Letters to the Fashion Fairy: Is it UGGly?

By Christine Stoddard

Dear Madame Fashion Fairy,

Be honest: can I wear Uggs with leggings? I have a big bet going on with a friend, so your answer’s really important in determining how much I can spend on Christmas presents this year!

Thanks,

U.G.G.L.Y.

Dear Miss U.G.G.L.Y.,

You can wear whatever you want, and I mean that sincerely. Even if it involves squashing a tarantula and plopping it on top of your head. As much as I sometimes wish I could, I cannot dictate what anyone else puts on in the morning. You have the freedom to choose, just as you have the freedom to choose what you eat, what you read, and what you like in general. That being said, however, I can make pointed suggestions. I’ll exercise my right to do just that right now.

Yes, wearing Uggs with leggings look good…under certain circumstances. Please, please, please do not wear leggings as plain pants, throw on Uggs and your college T-shirt, and call it an outfit. I disapprove of leggings worn like jeans, khakis, corduroys, or other regular pants, unless your top falls long enough to sufficiently cover your bum. (For further elaboration, read my response to the letter titled, “What are leggings anyway?”). Here’s an example of where the Uggs/leggings-as-pants combo works: leggings, Uggs, tunic, jacket, knitted scarf, subtle jewelry–all in the same color family. Another example: Uggs, leggings, super-long sweater, long pendant necklace, knitted hat. Here’s an extreme example of where the Uggs/leggings-as-pants combo makes me want to bury my face in my pillow and cry tears of misery: Uggs, torn leggings, cut-off/belly-bearing tank top, infected belly piercing–all in totally conflicting colors. Wow, just imagining that required me to wipe tears from the corners of my eyes. I beg of you ladies, never abandon the concept of ‘taste.’

On the note of taste, there are a couple other pretty ways to mix your Uggs with your leggings. Sadly for teeny-boppers, they still do not involve cut-off tank tops. Pull a mini-skirt over your leggings, preferably one that complements your Uggs. Solid-colored or tame patterns in tame colors generally work best. I don’t recommend pairing a “tropical splash” type skirt with Uggs; you might as well top it off with a Viking helmet and Madonna-esque jelly bracelets at that point. Here’s an example of an outfit I would support: fitted pale gray sweater, cameo necklace, lavender mini-skirt, cream leggings, light Uggs. If the idea of a mini-skirt makes you shudder, try a full-on dress instead–just keep it above the knee. A long dress competing with tall boots will crop your legs. Not literally, of course, unless you forgot to check what jawed creature started nesting inside of your Uggs. Another option is wearing a long coat over your leggings with your Uggs–just don’t remove the coat unless you have something to, ahem, cover your rump. A long, tweed pea coat with a black tee, gold necklace, black leggings, and camel Uggs would look lovely, for example.

Now run out and try out these creations! You might be pleasantly surprised by the new outfits you assemble, Miss U.G.G.L.Y.

Yours ’til the wand stops sparkling,
The Fashion Fairy