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According to folklore, ugg Boots were first worn by Australian sheep ranchers, followed by aviators in non-pressurized planes on long missions during World War I and World War II. Australian surfers in the 1960s and 1970s began wearing the boots at the beach to keep their feet warm after coming out of the water. Surfer Brian Smith brought the sheepskin boots to the United States in 1978, and the rest is history.

Still sold by many small, family-owned businesses in Australia, the best-known international retailer is ugg Australia, an American company that has capitalized on the more recent popularity of the boots.

ugg boots have come a long way from their humble roots as functional footwear in the fields and on the beaches of Australia. Commonly known Down Under as uggs, ughs or ugs, the unisex sheepskin boots have been made for about 200 years with wool on the inside and tanned leather on the outside.

Rachel Anderson, an instructor in the apparel design and manufacturing program at Texas tech, said a well-known Hollywood bombshell may be responsible for the boots’ popularity stateside.

“I read that Pamela Anderson was one of the first to wear Ugg boots, during film breaks for Baywatch,” Anderson said with a laugh. “However it got started, celebrities were definitely responsible for making the look popular with the rest of us.”

In addition to Ugg Australia, popular sheepskin boot retailers include Emu, Koolaburra and Warmbat. Anderson said because the real thing is more expensive, there are plenty of Ugg look-alikes out on the market.

“Ugg Australia claims their boots will last at least four to five years,” Anderson said. “The faux sheepskin boots are cheaper, but they don’t last as long and aren’t as comfortable. Real or not, this look is extremely popular

in Lubbock because of the college crowd, and they make up a huge portion of the local market.”

Tech senior Naomi Ortega has been wearing Ugg boots for two years. She mostly pairs them with jeans, but admits to wearing them occasionally with shorts and leggings.

“They are very warm and comfortable,” Ortega said. “I bought the brown ones because they match best with the most styles and colors of clothes. I love them because they are easy to just slip on in the morning and go to class. And I think they’re cute.”

Kelly Wimberly, assistant buyer at Malouf’s on 82nd Street and Quaker Avenue, said the store has been carrying Ugg boots for around a decade and they sell out every year.

“Every year we think this will be the year we overbuy, but we never do,” Wimberly said. “We get our first shipments in August and always sell them all. We brought in 300 pairs last year and 400 this year. Everybody loves them, from kids to grandmothers.”

Malouf’s carries the classic tall and short sheepskin boots as well as slippers, drivers and trendier looks like the knit “cardy” Style. Wimberley said the chestnut and black classic tall boots are most popular for women, and the slippers and chukka styles are best-sellers with men.

On a sunny December day on campus, Tech junior Erin O’Neill was sporting her classic tall chestnut Uggs with a long-sleeve T-shirt and running shorts. She said she got her first Uggs during her senior year of high school and is working on her second pair.

“I wear them everywhere,” O’Neill said. “They are great on days like today because it’s too cold for flip-flops, but still nice outside. Most of the time I wear them with sweatpants and jeans, but some days I do throw them on with shorts.”

“The girls on campus wear them with everything from running shorts and leggings to miniskirts and jeans,” Anderson said. “I can’t say I understand the running shorts look, but if I was 19 and had their bodies, maybe I would do it, too. Uggs definitely aren’t just for college kids anymore. My mom recently bought a pair, and she loves them.”

Anderson points out that since students want a trendy look and something comfortable as they walk across campus, Uggs fit the bill perfectly.