Depends where she was. She looks like she's schlepping on an errand. We all wear some trashy things when we're just running errands or needing some downtime. I've never attracted to Uggs but they've been around for decades, worn by surfers. I feel that just because they were overdone at one point doesn't mean people shouldn't wear them for their original schleppy/comfortable use. As long as they're not worn as part of a "nice" outfit...

Posted by: WendyB | August 16, 2007 6:40 PM

I think the issue is Does "trashy" or casual comfort have to be unstylish, unfashionable, or unflattering? Trendiness does not always equate to fashion correctness. The Ugg and Croc phenomenons have occurred in part due to the incorrect idea that comfort and stylishness can not be attained simultaneously. I design handmade, custom shoes that are stylish and comfortable. Comfortable shoes do not have to be an anti-fashion statement. I don't think you can't have stylishness and comfort in a shoe.

Posted by: Gerald Joseph | August 17, 2007 2:51 AM

This is going to sound dumb... but I thought those really were, well, shoes, because I've seen a pair on almost every girl at my old high school in Philadelphia. They pair them with wide legged velour sweats(shudder)and shuffle around in the hallways like the dead dead glassy eyed Lindsey Lohan clones they are. Finally I have my moment of fashion vindication! These girls really do roll out of bed and put a straighting iron to their hair and go to school.

Posted by: Wellesley | August 17, 2007 4:41 AM

I totally agree, Gerald. I'm always hearing "But they're so comfortable!" as an excuse for Crocs or other ugly shoes, but there are LOTS of comfortable shoes in the world - you don't *have* to wear ugly ones.

Wellesley - Ugg Australia's website describes them as slippers, so you're vindicated!

I should probably add again here that I don't actually mind Ugg BOOTS - these, though, I think look very odd indeed, even as slippers!

Posted by: Amber | August 17, 2007 10:16 AM

I've owned a pair of crocs for several years- before they started popping up everywhere- but it never would have occurred to me to wear them in PUBLIC, as I bought them for the purpose of walking around creeks in the mountains where I live. I ended up wearing them as slippers when I'm cleaning, but I have completely disassociated MY pair from what people wear in public- I almost felt confused the first time I saw someone else wearing them. I agree that they are ugly as hell, and even I don't enjoy seeing people wearing them in public, but part of me thinks also it's great that some people don't care what they look like.

Posted by: jillian | August 18, 2007 4:15 AM