‘Bogan' act that Aussies can't agree on

News.com.au

05-05-2025

A fierce debate has been sparked after one of the women behind a successful wellness brand asked whether wearing one particular item in public was acceptable.
Podcast co-hosts Laura Henshaw and Steph Claire Smith were speaking about things that their KICPOD listeners hated, but everyone else around them seemed to love. On the list were matcha, cheese and coffee.
Crocs were also on the list, and it reminded Ms Henshaw about a trend she noticed while in New York City for the NYC Marathon.
'There's something else I've started wearing, in New York, that I feel like in Australia you actually feel like you can't wear out of the house. Ugg boots,' she said.
Ms Smith said she was shocked, admitting she thought it was common in Australia to do so. Ms Henshaw said that the perception in Australia was that it was 'bogan' to wear Uggs outside, while in New York they were seen as 'chic'.
The popular influencer added that she bought a specific pair of Ugg Boots that she'd seen a lot of women wearing in New York, and when she wore the shoes to her chiropractor he asked why she was wearing them.
'And he's very stylish,' the 32-year-old health and wellness star said.
Her co-founder added: 'I feel like they're in, and he's behind.'
Ms Smith said the fashion had gone from Birkenstocks, to clogs, and now to slide on Uggs — and it would be a huge trend this winter.
The clip has sparked fierce debate, with many declaring it's fine to wear them – but there were certain caveats.
'I feel like you can only wear them to the supermarket late at night. That's where I see them most,' one commented.
Another said: 'Haha this is funny. Literally wore my cropped ones to work the other day.'
'I wear mine everywhere! With active wear to pilates, with jeans to the footy, trackies to the supermarket. No shame here,' one declared.
Another weighed in: 'Super common in Perth … or maybe we all just like to walk in our pjs.
'I personally have three pairs and I walk in them everyday. Hubby walks with them to site as a tradie before changing to his work boots.'
'Nooo! CHIC! With a pair of wide leg slouchy pants over = 10/10,' one said.
Another social media user added: 'All the pilates princesses wear them and have been for a long time lol.'
'All the girls in Europe wear them I just went there for winter! 100 per cent will be wearing here,' another added.
One commented: 'I mean, people go barefoot (don't get my started) in shopping centres here … Uggs are fine.'
'It's like day drinking, When poor people do it it's bogan but when rich people do it it's chic,' another said.
One listener added: 'As long as your outdoor uggs are different to your indoor uggs it's okay.'
'I think the full boots are bogan but those low ones with red pattern could be Australian chic,' one social media user said.
Many people in the comment section insisted that Australians buy Uggs that are made in Australia, after Australian brand UGG Since 1974 revealed it was forced to change its name in the US over a trademark lawsuit.