Go-go Boot - History

History

The idea of a women's mainstream fashion boot was revolutionary. Before the introduction of go-go boots, women's boots were generally worn only during inclement weather, rugged activities, or horseback riding, but not as street shoes. This new style of footwear was designed to complement the shorter hemlines of the new, modern look. Go-go boots draw attention to the legs and accentuate the simple A‑line silhouettes, but also offer some modest coverage for less daring but fashion-minded women.

André Courrèges is often cited as the originator of the fashion go-go boot. A low-heeled, calf-high boot made of white plastic with a clear, cut-out slot near the top was featured as part of the "moon girl" look featured in his fall 1964 collection. Other designers, including Mary Quant, designed their own versions of go-go boots. As hemlines rose, so did the height of the boot, and the heel height dropped proportionately, culminating in a pair of thigh-high garter boots designed by Yves Saint-Laurent, which clipped up underneath the tiniest of skirts. Manufacturers began mass-producing runway knock-offs in contemporary colors and materials. These knock-offs were extremely popular with teenagers, who could be seen wearing go-go boots both on the street and in television dance shows. They were often seen worn by "dolly birds" in London during the 1960s. The boots usually had a zipper in the back although some styles featured a side zipper or no zipper at all.

Female dancers on the TV shows Hullabaloo and Shindig also wore the short, white boots. As such, those came to be called "Hullabaloo boots" and "Shindig boots". Beverly Bivens, lead singer of We Five, wore such boots for several television appearances by the band in 1965. Nancy Sinatra's 1966 number-one pop hit "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" helped popularize go-go boots, and the space age boots worn by Jane Fonda in the 1968 science fiction film Barbarella were a nod to their erotic past.

Fashion trends progressed and as women's trousers and maxi-length skirts where only the foot showed became popular, legs were de‑emphasized. By the early 1970s, go-go boots were referred to simply as "boots", and the emphasis shifted to the height of the heel and the development of the platform. Many women wore them in the 1970s.