Beauty Without Fuss

Sunday 29 January 2012

In defence of Uggs

I'm a bit of a magpie, and when Mr Lippie and I were passing the Ugg shop at Westfield yesterday, I got sucked in by some shiny sequinned "trainers" in violet with aurora borealis sequins.  It was whilst I was cooing over them, that Mr Lippie spotted these:


And, well, they came home with us, and I'm wearing them RIGHT NOW.

I love them.  They're warm, soft and comfortable, thanks to the sheepskin lining:


They're like wandering around on little pillowy clouds of ... er ... sheep. They come up small though, thanks to the lining, so I had to go up a size and a half (I'm normally a 4.5 or a 5, depending, but I ended up buying them in size 6.5 to make room for my toes - which cannot be squashed under any circumstances)  I bought the black because they're practical - no, really, I'll be wearing these to the office tomorrow, I guarantee it  - but I have to warn you that these will soon be mine too:




 Purple shoes!

I tweeted about buying Uggs yesterday, and I've never been so astonished by a reaction on Twitter, to what was (for me) a fairly innocuous tweet!  Plus, I was kind of disgusted by the reaction of a couple of people who came across quite unintentionally (I suspect) as snobby asshats. Even those ones who thought they were being amusing annoyed the crap out of me.  I don't judge people by what they wear, and for people to judge other people ONLY by what they wear makes me sick, and it always has done.  There, that's my career as a fashion blogger over before it has begun ... 

Anyway, I have Mortons Neuroma in both feet, a condition which means flat shoes are a way of life for me, and always will be.  The nerves in the balls of my feet, and between my toes, are enlarged, and on days when they're really flaring up, it can feel like I have marbles implanted under the skin, and walking on days like that is no fun, believe you me.  My feet ache almost constantly, even on good days, so, when I find comfortable shoes that don't pinch my feet, and protect my soles from the pavement, I tend to snap them up, and bugger the label.  I'd buy shoes made by Stalin if they had thick but reasonably soft soles and didn't squash my toes together.  I've suffered with this problem on and off for about 15 years, but the problem only really got unbearable after doing a full marathon for the Moonwalk a few years ago.  I haven't worn heels from that day to this.

It's not like I'm running around in these in a mini-skirt and fake tan, for crying out loud.  It's surprisingly difficult to find flat shoes that aren't thin-soled or intended for six year old going to a birthday party (I will NOT buy shoes with bows or flowers - though, judging by my love of these, I'm obviously not averse to a bit of bling) and buying shoes is the one thing on earth that is guaranteed to have me in tears of frustration within about an hour. Shoe-buying saps my soul, and being judged for shopping decisions I have to make, rather than choose to make is bloody annoying.

So, in a nutshell, I've just paid £125 for a pair of sheepskin-lined trainers that I adore and then I've spent 600 or so words on the internet trying to justify my life decisions to a bunch of people on twitter.  :sigh:

I own a pair of Crocs too - there, I said it. Get stuffed, haters. 

The Fine Print:  I bought these - well technically, I split the cost of them with MrLippie, he's nice like that - I'm not affiliated with Uggs.  They'll probably kill me when they read this. 

PS All images shameless stolen from Ugg themselves.


This post originated at: http://getlippie.com All rights reserved.
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39 comments

  1. I have just bought a pair of Uggs, always been a hater, till I tried them on a died! Heaven!

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  2. Haha great post, not an Ugg fan myself but these are lovely.

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  3. WOW! I am going to rush and buy some now!! Thanks for this post
    Stacey x

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  4. Forget the haters. Nobody knows what each person has to live/deal with, so it's ignorance on their part. Good for you, getting that "off your chest" so to speak. Wear them proudly and hopefully comfortably, too. The sequins are excellent. I vote YES for the purple pair too. Who cares the brand? Comfort + sequins. Sorry folks, but that's fair game! :)

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  5. How could anyone ever hate Uggs? Clearly haters haven't tried them on. I wear Uggs in Winter and Crocs (I own four pairs in various styles) in Summer. Haters gon' hate.

    http://boscy.blogspot.com

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  6. Nothing wrong with UGGs - you need to wear what makes your feet happy and those are some lovely shiny blinging uggs.

    I have some indoors UGG slippers (currently on feet) and about a month ago I (shock horror gasp and vomit) bought a pair of black sheepskin uggs to wear outside as I tried them on and they were to comfortable to put back on shelf.

    We should be able to wear what we want without stupid narrow minded snobbery cast upon us.

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    1. It was being condescended to that really grated. No matter, I've been deeply cheered by the reaction today!

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  7. I heart my uggs/emus/whoogas - since I broke my ankle they are probably the only things that I well and truly feel comfortable in - I love your sparkly trainers :) and shoes with flowers and bows on - can't believe people are so snotty about footwear if people want to live in high heels, have sore feet and develop bunions later in life than thats fine I love heels and wish I could wear them but I can't - comfy shoes are the way to go x

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  8. I'm a huge believer that "fashions" are only suitable for the people it looks good on and who genuinely like them, and they aren't going to be for everyone. Fine if someone doesn't like a pair of shoes, or whatever, but I really don't think it was necessary to make a fuss about it.

    You shouldn't have had to explain yourself, that's for sure!

    PS - As a past Ugg hater, who has now discovered how warm they are, I actually think these trainers look cute ;)

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    1. They ARE cute! And comfy. Wish more brands would realise that comfort is massively important to a huge sector of the community.

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  9. Haha, well said. :P My Mum has the same kinda thing as you..she has flat feet and the balls of her feets stick out and she can't wear heels etc. (can't remeber what it's called)!
    I don't own UGGS because they're expensive and no one will buy them for me - hint hint Dad! And my Mum thinks they are bad for my feet as they don't have much support, and she doesn't want me to end up like her! So instead I have Crocs...as does the whole family! Haha, big but comfy fashion faux pas.. ;)

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    1. I love my Crocs too. They make some really nice styles, if you avoid the ubiquitous (and, yes, vile) clog-style ones!

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  10. I have long considered Uggs the ugliest footwear on the planet. Then I put my feet into a pair. My feet are in constant pain from psoriatic rheumatoid arthritis and in Ugg boots they have never been so warm & comfortable. And isn't it hard to find flat shows with a thick sole, no one gets that do they? I don't judge and nor do I expect to be judged, until you have walked on feet that feel as if every bone in them is broken you have no concept of how dreadful foot pain is, if you don't like how it looks stick your nose back into your copy of InStyle and leave me the hell alone. Your trainers are insane and I completely love them!

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    1. I love them too - and you're completely right about the no one does thick soled flat shoes thing - it's so disheartening to see shoes that *almost* work, but you know inside of an hour they'd have you in tears.

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  11. A post about Uggs - I fully expected to see pics of the boots that sadly I just can't warm to myself - but these are gorgeous - I agree - you have to have those purple ones. I've got some cheap spangly trainers that I love and even with extra insoles in they're hard going on my feet. Crocs were a huge revelation of comfort to me – I need plenty of spring in my shoes because I’m so heavy on them and since having kids my feet superheat very quickly driving me mad if I can’t get them off quick – crocs were the answers to my prayers. Not glamorous, but so what! If you can do heals or the flattest flats, lucky you, but please don’t judge those of us who can’t. x

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  12. Firstly I think these are fab! If I had any spare cash I might go shopping myself. I love gorgeous, high heeled shoes but can only wear them for very short periods and tend to live in my ugg-esque celtic sheepskin boots or running shoes. The absolute hatred people have for Uggs is a bit alien to me; I think people need to learn to put up and shut up!

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    Replies
    1. To each his own, is my motto - wish more people lived by it!

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  13. Well done for finding a comfortable pair of shoes. I recall last year many of your tweets were agonising over the pain in your feet so it is good to hear this news.
    I wear trainers to work and get the 'up and down' look from people occasionally, I don't care, my back is in frequent pain from carrying my kit, so to ease the pain they are the best thing for me, practical wins every time. I often hail the Fashion Police to try to arrest me, it hasn't happened yet!
    Good call for posting this but shame it even has to be said in the first place! x

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  14. SO glad you have found a pair of shoes. I recall your agonising tweets last year about your feet so this is good news indeed!
    I often get the 'up and down' look from wearing trainers, who cares?
    Well done on your post, it is a shame that you even had to write it, there are some rotten people out there! Best of luck x

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  15. I know you shouldn't judge people by what they choose to wear...but I can't help thinking people who wear vertiginous heels are crazy to put fashion above comfort. And what's with wearing shoes you can't run in? Yet another example of how women conspire in their own oppression.

    Anyway, feminist rant over. Have you tried Fitflops? I find them much better than Crocs and they are more cushioning than Uggs (and a bt cheaper too. They have some nice purpley sneakers at the moment too.

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    1. I have some black fitflop trainers, and this winter I have *lived* in them! I love them, but they look a little ... orthopedic ... in comparison to these! Last summer I lived in Skechers, which were also a bit ... unstylish, but my feet loved them!

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  16. Oh they are gorgeous! I'd love a pair of those. A cosy pair of Converse like shoes are right up my street. If we're going to get judged on Twitter about our fashion choices, I may have to go on a more permanent Twitter blackout!!

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  17. I'm not a fan of uggs myself but your choice likes n dislikes are yours to do with as you will.

    And stuff anyone who tells you otherwise.

    Ms Red

    xx

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  18. Dear Ms Lippie, just looked at your blog after doing my latest post - about my trip to Westfield yesterday - and am very excited to find you were there too - and I also was in UGG as am longing for a pair of shortie UGG boots ...did you see a tired and slightly deranged looking woman with a 10 year boy and a Hollister bag? That was me! Anyway, your new Uggs look fab and i can't believe other people are so rude - too much time on their hands. Still loving your bloggie!

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  19. There is nothing wrong with wearing what is essentially a big hug on your feet. I bloody love my Uggs. I'm not an 'Ugg princess' and I wouldn't wear them clubbing - or with a tiny miniskirt - but in the f*cking freezing wind I have to walk in to work every morning they are a godsend. Snobs go hang. Thanks for writing :) xxx Amelia

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  20. omg. never seen sequinny trainers before!!! I would love to try them on and assess how tall they feel on the feet. I am only 5ft2, and I always look for trainers which give me a little bit of height

    There is a lot of ugg hate going round, mainly around the boots. Some jokes are funny, but being persecuted for wearing them: there is no need for that. :/ x

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  21. I have such an allergy to Uggs I automatically recoil in horror. That slip-slappy PICK YOUR FEET UP walk that people effect in them, especially even more so in fakes & copies.

    That being said, if people want to wear them, good for them. I don't like how they look or feel but that's for me. I would never stop another from wearing them.

    And, til this post, I had no idea they did trainers. Am glad for you you've found something that works for you.

    And frankly, we should all just wear what we want & stuff the nay-sayers!

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  22. I have Plantar Fasciitis in both feet, due to a career of being in retail for the last 15 years, often standing on my feet for 12 hours a day, which takes its toll! I've gone up 2 shoe sizes in the last few years & my feet have spread. If I do find a pair of normal shoes I can get my feet into, they are usually such sheer agony, I'm screaming with pain within 10 minutes. People who sneer at all styles of a certain brand (no matter what that brand is) are morons.

    Good luck to people who can go in any shop & buy any pretty little pair of fashion shoes they like. I've got my first pair of Emu boots this winter & they are a godsend to walk to & from work in (we are not allowed casual
    shoes or boots at work). I am lusting after those sequined trainers!

    I completely empathise with your pain & frustration with shoe snobs!

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  23. I'll admit, the 'boots slipping over to the side, shuffly feet walk' of the classic UGGs does make me wince. I do like these though, and I feel the pain of finding thick soled flat shoes too (you know I like my Fitflops).

    I like these so much I would probably buy them, but then we would have matching shoes :S

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    1. They have many colours besides the black. We'll just have to have a rota ...

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  24. Good on you! It's a shame that you have to defend yourself. I have two pairs of Ugg boots, first pair bought before the whole craziness - I'm always cold and these boots were perfect. Now, I just can't live without them. I don't care what others think.

    I really like the black pair you have above. New shoe crush!

    x

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  25. I love ugg's okay I sortof feel like I have teddy bear feet in them but they are so comfy and anyone who has a problem with that can do one. x

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  26. I understand where you come from whole heartedly! To be honest I have never been one that looks graceful in heels but when I badly hurt my back 2 years ago I said bye to heels of any height.
    I have a prolapsed disk in my lower back, a fused vertebra, trapped nerves and sciatica so I do not give a furry rats behind about not being fashion forward I just like to be able to walk for more than 5 mins!
    I would love a pair of Uggs I have bought the cheap versions and find these so comfy it's only my hubs hatred of Uggs that I have not given in but to be honest 2012 maybe the year of the Uggs or Emu's for me.

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  27. ha ha ha snobby asshats. I love that. To funny. I haven't seen these here in Australia. They are kind of cute. I haven't had a pair of uggs since i was a child. I kind of miss wiggling my toes in all the soft wool. Perhaps i might get some this winter.

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  28. I love these but sadly my budget won't stretch that far. I live in Fitflops and Skechers but have occasional days away from them and then can't wait to have comfy feet the next day. I totally sympathise with your foot pain as I got really bad pain in my heels before I started to wear shoes with thick cushioned soles, maybe not the most attractive but the comfort makes up for that.

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  29. I was reading this in bed last night pissing myself but couldnt comment on my iphone! So funny! But whatever as long as YOU like them who cares.

    I hate uggs (as my god they really are ugly) but I wear them.. I even have a sequined chav pair. F*ck it! lol!

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  30. Full marks for use of the phrase 'asshat'. Also love love loving those purple sequinned Uggs. Must. Be. Strong.

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  31. I love my uggs too! So feel for you! Once you've had a real pair there's no going back! I've got lots of heeled boots etc. but when I have to do the school run at 7.50am every morning they are all I can bear to wear (have also suffered from planter fascitis since having kids)!

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