Men wearing Uggs - the history, the why and the why not?

Forever the preserve of ladyfolk, Ugg are now looking to corner the men's market with a more masculine take on the sheep skin shoes. Do you dare?

By Sinead Ryan

Ugg boots burst into our lives over 5 years ago and they aren't going anywhere soon. Made from sheep skin and lined with wool, they are designed to keep your feet warm in winter and cool in summer and were first marketed towards women with nothing better to spend their money on.

Available in a variety of styles, different colours and different finishes, there was a perfect pair for everyone. The worst pair I ever set my eyes on was in the U.S - silver and metallic, they resembled something that Neil Armstrong probably wore on his trip to the moon. I hoped that they wouldn't make it across the Atlantic but unfortunately for Irish eyes everywhere, they did. They have invaded our shores and wardrobes of Irish womenfolk alike.

The Ugg phenomenon is down to an Australian man by the name of Shane Stedman. A lifelong surfer living by the beach in Sydney, Stedman made the boots to keep his feet warm at the beach after leaving the water. The idea was brought to America by a young surfer by the name of Brian Smith and soon the boots were beginning to gain popularity.

Stedman sold the rights to an American company which turned the product into a $799 per-year enterprise. You're probably thinking that Stedman earned a fortune when he sold the rights. In actual fact, he sold the rights to the multi-million dollar enterprise for ￡10,000 and three pairs of Ugg boots every year for the rest of his life. Sounds like an easy man to keep happy.

Now however, Ugg have started to get their dirty hooves into Irish men. They are falling into the lovely, cosy and comfortable world of the Ugg or the Mugg (Male Uggs). It's not just ordinary guys who are being sucked in by the phenomenon, Hollywood stars such as Matthew McConaughey, Ben Affleck and Leonardo DiCaprio (above) have all been spotted wearing Ugg boots.

At first, you may think that Uggs on a man would be completely different to a woman. I mean, you couldn't go around wearing the same boots as your lady friend, could you? Yet, surprisingly, there are some styles that aren't that similar to the female boots available.

Wearable male uggs? They exist

Ugg has brought out styles of boots for men that are actually wearable fo men. The makers of Uggs realise that you don't want to look like you're heading out to get some milk in your girlfriend's boots. As such, they have expanded their range by keeping the important elements of the original Ugg boot and mixing them with hard-wearing, manly looking boots.

Schuh currently stock a small range of men's Uggs which include the original classic styles, slippers and leather boots.

So if you do decide to venture over to the dark side, I won't judge you for wearing Uggs, but beware of those non-believers.

Ugg lovers everywhere will have to accept that they will be in a minority group and they should be prepared for a backlash. They'll rip the absolute piss out of you for wearing them. So make sure you pick the pair that doesn't make you look like a girl. No pressure there then.