When Uncool is Okay

Let me whip out my handy clipboard and write my dear readers a little memo...

After my recent Uggs post, I got several emails from people defending their Uggs-wearing rationales. So I want to apologize for being so blanket-statement-happy & to refine my criticisms here, so as not to seem totally judgmental and unreasonable (who, me?).

1. Uggs are ugly. They are not flattering or attractive. This must be understood and acknowledged.
2. Therefore, they must NOT NOT NOT be worn in any sort of public situation when "chic" is the desired effect. One email I received echoes my horror at all the Uggs in Boston (thanks, Annie). "On Uggs: I was in Manhattan in November (where I found it positively balmy) and I swear that one in five women had on a pair of the mid-calf Uggs, in rust brown. Another 1 in 20 had the same color, in the knee high version, with the leg rolled down to the mid calf height. I was so glad that I stopped wearing them about 6 or 8 or was it 10? years ago. Though around here [New Hampshire], the ones with real soles have their uses for dress up in winter."
3. On that note, here is my exception to Rule #2: Uggs are very, very warm and comfy.
4. Therefore, they are permissible and even encouraged in these situations:
1. Freezing cold weather when you are outside doing hard labor or walking somewhere far away (like my friend who wrote me that "I'm going to wear my Uggs in the snow and the rain, and not apologize for it!" I understand. No one looks cool in snow and rain. I still remember the gigantic balloon of a down coat I used to wear in Boston.)
   
2. Freezing cold weather when you are inside and you have insufficient heat (like in my apartment when I lived in northern Spain. My roommate had Uggs, and even I was jealous.)

Lesson: fashion is not always about the most flattering option. When possible, yes, but practicality does have to win every once in awhile (and if you never let it win, you end up being one of those hilarious women trying to hike up an ancient Mexican pyramid in stilettos). Okay? Okay. Let's all be friends.

P.S. I love the girl in the photo. She's wearing giant fat things on her lower legs, but somehow I think they look far more interesting than Uggs. Plus I admire her dedication to the layered look--imagine carrying around all that!--and her mad multitasking skills. [photo: karst]