Maybe it’s the nine inches of snow on the ground. Maybe it’s the fact that my dog’s post-surgery leg kinda resembles a little bootie. Or maybe it’s the darn online shopping articles that I’ve encountered this week.
But I feel compelled to speak out against a product today.
That product? Uggs.
That’s right. The celebrity favorite. Worn in every kind of weather, on every coast. A brand that has almost lost its trademark because people throw the name around with the same regularity of ‘Kleenex’ and ‘Xerox.’
But I have to go on record here. In the beginning , I craved Uggs. Had to have Uggs. Asked for Uggs for Christmas and was lucky enough to receive Uggs.
I wore my Uggs for less than one winter season, and my classic, beautiful, expensive Uggs developed a hole — not in the bottom where you might expect it — but in the top of the toe. That one-of-a-kind, special Australian leather crapped out in just a few months.
Damn Uggs.
I replaced them with a pair of L. L. Bean knock-offs. That pair was less than half the price and lasted for years. In fact, I only replaced it this year because I wanted more colors.
This year, I got two pairs. These knock-off Uggs are made by Lamo — that’s right — Lamo. The name is ridiculous, but they are comfortable and durable and come in all kinds of colors…and cost me $30.
So, if you think you NEED a pair of Uggs for Christmas this year, remember my cautionary tale. The brand name is simply that — a name. The companies that have followed have not just copied the design.
They’ve made it better.
I read this when you posted it and liked it. After more than a foot of snow and Arctic temperature blasts I’m writing to tell you just how right you are.
On an impulse I bought a pair of Uggs knockoffs on the sale rack of some discount shoe place last spring. What the heck– they were only $24.95. I was thrilled when I rediscovered them in the back of my closet this winter. They are great. I get compliments on my “Uggs” every time I wear them. Best of all I have no problem slogging through big slushy, yucky puddles and piles of snow in them. If I’d spent the $300 on a pair of Uggs I’d probably be side-stepping everything in sight.