The fuzzy sheepskin boot that once stopped at the ankle is moving up this winter.
Having gone past fad status to become a fixed part of winter wardrobes, shearling footwear now comes in a range of heights, and shoppers are choosing by length as much as by color. Slippers, ankle boots and slip-ons are still selling, but the knee-high boot is the style drawing the most attention this season.
The numbers back that up. The Ultra Tall, the longest style yet in Ugg's Classic boot line, passed a 65 percent sell-through rate within a month of going on sale in late September, Shinsegae International, the brand's official importer in Korea, said Thursday.
In Korea, the brand name has long served as an everyday shorthand for any sheepskin boot. What has changed is how the boots are worn.
Model Bella Hadid set the template in fall 2022, when she wore her boots with a leather jacket, micro boxer-style shorts and chunky cotton socks. The look, which seemed to ignore the calendar entirely, was copied widely.
Afterward, styling largely followed one of two routes. One leaned into Hadid's playful formula with short bottoms and leg warmers. The other balanced the boot's rounded shape with wide-leg trousers.
This season, as slim and straight cuts overtake wide trousers, the boots are increasingly paired with slim-fit pants that show off the taller silhouette.
Korean celebrities have embraced the taller cut as well.
Kim Chaewon of Le Sserafim drew attention with a vacation outfit that paired a comfy pink tracksuit, sunglasses and a knit beanie with knee-high camel boots. The warm boots tempered the bright set and gave the relaxed look a stronger finish.
Ahn Yujin of Ive kept things simple in photos she shared on social media Friday. She wore a white long-sleeve T-shirt and jeans with tall camel boots.
For those ready to try the taller boot, three combinations stand out.
Micro shorts with an oversized top remain the most playful option. A roomy upper half and bare legs above a tall boot read casual and cute.
Oversized track pants with knee-high boots offer comfort with a hint of cool. The pairing taps into the slacker mood now popular in street style, a look that appears effortless while still feeling polished.
Denim jeans tucked into the boot is the most classic choice. The tucked look recalls the Y2K era, when the combination first became a winter uniform.
yoohong@heraldcorp.com
