Ugg has released some iconic footwear silhouettes over the brand’s lengthy history thus far.
The lifestyle brand was founded in Southern California in 1978 by Australian surfer Brian Smith and Doug Jensen. The brand experienced popularity in the 2000s, quickly becoming a staple of many celebrities’ wardrobes, including Paris Hilton, Beyoncé and Kate Moss. Today, Ugg is enjoying a resurgence in popularity, seen on the proverbial “it-girls” of our time like Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner and Elsa Hosk.
The brand is best known for its sheepskin boots. However, they stock a wide range of styles that have also amassed a cult following. From slippers to slides, Tasman to Ultra Mini, here is a rounded list of some of Ugg’s most iconic footwear styles.
There wouldn’t be a list of some of the best Ugg silhouettes without the style that made the brand famous. The Classic Short II is a footwear style with longevity, beloved by just about everyone, thanks to its comfort and style. The boot we know today is crafted of plush sheepskin accompanied by a durable, ultra-lightweight sole to increase cushioning and traction. Retailing for $180, the footwear comes in a range of colorways, including the classic “Chestnut” and more vibrant “Forest Night” and “Shell” styles.
Before Ugg founders Smith and Jensen popularized the style, the footwear was worn by sheep shearers in the early 1920s because they were resistant to wool yolk, which was known to rot ordinary boots.
In the ’70s, the boot became popular amongst professional surfers in Australia. It became a sign of rebellion for the youth in Australia, embracing a go-with-the-flow relaxed lifestyle. Smith and Jensen decided to manufacture the boot style under a specific name, Ugg, capitalizing on the footwear’s popularity in Australia. In 1978, the Ugg brand was born. In 1994, under founders Jensen and Smith, the boots picked up significant traction when the U.S. Winter Olympic team wore them. A year later, Smith sold the business to Deckers Brands.
The boot peaked in popularity in the 2000s. In 2003, Oprah Winfrey included the boot on her famed “Oprah’s Favorite Things” list, sending the style into the stratosphere. Big celebrities during that time, like Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, Beyonce, Paris Hilton and Kate Upton, were seen adopting the cozy boot, making them mainstream.
With the rising popularity of Balletcore, a microtrend inspired by all things ballet, Ugg’s Bailey Bow II boot has made a splash. Released on June 1, 2021, the back of the Bailey Bow II boot is fitted with satin bows, offering the silhouette a dainty quality.
Retailing for $200, the bow-embellished style comes in a variety of colorways, including “Gray,” “Heathered Lilac,” “Mustard Seed,” “Eve Blue,” “Caribou” and “Black.” The Bailey Bow also comes in Mini and Tall styles, retailing for $170 and $240, respectively.
Made with Ugg’s ultra-soft sheepskin, the boot is so great because it can be worn with anything from athleisure to flowy dresses, making them a perfect addition to any wardrobe.
The Tasman has taken over 2023. The low-top slippers are a cozy on-the-go style worn by just about everyone this year, including top tastemakers like Bella Hadid, Gigi Hadid and Lily-Rose Depp.
Originally comprised of supple suede uppers and the same ultra-lightweight, durable outsole as our Classic Boot, the Tasman retails for $110. Colorways include “Dark Gray,” “Black,” “Burnt Olive,” “Pink Glow,” “Chestnut” and “Sand Tnl.”
The footwear also features a signature embroidered braid and an easy slip-on silhouette. The outsoles of the Tasman are either made of SugarSole, which is a responsible compound using sugarcane foam that allows us to reduce dependency on fossil fuels by replacing petroleum-based ethylene, or a Treadlite by Ugg.
Ugg has created many variations on its Tasman style over the years, including a leather style, Regenerate, which is crafted of materials that originate from farms that practice regenerative agriculture, Tasman X, made of weather-resistant foam, and the Shroud Zip, made of water-resistant coated canvas.
Small but mighty, the Ultra Mini shoe retails for $150 and comes in a variety of colorways, including “Moss Green,” “Burnt Cedar,” “Sage Blossom” and “Antilope” among others. The boot was released in 2020 and has garnered a large following.
The Ultra Mini features a lower shaft height, adding easy on-off and enhanced versatility. The sheepskin uppers of the boot style are pre-treated to keep the footwear looking better for longer. The Ultra Mini also includes a flexible, ultra-lightweight sole.
The Ultra Mini also has a lofty platform style, lifting the wearer to new heights. The height of its platform sole is 2 inches. The Ultra Mini Platform retails for $160 and comes in colors like “Pearfect,” “Samba Red” and “Black.” Both the platform and non-platform styles have been seen on the likes of Cardi B, Bella Hadid, Keke Palmer, Irina Shayk and Emily Ratajkowski, among others.
Retailing for $280, the Sweater Letter Tall comes in “Chestnut” and “Black” colorways. The footwear is part cozy legging and part boot, crafted of soft cable knit and suede topped with equally plush Ugg logo detailing. The knitted portion of the boot travels up the leg 23 inches. The platform outsoles are made from SugarSole, crafted from renewable, rainwater-nourished sugarcane.
The boot-meets-legwarmer style makes for the perfect addition to any wardrobe, especially during the colder fall and winter seasons.
The Chillapeak is a bold remix of the brand’s classic boot. The style includes quilted suede uppers and plush fur trim that round the entire boot, enveloping it in a cozy appearance. Retailing for $250, the classic boot comes in “Burnt Cedar” and “Chestnut” colorways with coordinating real fur trim taken off sheep or lambs. Additionally, the footwear includes leg-lengthening platform soles along with rear pull tabs, mudguards made of 100% recycled polyester and textural suede-wrapped midsoles.
The Chillapeak also comes in Tall and Shine styles. The Chillapeak Tall retails for $280 and includes many of the same facets its classic counterpart has, except it travels further up the leg. The ankle-length Chillapeak Shine retails for $250 and includes high-shine black uppers that set the style apart from its matt mates. The fur trim offers the boot an air of sophistication, bringing a luxurious touch to the beloved Ugg silhouette.
Ugg isn’t just known for its boots. The brand also carries the popular slip-on Cottage Clog. Retailing for $130, the casual clog comes in “Chestnut,” “Black” and “Cherry Pie” colorways, offering fans of the footwear brand both neutral and more vibrant choices.
The clog is wrapped in plush suede from the upper to the sole and includes ultra-cozy cushioned lining and insoles crafted from the brand’s patent UGGplush upcycled wool blend material so your feet can stay warm no matter the weather.
Additionally, the footbed of the clog is crafted of foam, while the outsole is fitted with a slight platform that offers the wearer a subtle lift. The outsoles are also crafted of textured rubber, giving the silhouette a non-slip feel. The style is worn by celebrities and nurses alike thanks to its lack of laces, style and comfort.
Beyond boots, Ugg makes boat shoes. The women’s Dakota retails for $110 and comes in “Black,” “Chestnut,” “Burnt Cedar,” “Lilac Mauve” and “Pewter.” The footwear style also comes in a range of kids sizes, retailing for only $80 in the “Chestnut” colorway. Another best-selling style for Ugg, the Dakota is crafted of soft wool and fitted with leather lace-up closures and rubber soles, making them perfect for both indoor and outdoor wear. What’s more? The Dakota is made to be water-resistant, so you can slip them on no matter the climate.
Ugg has many slipper silhouettes to choose from but this one boasts a classic silhouette that is beloved by all ages.
Amina Ayoud is an Assistant Digital Editor for Footwear News, where she writes stories about everything from celebrity style to breaking fashion and shoe releases. Ayoud cultivated a love of all things fashion early in life thanks to a deep love of fashion history and the luxury industry. In her free time, Ayoud is a self-proclaimed fashion nerd and thriftaholic.
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