Courrèges gets most of the credit, but he wasn’t the only name in the running. The American shoe company Golo also claimed to have invented the boot in 1964, and it got a major publicity boost when Barbra Streisand wore a pair in a Richard Avedon photo shoot for the August 1965 issue of Vogue. Whoever got there first, both versions shared the same basic idea, a low heel and a clean white finish that looked nothing like traditional footwear.
The name itself came from the nightclub scene. The Whisky a Go Go opened on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood in January 1964, and it became known for dancers who performed in suspended cages above the crowd wearing short skirts and high white boots. The look caught on fast, and go-go dancing clubs opened across the country through the mid-1960s, with the boots becoming as much a part of the uniform as the mini skirt.
Nancy Sinatra locked the name into the pop culture record in 1966 with “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’,” a number one hit that turned the boots into a symbol of confidence as much as fashion. By the late 1960s, department stores across the country were stocking boots in vinyl and patent leather, no longer treating them as a cold weather item. A South Carolina shoe buyer told a local paper in 1970 that boots had become an everyday accessory, worn to the office and the grocery store as easily as to a party.
VIDEO | Nancy Sinatra: These Boots are Made for Walkin’ (1966)
Heights crept up through the early 1970s, moving from ankle and mid-calf styles toward knee-high and even thigh-high boots, often in stretch vinyl with side zippers. Brown, black, white, navy and red were the most popular colors, and buyers of the era noted that plainer styles sold better than boots with elaborate patterns or textures. Waterproofing became a selling point too, with brands marketing boots that could handle rain and snow without sacrificing the sleek look.
The style faded from the mainstream by the mid to late 1970s as platform shoes and wedges took over as the era’s defining footwear. Go-go boots never disappeared completely, though, resurfacing in fashion revivals tied to renewed interest in 1960s and 1970s style over the decades since.
Here’s a look back to when the go-go boot was fresh on the fashion scene for the first time ever.
Go-go boots & other high boots for women going mainstream (1970)
Article from The Columbia Record (Columbia, South Carolina) November 30, 1970
Boots have moved out of the mud puddle into the mainstream of fashion.
They’re seen as often these days in sunshine as in bad weather, and they go from parties to the office to football games to the grocery store.
“We’ve sold boots as long as I can remember,” said Henry Webb, buyer for the women’s shoe department of a local store. “That’s about 15 years. But sales have gotten progressively better as the manufacturers have come up with better styles and fit.
“Now most people have gotten the idea that it doesn’t have to be freezing for them to wear boots. Boots accessorize and give a look that can’t be achieved with other footwear.”
In spite of the theory that boots make the midi, Webb doesn’t feel that the advent of longer-length skirts has made much difference to boot buyers.
“We haven’t figured out yet how the ready-to-wear styles can affect our sales,” he said. “The first boots that were really big, the ‘go-go boots,’ were worn with very short skirts, and people seem to want to wear boots with just about everything now.”
Boots come in all colors, heights, materials and designs, but some are definitely more popular than others.
“Far and away the best selling boot is vinyl stretch with 12-8ths to 14-8ths inch heel,” Webb said. “The reason vinyl is so good is that most women, although they don’t buy their boots for bad weather, will want to wear them in bad weather. So they want something that will take spots well.
They may like suede, but when it comes right down to buying, they’ll think about clean-ability.”
The most popular heights for boots range from mid-calf to just below the knee, and colors in order of popularity include brown, black, white, navy and red.
ALSO SEE: See some far out vintage 70s fashions for teen girls
Two boot styles that have been popular nationally, but have not done well in South Carolina, according to Webb, are the cobra skin design and the lace-up or “granny” boot.
“It seems as if the plainer the boot, the more acceptable it is,” he said.
One reason for this may be that in spite of the fact that many boot styles are no more expensive than shoes, most women seem to feel that two pair are enough for one wardrobe. Therefore they can get more use out of a basic style that will go with many different outfits.
“There’re some styles that we didn’t get much of a reaction on earlier that are picking up now, though,” said Webb. “And all indications are that next year will be even better than this one, bootwise.”
ALSO SEE: Get the look: Popular 70s shoes that are back in style
Vintage Bootino short & go-go boots from the sixties (1963)
Zippered retro go-go boots in 4 colors from 1967
ALSO SEE: These vintage 1960s shoes for women were fashionable & far out
Retro two-sided Hush Puppies women’s tall boots with laces (1971)
Looks on the outside. Comfort on the inside. When Hush Puppies make a boot, they really make a boot.
Look them over. Picture yourself in any one of them. You can wear them for hours and hardly know you’ve got them on. We think you’ll love ’em.
ALSO SEE: Cozy 60s fashion: 100 swoon-worthy vintage sweaters you could still wear today
The great put-on: Shiny black Gold Seal fashion go-go boots (1968)
Step one: Step into The Great Boots by Gold Seal. The fashion boots for the here and now. Tall and tight and slim. So they become you — like taut young skin. Boots to swagger in. Strut in. Boots to take a stand in. Stand out in.
The Great Boots come in all the right styles and colors. For you to come on strong in. Step two: Put on some other clothes. Step three: Step out. You’re in.
Stretch vinyl boots: Slinky fashion drama in three heights (1968)
Waterproof Bootinos go-go boots in black (1969)
Vintage 70s Bootinos waterproof go-go boots (1971)
Waterproof Bootinos let you plunge into puddles. Walk in the rain or slush or snow — and still look tremendously fashiony.
Which only goes to show you don’t have to put up with cold wet feet to be fashionable or be forced to wear those clunky old uglies to keep dry.
Waterproof Bootinos are waterproof up to the zipper and come in all the new year’s styles and colors. “Corinne” in soft, supple deep brown Vynarich is just one of the slinky slim, leg-hugging boots from the sensational Waterproof Bootinos’ collection for 1971.
So put on your Waterproof Bootinos (look for the word waterproof on the box) and don’t let the weather stop you from doing your own thing.
Women wearing thigh-high black boots in 1970
Vintage white go-go boots from 1972
Knee-high, shiny white go go boots are the perfect complement to a micro mini party dress circa the early 70s.
Vintage stretch vinyl boots from 1969
Three steps to shapely leg beauty: Stretch vinyl boots to wear over the foot
1 and 2: Leather-look vinyl uppers. The look and fed of luxurious leather .. with the smooth fit of stretch vinyl. Full inside zippers. Ribbed composition soles for slip-resistance. 1-1/2-inch simulated stacked heels add a special zing. 15 inches high.
3: Shiny-look patent vinyl upper. Slick and slinky… long and leggy. Easy to slip on and off .. clings like a glove. Composition sole, 1-in. heel. 16 in. high.
4 and 5: Over-the-foot boots, styled with sleek simplicity to take you everywhere. Full inside zippers. Acrilan acrylic pile linings. Ribbed composition soles and 1-inch heels. 12 inches high. Rich leather upper or Smooth vinyl upper.
6: Italian import with leather upper A Crafted with famed Italian bootmanship .. to wear over the foot. Soft, supple upper lined with cushioned nylon tricot lining. Full inside zipper. Composition sole, 1-1/4 inch heel, 14 inches high.
2 Responses
I had a pair of the 1972 white lace up crinkle “leather”boots and LOVED them. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
I have a pair of go go boots. I would love to find out who the maker of the boot is? It has a very unusual stamp on the inside that is totally late 60s. Very groovie!