I know I’m getting ahead of myself here with the Ugg boots already, but they are indeed starting to show up on people’s feet in New York (quite unnecessarily to my mind, since it’s hardly gotten below 60 degrees here).  Now, I know there’s an ongoing debate about whether they’re great or awful, but I’m here to come down firmly on the side of love for these boots (which I’ve raved about before).

I recognize that they’re not the most fashionable (although more on that later), but they’re really the only thing that keeps my perpetually cold feet warm in the winter, and I’ve been relying on a succession of Ultra Talls to serve this important purpose for over 10 years now.  Allow me to wax on about how they manage this for a moment.

Basically, when the boots are all made of sheepskin and sheepwool, they have natural wicking properties, so even though they’re not waterproof per se, they will keep the water and snow away from your feet when the boots get wet.  Only thing that holds this up is if you wear socks with them.  Seriously.  Don’t wear socks.  They’ll keep your feet much warmer and drier without the socks, which just soak up all that moisture and keep it right next to your feet.  If you must wear socks, make sure they’re some wicking material like polypropelene or one of those high-tech hiking type socks.

OK, so I recognize that most people who wear Uggs at this point are actually doing it for the fashion statement, and that the ongoing war is between people who tend to go for the “mini skirt and Uggs” look (which I’m not really into) and people who say these things are hideous clunky, fashionless monstrosities (which I don’t really agree with either).  I think I’m probably in the minority of people who really love these boots for their functionality.  But c’est la vie.  And I embrace their clunky style.

So, imagine my pleased surprise when I went to check out the newest crop of Ugg offerings and found some that I quite like the look of.  Allow me to demonstrate.

The Classic Tall ($160) has been updated in a few new fun colors, including metallic pewter, gold, and a sweater knit that hits my cosy winter buttons bigtime.  Just pass me the hot apple cider now.

The new Rina boot ($225) has a fun ribbon that wraps around the shaft, and I love this brown/gold color combination.

The Locarno boot ($250) has a great bomber-jacket-inspired look in black or two variations of brown with sheepskin and straps and leather, oh my!

The Upside boot ($225) comes in a variety of leather and suede options and makes me want to hit the excellent sledding hill in the town where I grew up.

Of course, in an effort to keep up with fashion, Ugg has also launched the “high fashion” Nolita line of more typical styles like the Caroline ($295) and the Greenwich line, including the Felicity ($295), but I sill prefer the clunkier looking boots.  Everyone and their mother can find a nice looking leather boot somewhere, but since I like Uggs for their cozy factor, I’m sticking with that tried and true chunky warm fleecy style and embracing my winter bundled self.