How Boots from Walmart Changed my Life

When it comes to winter I’m the biggest whiner on the planet, but this winter—with its record snow fall and frigid temperatures—I whined not. Not even one time. I owe it all to my WUggs. My faux Uggs from Walmart, that is.

Generally, I begin my complaints about winter in September when I begin to worry about being cold. I fuss when it gets down to 50 and then 40, and the light dims and the frost forms on the deck and walkways. It all makes my heart heavy. I worry about the cost of snow removal and heat too, but it’s the ache in the bones that comes with never ever being able to get warm and stay warm that really brings me down.

I started off this fall in that familiar trajectory. Last summer went by so fast and, come September, I was seriously depressed because I knew fall would lead to winter, as it always does. I moaned my way through October with gritted teeth and a heavy heart.

Then, November brought me a winter gift—my WUggs.

I was out shopping in Hadley with my daughter Molly and my boyfriend. I had in past years contemplated getting a pair of Uggs, the knee-length version, but at almost $200 a pair, I couldn’t justify the cost. Plus, honestly, I don’t see Uggs as very fashionable, and every teen girl in America is wearing them, so they are certainly not original.

Having rejected the name brand, I did contemplate a knock-off version in a shoe store in Hadley for $82. They looked warm and cozy.

“Should I get a pair?” I asked my boyfriend.

He shrugged. “

Ya,” I said. “I don’t think they’re even worth $82.”

I left them there on the shelf. Then we all traipsed into Walmart for the slippers we didn’t find in the shoe store, and there in a nearby aisle, were tan faux Uggs. Not as nice as the real thing, but close enough, and at $22 for the pair, I couldn’t pass them up.

I bought them eagerly and put them on as soon as I got home. They were incredibly cozy, like slippers that went half way up the leg. But I didn’t know even then how deep an attachment I would form with these tan suede boots.

I had intended to wear these WUggs only at home because I was self-conscious about the Walmart brand—even though, thankfully, there is no Walmart insignia where the Ugg stamp appears on the boot heel on the name-brand versions.

But I found myself planning my daily wardrobe around the boots, and as winter wore on, I even began to wear them to work appointments and client meetings. I no longer cared that I was a walking Walmart advertisement. I was warm, all day long, as long as I had my WUggs on.

Below zero temperatures? Bring it on. Another Nor’ easter? No problem. I am protected.

I thank my dear WUggs for ushering me happily through winter 2014-15. I will honor them by storing them safely in my closet, and I look forward to wearing them next fall, as soon as the temp dips below 60.

I will probably also get a second pair, in black this time, to upgrade my wardrobe. Perhaps, if I go soon, I will find a pair on sale for even less than $22.