The History Behind Ugg’s Mini Boots: From Surf Culture to 2000s Nostalgia
Amina Ayoud
Assistant Digital Editor
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Ugg has introduced many beloved silhouettes over the years, including the Classic Mini styles.
Revamped and reworked, the shorter version of its ankle-length counterpart holds a special place in many people’s wardrobes, including the proverbial “it-girls” of our time like Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner and Elsa Hosk.
A Google Trends newsletter published on Nov. 3 cited that searches for Ugg boots, specifically the minis, saw a significant spike in popularity, and for good reason. The silhouette taps into the ever-popular Y2K trend that’s swept almost every industry, including fashion, technology and footwear.
The clunky shearling silhouette’s resurgence seems to stem equally from Gen-Z’s need for comfortable footwear and an undeniable nostalgia factor fueled by an insatiable curiosity for the past. It is safe to say that the 2000s revival of the ever-cozy Ugg boot is a polarizing one, but a popular one nonetheless.
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To better understand the popularity and reach of the hallowed boot, we must first unpack its history.
The history of Ugg and its Mini boot
Before Ugg founders Brian Smith and Doug Jensen popularized the boot style, shearling footwear was worn by sheep shearers in the early 1920s because they were resistant to wool yolk, which was known to rot ordinary boots. Born on the shore of sandy beaches of Australia in the 70s, the footwear was further commercialized, crafted to help keep professional surfers warm after early-morning sessions.
The shoe became a sign of rebellion for the youth in Australia, embracing a go-with-the-flow relaxed lifestyle that these surfers were known for. Smith and Jensen decided to manufacture the boot style under a specific name, Ugg, capitalizing on the footwear’s popularity with the Australian surfing crowd. In 1978, the Ugg brand was born. In 1994, under founders Jensen and Smith, the boots picked up significant traction when the U.S. Winter Olympic team wore them. A year later, Smith sold the business to Deckers Brands.
Ugg experienced major popularity in the 2000s, quickly becoming a staple of many celebrities’ wardrobes, including Paris Hilton, Beyoncé and Kate Moss. Paired with Juicy Couture tracksuits and denim mini skirts, the boot made the wearer instantly cooler by proxy. Famously, Sarah Jessica Parker wore a custom ruby red pair of Uggs in 2004 while on set for “Sex and the City.”
In 2003, Oprah Winfrey included the brand’s Classic Short boots on her famed “Oprah’s Favorite Things” list, sending the style into the stratosphere.
Many iterations of the Mini chestnut-colored boot exist today. In 2020, the Classic Ultra Mini Platform boot was introduced and quickly became a style many coveted. Equipped with 2-inch platform soles, the style gives the wearer a subtle and sleek boost. In 2022, Bella Hadid was spotted in New York munching on a piece of pizza sporting the newly revamped style, sparking a newfound interest in the platform bootie. Even smaller, the Classic Ultra Mini is the shortest of the bunch. Retailing for $150, the shoe features pull tabs and comes in a variety of colorways, including “Pink Glow” and “Black.”
In contrast to the Classic Ultra Mini, the Classic Mini II is taller and leaner, made with the brand’s short classic EVA sole. The Classic Mini II also comes in a variety of kids’ sizes. The Classic Mini Regenerate is another iteration of the mini Ugg. Retailing for $170, the style was launched in 2022 and is crafted from regenerative materials that originate from farms that practice regenerative agriculture.
These practices help restore soil, encourage wildlife diversity, capture carbon in the ground and preserve the land for generations to come. What’s more? Telfar, Collina Strada, Molly Goddard and Y/Project are just some of the brands that have taken on the mini Ugg style over the years, offering the footwear a high-fashion touch.
Regardless of the type, each mini Ugg stops just below the ankle for a more universally flattering length. Ugg’s mini boot silhouettes are often more approachable to consumers, aiding them extensively in their rise to fame. The height, or lack thereof, makes the silhouette more discrete.
Some are fitted with pull tabs for easy on and off. Although the height of the boot differs, heritage detailing like the fuzzy shearling lining and sheepskin uppers remain. This means that all of these mini styles harken back to popular styles of the 2000s, evoking that nostalgia factor. Decidedly, the mini footwear has been the “it” style of the past few years, and it seems its popularity won’t wane anytime soon.
About the Author
Amina Ayoud is an Assistant Digital Editor for Footwear News, where she writes stories about everything from celebrity style to breaking fashion and shoe releases. Ayoud cultivated a love of all things fashion early in life thanks to a deep love of fashion history and the luxury industry. In her free time, Ayoud is a self-proclaimed fashion nerd and thriftaholic.
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