout the country for a while.
At the start of the movie, the character Romy is seen wearing her boots to work before changing into high heels. There’s been a significant increase in customers searching for “Ugg” on the NET-A-PORTER website. The number of searches rose by 420% in the last 3 months. Similarly, searches for shearling boots grew by 821% on the website within the same time period.
A sneaker and loafer hybrid dad shoe sold out after its debut at Paris Fashion Week. Also, Sneex, a heeled sneaker created by Spanx founder Sara Blakely, gained popularity after actress Jane Fonda praised their orthopedic benefits on Instagram. Screnings of the Sneex include Reese Witherspoon and Kathy Bates, with the latter even wearing them to the Golden Globes.
Seen on celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence and Dua Lipa, we also can’t forget the rapid ascent of trainers – what were once considered unfashionable on women are now at the forefront of style.
Ugly shoes have been around for most of this century, according to stylist Alexandra Fullerton. “There’s always some version of something clunky, chunky, and unusual if you look closely”, she says. “There’s always a brand or designer that’s taking risks and creating something that lets the wearer feel more carefree about what others think. I think people are choosing ugly shoes less for their design potential (many are quite restrictive) but more because they send a message saying, ‘I don’t care what you think of me – or my shoe choices.’
She thinks many people like Ugg boots because they are comfortable and give a laid-back look. “They’re great for pairing with more feminine clothes, like a pretty sundress,” she says. “The contrast between a clashing style, like a dress and boots, makes the whole look feel more modern and on-trend.”
Another Ugg fan, jewelry publicist Rosie Lillis, says she first started wearing hers during the 2000s and hasn’t taken them off since. “They were glued to me while I was pregnant and I now wear them with a nightgown when I’m chasing my wild kids around the kitchen or at work with a pair of jeans and a cashmere sweater,” she says. “They’re also incredibly durable and can withstand almost anything you throw at them – from gravy to red wine to baby throw-up. I clean mine with a bit of soap and water and they always come out looking great.”
According to Reuters, Ugg sales exceeded expectations by 14 percent in 2024, with parent company Deckers reporting that retailers like Nordstrom, a major US department store, saw a surge in demand. Now that the trend for Uggs shows no sign of slowing down in 2025, perhaps it’s time to find out what all the commotion is about these ugly shoes.
