Finding Australian Made Ugg Boots

by guestauthor on June 20, 2010

Why is it that finding Ugg Boots in Australia is so difficult? Well, it may be that Australian made ugg boots (note the generic use of the word ‘ugg’ there) are simply better. As we all know, the phenomenon of Ugg boots originated in Australia. It may not be a national claim to fame, but it shows we’re not entirely behind in world fashion at least.

While there are some legal wranglings happening regarding the branding of ugg boots, which may make some stockists reluctant to buy in anything but Australian made ugg boots, they shouldn’t be overly difficult to find. Most K-marts will be able to point you toward their stock. Be aware though, branded Ugg boots are a seasonal item, and searching for them in the height of summer is unlikely to yield results.

The best place to find generic ugg boots is in a tanner or skinner’s market. These can be reasonably easily found in most weekend markets, and you’ will probably find that you will stumble upon some anyway, especially in winter. But what’s so good about Australian made ugg boots? Well, for a start, they’re better made than the American Decker branded ones. The mass-produced processes used to create Ugg boots were not conceived with longevity in mind. Indeed, while the fur is naturally long lasting, the soles and joins are likely to perish within a year if personal experience are anything to go by.

But what exactly is the history behind Australian made ugg boots? Well, the origins are from the first World War, where pilots used them to keep their feet warm in the cold atmosphere. They became popular as a unisex footwear item amongst any aviators who worked in unheated cockpits or holds. After that, their popularity was chiefly amongst surfers and swimmers, things we’re also famous for. The nature of the natural fibres and comfort made them perfect for surfers particularly, and in the 70’s they were brought to the states and sold in abundance to surfers. It seemed that they had made a real impact amongst the surfing community in the US.

Once Decker, a US company, bought the rights to the name, a cease a desist order was placed on Australian manufacturers. Selling non-branded ugg boots with Ugg in the name is now seen as a legal infringement by Decker. The real mcCoys are great quality though, so there’s no great loss. Also, bear in mind just how many fakes there are out there. Of course many will want the comfort and style without the real fur, and that’s admirable, but there are a huge number of forgeries out there that dupe many people looking to buy the brand. The best thing to do if you really want to avoid buying fakes is to buy them from a major outlet. K-mart was one I mentioned earlier, but there are many more on your high street.

Remember, Australian made ugg boots have a real history, and while they may not be national dress, we should be aware that they are a natural and useful piece of clothing for near enough everyone.

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Can You Get Real UGG Boots In Sydney?

by guestauthor on June 1, 2010

Looking for UGG boots in Sydney? If you are, it’s ironic, because as you may or may not know, the global phenomenon of UGG boots comes from Australia. Does this imbue us with a great sense of national pride? Probably not, but what it should mean is that you should be able to pick up the genuine article rather easier than elsewhere in the world. I’m not sure if that’s even true.

So what is an UGG boot? Strangely, if you are visiting, you may think that buying the brand name, UGG in Sydney would be the best thing to do. Perhaps as a gift. This isn’t the case. Certainly in Australia UGG the brand isn’t seen as a quality buy. Most people would look for something from a tannery or skinner when looking for UGG boots in Sydney.

So if you can find a market selling local wollen goods, this would be your best bet. Unfortunately, finding UGG boots in Sydney can be fraught with variable prices. You can pay up to $AU400 for a pair that will be no better, or in some cases worse than a pair that cost $AU100 or less. Obviously it depends on your budget, but just remember that you’re likely to be paying more for less in places like Australiana.

If you absolutely must have the brand UGG, then you may wish to look at some out of town outlet stores, as these will undoubtedly be the best bargains. Given that the brand is now owned by an American company, you will find that it’s far and away cheaper to source UGGs in the US than searching for UGG boots in Sydney.

That said, the term is currently in a legal grey area, and the original Ugg boot is a generic term for that style of shoe. This being the case, you will find a number of far better Ugg boots in Sydney than you might in, say Minnesota. Remember that these are mostly a seasonal item, and will be far less in evidence in the summer months than in winter, autumn or spring. Indeed, you are in the wrong place at the wrong time if you want the UGG brand and you’re in Australia in the Summer.

Places like Kmart, BigW and other variety stores are likely to hold the most stock, and even if you are out of luck in the store, you may be able to find a chain store willing to get them sent from a central dispatch center. It’s worth noting that even if you do get a pair, depending on where you get them from, they may not even be real. This is currently less so in Australia than other places, but it makes looking for UGG boots in Sydney a surprisingly challenging task.

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