The History and Comeback of Gogo Boots

Gogo boots are knee high boots that typically have a high heel and sit on a platform, made from patent leather or vinyl. They are most commonly white, but can also look quite chic in other colors, such as black or taupe. They can even be used as statement boots in colors that make a pop, such as red or royal blue, when worn with with an outfit of solid or simple colors.

Gogo boots were a common staple throughout the sixties and most of the seventies, though the first versions were a bit different than the ones we wear today. At first, they didn’t have the high heel or the platform. Before the sixties, they were only thought of as a boot meant to be worn when working.

Gogo boots were designed by Andre Courreges in 1964, in a futuristic and modern collection which he fittingly titled, “Moon Girl”. The collection was a monochromatic color palette of white. It featured then fashion forward styles of a-line and drop waist skirts and dresses. It of course also promoted his new flat heeled, white, knee high boot, the first ever gogo boot. These boots were an immediate hit and were thought of as fashion genius.

In no time, they made their way to the runways of Paris, Milan, London, and of course, New York. These boots got their name after being worn by dancers on live music dance shows in the sixties. These dancers discovered the contrast of comfort and ease between these new boots and the uncomfortable high heels they were used to wearing. They are thought to have gotten their name from the show, Hollywood a Go-Go.

Gogo boots first became incredibly popular in London, and you can’t think of English mod fashion without thinking of them. They crossed the pond after being encouraged by the Beatles, who greatly endorsed them.

They appealed to everyone, regardless of fashion sense or social status. Gogo boots were though of as new and space age. They implemented confidence and cleanliness into every outfit. These boots made seemingly common girls look and feel like movie stars, dancers, and singers. They were worn by waitresses and flight attendants. By professional business women and actresses and cheerleaders, and so on. Many common known women of pop culture wore these boots, such as Talitha Getty, and many designers implemented them, such as Mary Quant.

Of course, you have to give a nod to Nancy Sinatra - it is because of her that they will forever be remembered. Her 1966 single, These Boots are Made for Walking, is naturally thought to be a tribute to the boots that she featured, and she went on to make them a regular staple of her dress. This one song had an incredibly lasting impact on the girls and women of the era. The lyrics and melody instilled confidence and empowerment on the female listener, which is what makes it perhaps one of the first and greatest feminist anthems to exist. It sold nearly four million copies, and while this specific version of gogo boots didn’t last much longer than a few seasons, variations of the boot never truly went out of style.

Nowadays, many elements of style from the sixties and seventies have been beginning to come back. For example, wide leg and flare jeans are a timeless trend that have recently been reinstated to their rightful place in the fashion community. Gogo boots have finally begun to make their comeback as well, after a long time on the shelf.

Celebrities such as Hailey Bieber, Sophie Turner, Margot Robbie, and Jennifer Lopez have all been spotted sporting this chic trend. Gogo boots are also returning to the runway, as Dior, Versace, and Au Jour Le Jour have featured these in their shows already, to name a few brands. This confirms recent suspicions that these boots will be an atomically necessary trend of 2022/2023.

Sources

• https://groovyhistory.com/go-go-boots-history-1960s

• http://ecosalon.com/history-of-go-go-boots/