It’s likely you have a pair of UGG boots in your closet, and just as likely, they’re probably not the Australian-made shoes you think they are. Leather, fur-lined boots have a history that goes back centuries, but the kind we wear today got their start in Australian surfing culture. Dubbed “uggs” — an Australian slang term — the shoes were first regularly worn by surfers in the 1950s to keep their feet warm. Of course, when you hear the term in the U.S., you likely think of the trendy footwear as being ideal for winter. The UGG company’s brown boots first became a sensation in the early 2000s, with everyone from suburban moms to celebrities touting their Australian-made boots with authentic sheepskin fabrics and cloud-like linings. Since then, various UGG styles have made a comeback, thanks to Gen Z fashion fans. However, many shoppers are now discovering that the shoes they’ve been wearing for decades aren’t actually made in Australia. UGG Since 1974 is an Australia-based company that handcrafts its products. In 1978, a competitor named UGG rose alongside them in the United States. The fact that two major UGG brands exist is no secret. Both deny any connection to the other. Unfortunately, consumers have been unaware of the similar yet different brands, which has led to a lot of confusion. As for how the brands differ, it all comes down to how (and where) the shoes are made. UGG Since 1974 says its shoes are handmade, while UGG in the United States mass-produces its products in countries like China, Vietnam and the Philippines. So, maybe you own UGGs, UGG Since 1974, or another dupe entirely. Whatever you’ve got on your feet, the shoes likely have a deep, complicated history that’s enough to make you say “ugh."
