UGG Boots – Plain Bad Design
If a product is poorly designed, it usually fails to be useful, let alone popular. There are, however, exceptions to this law. The best example in recent history is the UGG Boot.
The University of Western Ontario, in particular, has been riddled with the UGG craze for at least the last four years I have been here. Trends among young adults typically come and go, but this one is really riding it out.
Before you ladies get too angry with me about calling these boots pure bad design, let me explain myself.
Visually – 1/10
There is no doubt in my mind that these are the most visually unattractive pieces of footwear available to women. They are meant to be worn around the house on a cold day, very similar to slippers – but celebrities like Paris Hilton made wearing them in public a fashion statement (although she probably just forgot to take them off). Wearing black tights does not help the outfit either.
If you own a pair with that atrocious salt stain across the front, please invest in some real winter boots.
Functionality – 5/10
I concede to the fact that UGG Boots are warm. This, and only this, should be the main reason for wearing them. The reason they do not score higher than 50% is because of how bad they are for your feet. There is absolutely no support or cushioning that will last more than a few days in the boots. It hurts me to see girls that pronate (basically walk on the inside of your feet) wearing UGGs. The boot has completely broken down and it looks as if she is walking on her ankles. Trust me, that’s not good for your feet.
Practicality – 2/10
They cover your feet – that’s it.
Fashion – 0/10
Does every girl want to look the exact same? Beige UGG Boots and black tights… it’s like living in a Where’s Waldo game every time I go to campus. Be original. Stand out. That is fashionable.
Overall – 8/40
That’s 20%, well below a fail. Although this is no official score on any international level, I hope it drills the idea that UGG boots are a poorly designed product that should not be held as the highlight of womens’ wardrobes.
Most men and many women agree that they are not an attractive choice, so why do they continue to be so popular?
Carson Shold is a freelance graphic and web designer born in Victoria, BC and living in London, Ontario. He is a ‘for hire‘ designer that wants to help your business stand out – the right way. You can connect with him and his thoughts on twitter or check out his portfolio at carsonshold.com.
The only thing as trendy and fashionable as wearing UGG boots is criticizing them. Nobody really likes these things, and it’s almost to the point wear girls could, if they were bright enough, wear them ironically as a statement against everyone who wears them.
Heck, I even saw one girl on Halloween dressed up as a “Western girl,” complete with blonde hair, black tights and, yes, UGG boots.
It’s also amazing that the ad on the side of your site is for UGG boots. Have you no shame, Carson!!
Yea I get your point about irony Stuart, but I highly doubt that is the case. The ‘Western Girl’ costume is hilarious.
I noticed the add after I posted this, that’s all Google’s doing, not mine!