The original Ugg footwear was made in Australia. The people wore them around the home because they were so comfortable and easy to slip on. When World Wars I and II pilots began wearing them, they became tremendously popular among pilots. They wore them as a way of keeping warm because the planes they flew were not pressurized, which resulted in really cold temperatures.



These pilots dubbed the boots "fug" which was taken to mean flying ugg. No matter what they called them, the result was that they were cozy in these boots. Sheepskin is a perfect way to keep your feet warm without causing them to sweat. They work similar to a thermostat by providing more warmth when needed and less when it is not. That is one reason they are recommended to be worn without socks. For this reason, water sports enthusiasts, including surfing and competition swimmers, also wear them. 

Ugg boots became more popular in the 1960's when Australian surfers started making their own boots for warmth when they were not in the water. They added a soft sole and resembled an insulted sock. That is where the name Ugg is thought to have come from. The appearance of the boots was ugly.

In Australia Ugg is not considered a brand name. It is merely a term meaning sheepskin boot. This has been the subject of controversy for a long time. What basically started out as a house shoe in Australia has taken on an entirely new look as consumers search for boots that have the Ugg name.

A simple farmer's market venture has escalated into a worldwide market for Ugg boots. The McDougall's, who live in Australia, ventured into a family business called 'Uggs-n-Rugs' over 26 years ago. Taking them to the local farmer's market and then graduating to the internet, where sales were good, the Uggs were about to change.

All of a sudden in America, celebrities started wearing a version of the boots, which were made by Deckers. Such names as Brad Pitt, Oprah Winfrey, and Madonna were seen wearing them, which increased popularity and the search for this type of boot.

As will happen when celebrities wear something, a new fashion trend was about to explode as teenage girls and boys alike started searching the internet for Ugg footwear. So essentially what used to be nothing more than a hyped up sock, has taken off as a best-selling boot. They are now made with embroidery, lace and in many different pastel versions of the original boot.

The great thing about the look that these boots provide is they can be worn with jeans or they look great with a skirt. That is why the popularity is not just limited to teenagers. Other age groups have decided they like this boot as well. The Ugg boots have really come a long way from the slipper that started the whole craze.