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The history of Ugg boots goes back to World War I when aviators wore them, as due to their great insulation properties they were perfect to keep their tootsies warm. In Australia, they have been worn by sheep shearers for many decades: since the middle of the twentieth century ? the terms ugg boots, ugh boots and ug boots are the generic term in Oz for sheepskin boots. The name comes from 'ugly' boots which is thought to have been started by Australian surfers who started wearing the boots to keep their feet warm after coming out of the water in the 1960s. The popularity of sheepskin ugg boots spread from the west to the east coast of Australia and it was quickly realised that they were just as practical and comfortable to wear in ski resorts as they were on sandy beaches. The trend spread to Californian surfers in 1978 when Brian Smith a young surfer from Australia took a trip to the United States with some sheepskin boots. By the 1970s Californians were completely enamoured with the Ugg, who also appreciated the warmth that the wool lining the boots give, and they quickly became a cult fashion item in LA. It was surfers who made them the iconic boots that they are today ? they had a resurgence in popularity in 2003 and have remained popular ever since. How did they become so popular? Deckers Outdoor Corporation acquired Ugg Boots in 1995 and in 1998 made them a high-end luxury brand, through a premium distribution strategy and marketing. In 2000, Oprah Winfrey, Americas most powerful and popular presenter was sent a pair of Uggs and she loved them so much that she bought 350 pairs for her staff. She featured the Ultra Ugg Boot on her 'Oprah's Favourite Things' slot, which gave the boots a massive endorsement ? probably the best that Uggs could have gotten. She did the same thing again in 2003 and 2005 with the Classic Boots and the Uptown Boots, and they both immediately became a 'must have' item for Americans. Uggs became a the 'Brand of the year' in 2003 by Footwear News and from then on the sheepskin boots were to be found on the runways in Paris, New York and Milan. High fashion and ultra comfort all rolled into one! Today, all over the world, everyone from your next door neighbour to celebrities wear Uggs, with everything from trousers to shorts and skirts! There are many different manufacturers of Ugg boots - along with Decker's Original UGG Australia boots, there are a wide variety of other sheepskin boots available for sale, for example Celtic Sheepskin (who manufacture their boots in the UK), Love from Australia and Koolaburra. Make sure to buy your Uggs from a reputable dealer - the best quality Ugg boots are made with 100% merino sheepskin. Imitations and look-alikes are available but they don't have the properties of real sheepskin Ugg boots and won't last as long or perform as well as the real thing. View the latest designer Shoes from www.shoestore.me.uk
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