Faux Pas Fix with Anne Zeumer: Ugg(h) Alternatives

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Faux Pas Fix with Anne Zeumer - Every month in Arts and Lifestyle

By Anne Zeumer

Staff Writer

You see them with denim miniskirts. You see them with flared leg Ambercrombie jeans awkwardly crammed into them. You see them, and you wish you didn't. At least I do. The "them" that I'm referring to, are Ugg boots. Ugg's made quite a splash when they were first "discovered" on the feet of celebrities three or four years ago. Since then, it seems, girls either haven't realized that the phenomenon is moot, or they're just trying to "get some use" out of the shearling boots they spent a cute penny on back in the day. Regardless of the justification, Uggs are not in. Boots are in, just not Ugg ones. Boots with wedged heels, boots with foldover tops, hell, cowboy boots are in, worn correctly. 

My major qualm with the Ugg trend is not completely the boots themselves, it's partially what they are worn with. Uggs and denim miniskirts, especially in the summer, are something I just never understood. They are shearling boots, meant to keep your feet warm. If it's 75 degrees out and your feet are cold, maybe you need to look into seeing a medical professional, not just a pair of cozy boots. It just doesn't look right. If your jeans can comfortably fit OVER your boots, take it as a sign that they probably aren't meant to be tucked into them. Nothing looks worse than jeans stuffed into boots, puffing out on the top. If you really wanted to wear boots over your jeans, buy slim cut jeans that will actually fit into the boots without a struggle that may or may not involve duct tape. Tan Uggs with black leggings, a jean skirt, and a faux-vintage paper thin A+F/Hollister tee is not an outfit. Rather, it is 4 different outfits combined. There is no uniformity there, in color, style, or texture. Pick one thing and stick with it. If you try and combine everything you like, it's like putting ice cream on pizza with a side of chinese food --- you're probably going to be sick.

"But if I don't wear my Uggs, what will I wear!?" Relax. You can go to virtually any store that sells shoes at this point and find something that you like. Right now, wedge heels are the it thing. They've got stacked wedge heels, gum wedge heels, whatever you can think of. If wedges aren't your thing, opt for a nice flat, slouchy pair. Try and stay away from boots with enough buckles to secure a bungee jumper. Buckles and accents like that are nice, but are very quickly overdone. If warmth is your concern, you can certainly find warm, and waterproof, (something that I don't believe Uggs are), boots without looking like a mess of baby blue dead lamb.

I'm sure my exclamations against the Ugg movement will be ill-received by most girls on campus, but I think it's necessary. Something must be said. And honestly, set yourself apart. In the winter you see fifty million other girls wearing the exact same boots as you, likely in the exact same way.  How can that make you feel? Do you feel like you're part of something special? Or do you feel like you're a part of a herd? (Of lamb?) My philosophy is that any time "everybody" is doing something, it needs to be re-evaluated. A professor of mine once wisely quipped, "The masses are asses." The call to individuality is weathered and worn, I know, but if it wasn't entirely necessary, I wouldn't be dragging it out. So donate your Uggs to a little sister, cousin, friend, or stuff them in your closet, and go out and find some fresh boots to carry you through the chill.