Once you’ve built a wardrobe staple, it might be tempting to leave it untouched, but Ugg has taken a daring step to update its classic, love-them-or-hate-them sheepskin booties.
The American company, headquartered in Goleta, California, is debuting a new version of the shoes inspired by traditional ugg boots from Australia and New Zealand, after which the brand is named.
This time, Ugg has added a chunky heel to the comfy accessories, giving the flat boots a few extra inches of height.
All new: Ugg has updated its classic sheepskin booties by adding a chunky heel to the design
Modeling: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, an ambassador for Ugg, has been spotted wearing the new shoes along with jeans and a beige coat
Past: The new Kasen releases are a stark departure from the booties that became a wardrobe classic after being favored by Hollywood stars such as Nicole Richie in the 2000s
The Kasen shoes come in two different versions: a low boot, which comes at $150, and a tall one, with a $250 price tag.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, an ambassador for Ugg, has been spotted wearing the new shoes along with jeans and a beige coat.
Design: Ugg’s classic boots were inspired by traditional ugg boots from Australia and New Zealand, after which the brand is named
Along with the Kasen styles, which most resemble Ugg’s classic shoe, the brand offers additional designs, such as mahogany suede boots with a similarly high heel.
The new Kasen releases are a stark departure from the booties that became a wardrobe classic after being favored by Hollywood stars in the 2000s.
Throughout that decade, it was frequent to see celebrities such as Britney Spears, Nicole Richie and even Beyonce sporting the calf-length sheepskin boots, even in the warm California weather.
They sometimes paired them with denim shorts and crop tops, but could also choose to wear them with dresses and skirts.
Not everyone appeared convinced that adding heels to Ugg boots, which are nowadays favored mainly for their comfort, is a good idea.
‘Who is out there putting heels on UGGs?! MAKE THEM STOP. Immediately,’ one Twitter user wrote after photos of the new Kasen boots emerged.
Vintage: Throughout that decade, it was frequent to see celebrities including Britney Spears and Beyonce sporting the calf-length sheepskin boots, even in warm weather
Choices: Along with the Kasen styles, which most resemble Ugg’s classic shoe, the brand offers additional designs, such as mahogany Suede boots with a similarly high heel (right)
Quirky: Ugg’s high-heeled shoes are the latest in a series of arresting footwear creations released this year, such as these Balenciaga sneakers
Them too: Adidas was preparing a similar design with sneakers that looked like they had a sock attached to them
Evening wear: Balenciaga also released a similar version of glamorous high heels, with a pair of pumps with what looks like a sock hiking up the ankle
Intriguing: Also in October, the Spanish designer debuted another arresting design during Parish Fashion Week by sending its models down the runway in platform Croc-like shoes
Bejeweled: Earlier this year, Christopher Kane collaborated with Crocs, this time adding marble prints and geode embellishments to the clogs
Ugg’s high-heeled shoes are the latest in a series of arresting footwear creations debuted by designers throughout the year.
In October, Balenciaga launched $700 slip-on sneakers that looked more like rubber soles with a sock attached to them. Despite their quirky look, the shoes quickly became an Instagram favorite, and Adidas prepared a similar model.
Balenciaga also released a similar version of glamorous high heels, with a pair of pumps with what looks like a sock hiking up the ankle.
Also in October, the Spanish designer debuted another arresting design during Parish Fashion Week by sending its models down the runway in intriguing platform Croc-like shoes.
Earlier this year, Christopher Kane collaborated with Crocs, this time adding marble prints and geode embellishments to the clogs.