Cozy Up to Shopbop and UGG Boots Giveaway

Attention kitty cats!

Are you a fan of cozy Ugg boots? Because if you are, today may be your lucky chance to get a pair! We’re giving out a $100 Shopbop.com instant gift card to the commenter who leaves the most creative response to this question: which pair of Ugg boots from Shopbop.com is your favorite, and why? Tell us where you would wear them and how you'd put together the rest of your ensemble. The most fashion-inspiring comment wins - so get creative!

What are Ugg boots?

It seems like you see them every day, but how did they get their start? Did you know the term "ugg" or "ug" actually predates the Ugg Australia brand as a generic term for this style of Australian-made sheepskin boots? This type of boot has been around ever since people started raising sheep. Ranchers and farmers used to put every part of the sheep to use, making clothing and, you guessed it, uggs. The cozy wardrobe essentials we know and love today are a form of unisex--that's right, unisex!--boots made of Grade A sheepskin with soft, fleece lining on the inside. Ugg Australia boots are all about accessible luxury. Ugg boots are so cozy they actually feel more like slippers than shoes; they are the epitome of comfortable footwear. "Ugg" wearers include a diverse crowd: everyone from sheep shearers and war pilots, to surfers and celebrities.



How did Ugg boots become so popular?

Uggs were worn by WWI and WWII aviators for long, high altitude flights. In this case, uggs were called "fuggs" for flying uggs. But the Ugg trend didn't officially start until 1978 when Brian Smith, an Australian surfer, came to the U.S. with a bag full of sheepskin boots and introduced them to surfers on the U.S. west coast; Californian surfers started using Ugg boots to keep warm when they got out of the water.

But Ugg boots really came into the spotlight in 2000 when Oprah purchased 350 for her staff and featured the cozy boots on her "Oprah's Favorite Things" show. Soon after, other celebrities, such as Jessica Simpson and Kate Hudson, donned Ugg boots followed suit. Ugg boots have continued in popularity ever since.

How would you wear your Ugg boots?

It's interesting to consider the history of Ugg boots, but let's face it. What really matters today is how you would wear your pair! Because if you win this giveaway, you’ll get a $100 Shopbop.com instant gift card so you can start shopping immediately and give your feet a rest. Will you don your Uggs in front of a cozy fire come New Year's Eve? Pair them with a pretty pullover on New Year's Day? Just tell us which pair of Ugg boots is your favorite, and how you’d wear them. The most creative, fashion-forward comment wins!



Cozy Up to Shopbop and Ugg Boots Giveaway:

♥Visit Shopbop, and choose your favorite pair of UGG boots.

♥For one (1) entry, leave a comment on this post between now and Saturday, January 9, 2010 at midnight PST stating what your favorite pair of UGG boots from Shopbop is, why they're your favorite, where you would wear them, and how you would put them together with the rest of your ensemble.

♥For two (2) entries, Twitter about this giveaway, and leave a comment on this post stating what your favorite pair of UGG boots from Shopbop is, why they're your favorite, where you would wear them, and how you would put them together with the rest of your ensemble between now and Saturday, January 9, 2010 at midnight PST with your Twitter URL.

♥For three (3) entries, become a follower of Café Fashionista on Blogger/Google Reader/Google Friend Connect, and leave a comment on this post stating what your favorite pair of UGG boots from Shopbop is, why they're your favorite, where you would wear them, and how you would put them together with the rest of your ensemble between now and Saturday, January 9, 2010 at midnight PST (if you are already a Café Fashionista follower, please say so in your comment).

The one (1) commenter with the best answer to the question wins, and will be announced right here on Sunday, January 10, 2010.

Good luck everyone!

And yes, this Giveaway is open to everyone – U.S. or International residents!


Fashionably yours!