So-called fugly shoes have a long history steeped in tradition, from Birkenstocks and Doc Martens, to Uggs and Crocs. (I have personally owned and worn three of the aforementioned four styles. And I still stand by my Ugg boots because they're hella warm.)

By now we've all noticed one of the latest trends in fug-footwear, namely, garishly striped, spotted and otherwise bespattered rainboots, or Wellies as they are affectionately called, named after the original Scottish export, the Hunter Wellington rubber boot.

Fine, I thought. Fun boots for a rainy day. I even considered buying a cheap pair from Target to add some cheer to dreary, gray days when I must still brave the elements and walk my dog.

But now it seems the Hunter boot is poised to become the next official, expensive fugly shoe: Shopbop.com has 6 styles in a range of colors, all retailing for over $100 (I should mention they have normal colors like your basic black, brown and navy, too). They're trying to make Hunters cool. My question to you is, are they succeeding? Are you craving a pair of clunky silver rainboots with a can't-miss Hunter label emblazoned on the front as if to say, "I know these are ugly...but they were expensive!"?

Only time will tell...I'm pretty impressionable, especially when Shopbop tells me something is chic. But IF I cave, I'll get something like these "Zetta" navy rainboots from Target.com, just $24.99.

Wild Wellies: Fug or fab?