UGG boots ugly, but winter gear should be functional

State News columnist Thea Neal dedicated quite a bit of energy into thinking about (and possibly obsessing over) where UGG boots fit into the world, especially the world of fashion, in No excuses for sporting ugly UGG boots (SN 1/29). I do not begrudge her this, as it is her prerogative to over-think any vacuous subject she chooses. What I do find upsetting is the high-handed fashion advice she doles out as fact.

Two of the selling points that she has received and rails against regarding these admittedly ugly UGG boots is that they are comfortable and practical. It is her assertion these things are of little importance, as if how “fashionable” an article of clothing is determines its worth. It is my opinion that she needs to re-evaluate her priorities.

As winter and freezing conditions continue, I’ll continue to agree with her about how ugly UGG boots are while I stay warm in long johns, ratty wool hats and flannel.

Adam Cornish

first-year biochemistry graduate student