Ask a Fashion Editor: Is It Ever OK to Wear Uggs?

When winter’s biting winds swoop in and whisper suggestively in our ears, “Put on your Uggs. Just do it,” as a fashion editor, people begin asking me what I think about the long-lasting footwear trend. Which I translate as “Can I pull my stained and stretched-out Uggs from the back of my closet and still wear them in public without looking like I stepped out of an episode of The Simple Life?” To which I *would* like to politely request “Please don’t.” Alas, the answer is more complicated than that, so here’s my ultimate take. 

While most shoes inevitably show wear and tear after a few months of slogging through daily life, I can think of few designs that so blatantly display an accidental romp through a puddle like these fuzz-lined boots. Despite Uggs’ reputation for being able to make it through a snowstorm, the suede is not—by any means—waterproof. Plus, the soft silhouette molds to your foot with every step, meaning these boots not only show every drop of water and splatter of mud but also lose any semblance of structure.

Sure, you might argue “But I waterproofed my tall tan boots!” To which I counter: OK. How often? And have you ever dragged a suede brush along its exterior? In order to keep your Uggs looking fresh and protect them from precipitation, they require a new coat of waterproofing every few months. So unless you’re tending to your boots as often as you get your hair cut, they’re probably not aging well.

Speaking of their formless, unsupportive structure, despite being made of luxe, expensive materials, Uggs are unprofessional. They’re slouchy and disheveled, and for whatever reason they make people walk a certain way. To risk sounding like your mother, whenever I see someone in Uggs, I think, Pick up your feet! Bleh. I get it, the boots are just as comfortable as a pair of slippers, and they put you at such ease that you can’t do anything but drag your heels on the floor as you stroll along. While it might bring you much pleasure and bliss to drag your way through the world, I can assure you it’s beyond irritating to everyone around you. And if you were in the office dragging yourself around from the water cooler to the conference room, I wouldn’t be able to hear anything you said without thinking, But she chose to wear those to the office today.

Does that mean the shearling-lined Australian boots that first came to prominence in the early aughts should be banned from feet for good? Of course not, because there are very few occasions when I would actually encourage wearing Uggs.

Is it around 7 a.m.? Does the windchill register somewhere in the 30s or lower? And does Fido really have to do his business? Then you, my friend, have a hall pass to wear your Uggs every single morning—as long as you bring a doggie bag with you. This particular design of fuzzy footwear was practically designed for making an unpleasant, chilly and completely utilitarian task, such as dog walking, into a more bearable excursion.

The second time it’s acceptable to wear Uggs is when you’re at home, doing all the quotidian tasks necessary to keep your abode looking presentable. You know, vacuuming the floor, doing laundry, cleaning out the fridge, shoving things into the hall closet and praying the door will stay shut. Especially in the winter, they’ll not only keep your feet feeling warm as you tidy, but they’ll stay on and ensure you don’t slip while climbing onto a chair to dust the top of your cabinets (probably for the first time since you moved in two years ago).

Are there other occasions when this footwear gets the green light? Of course, like when you’re sick and headed to the doctor; when you’re running errands that don’t require leaving your car much; when you have a foot injury and can wear no other shoes; or when you need a lightweight pair of boots to throw on after a day of skiing or snowboarding.

If you’re asking my opinion on whether these shoes are considered stylish or a fashion statement? The answer is a resounding nope. But are they still shoes that serve a function and a purpose? Of course. And if they make your life easier when running errands, cozier after a day in too-tight ski boots or more bearable while suffering through the flu, then by all means, wear your Uggs as you please.

But there’s clearly a time and a place for Ugg boots, so if you’re wondering what you should replace your worn-out pair with, consider these suggestions.