Everyone is wearing them, but why? UGG boots continue to be the “it” style this season despite being dubbed a fashion faux pas by numerous fashion magazines like Glamour and Vogue.

Nevertheless, everyone seems to have them, and those who do not, want them.

“I wanted a pair of UGGs so badly,” said Ashley Reese. “I had to order them from UGGs.com and I waited five months to get them because they got back ordered twice. I just think they are so cute and that they were worth the wait.”

The boots first popped up on celebrities like Kate Hudson and Britney Spears, who had an ankle injury earlier last year. She needed something that was flat to the ground and comfortable, the answer: UGGs.

“I wear them because they are comfortable,” freshman Nicole Pascale said. “They keep my feet warm and I think they are cute. The only thing that I am not too fond about is that they really aren’t protective in the snow.”

Now, most magazines are saying that UGGs are out of style since their introduction last year, but students do not appear to be adhering to that advice. Instead, they are being seen on more feet than ever before.

“Yes, the boots keep my feet warm, but I saw how cute they looked on everyone and I definitely wanted a pair for myself,” Christine DiBuono said. “I liked them so much that I bought two pairs in different colors.”

When walking down Bobcat Alley it is likely to see at least one out of every four girls wearing UGG boots. It seems that even the guys are beginning to sport the look with a male version of the UGG.

The authentic UGG boots are imported from Australia and made from Grade A sheepskin. The boots come in either a short or a tall style, and come in a variety of colors, the most popular being sand brown, chestnut and baby pink. The boots are also available in baby blue, ruby and black.

All are fur lined and can be worn either pulled straight up or rolled over to show some fuzz, giving them an Eskimo-like look.

Every pair has an UGG tag on the back just above the heel, and costs between $110 to $200, depending on the style. Since they are nearly impossible to find in area stores, shipping costs are included.

Those who do not care much for brand names, are sick of looking for a pair, or cannot afford the real thing, are opting for cheaper, but nearly identical, “fake UGGs,” aply deemed “FUGGs.”

“I own a fake pair of UGGs. I tried on a friends pair of the real ones and then a pair of the fake ones. I realized that not only are the fake ones as comfortable and warm as the real ones, but if I get mine dirty, I won’t kill myself over it because I didn’t spend $200,” Jennifer Radeloff said.

Companies like Simple, Rampage, Payless and Emu sell replicas ranging from $15 to $100, a significant break from authentic UGGs.

Some places where the ever elusive UGG can be purchased include the company’s official Web site [www.uggs.com], or at Nordstroms [there is one in the Westfarms Mall].

Despite their popularity, not everyone loves the fashion statement, and others feel that it has been overdone.

“I did think they were cute at first, but I am the type of person to stray away from what is ‘in’, so when I saw that every other girl on campus was wearing them I decided to be different and just wear regular snow boots,” Alana Cohen said.

One male student added his two cents about the fad.

“They are just ugly,” Tommy Durant said.

So are UGGs in or are they out? Looking around campus, the consensus seems to be, for now, that they are definitely in.