The swinging sixties and seventies were decades where experimentation was big in fashion. One of the shoe styles that emerged from the fashion explosion that occurred during this generation was t*he go-go boot.* Go-go boots were revolutionary because they made women's boot fashions street wear instead of just functional, inclement weather wear.
Go-go Boots: The Design
Go-go boots were traditionally made from synthetic materials; however, modern variations also use natural materials like leather. They tend to be a low-heeled boot that can have a calf, knee or rise above the knee. They can be either form fitting against the lower leg, or they can be loose. Generally go-go boots designed for girls are looser fitting and have a flat or low heel, while women's go-go boots have a tighter fit and a higher heel. However, while two-inch Cuban heels have been used in a variety of go-go boot designs, the heel tends to be less than one inch.
Go-go Boots: Fashion
Go-go boots emerged back in the mid-sixties. Shoe designer Andre Courreges is given credit for the first go-go boots. These first boots were made from either vinyl or plastic and were generally white in color. The height of the boot complimented the shorter hemlines found in women's fashion during the 60s and 70s. The height of the boot's rise followed hemlines as they migrated up the leg. This was great for women who were a bit shy about exposing so much leg with daring fashions of the era. The boots provided significant coverage without having to sacrifice fashion forwardness.
Go-go Boots: Pop Culture
Go-go boots were very popular with young girls and women. They were popularized by pop cultural icons like Nancy Sinatra and Jane Fonda who both sported these boots. Nancy Sinatra promoted her single "These Boots Were Made for Walkin" by wearing a pair of sexy go-go boots, and Jane Fonda wore a pair in her sci-fi erotic film "Barberella." While not as popular as they once were, you can still see variations of go-go boots still making their way down runways around the world.
