Go-Gos make the world go round

In my opinion to be a true diva one must possess three key elements: Hair as huge as your ego, an ungodly amount of sparkles on 90% of your clothing, and a signature boot, which brings us to the star of this piece.

The “Go-Go” boot was the supreme choice of footwear hot enough to set any runway disguised as a sidewalk ablaze. These boots were the ultimate accessory for the spotlight whether you were getting paid to be seen, or just wanted to feel like you were.

My favorite trends are ones that cause the collective to reminisce about a certain time in history without anyone feeling excluded from it. High fashion has not always mastered the art of inclusivity, but in this case what started as a luxury for the “ haves “ in society became impossible to hide from the masses. The first Go-Gos were made of patent leather, then included vinyl options for a lower price tag. Affordability was the bridge that eventually spread Gogo fever to the entire nation.

Prior to the 1960s, boots were seen as a symbol of working class people. Nobody could fathom wearing this item as an edgy fashion statement until French designer Andre Courreges invented his “ Moon girl” collection.

The tall, white, patent leather boots were inspired by a futuristic galactic aesthetic and could be seen as a premonition for the imagined future of modern earth.

Many things propelled Go-go boots to instant icon status whether it be some choice named divas rocking a pair ( I see you Pam Grier), the British culture invasion, or a desire to embody the fantasy of being a “ spy girl, disco queen or a space Martian.

What really placed this item in perfect alignment with the decade was Nancy Sinatra’s anthem called “ These boots are made for walkin”. The song catapulted Go-go boots into the limelight by associating these shoes with empowerment, style, and class with a dash of attitude.

After exiting the modest style of popular 50s fashion Go-Go boots promoted a more innocent way to be “sexy”. As hemlines shrunk, the long length of the boots gave off the air of subtlety with rebellion. This also made it a popular choice among teens who might not be allowed to participate in “ risque” fashion.

The rising popularity of dancing shows on television encouraged the younger generation to count on the media to let them know what was trendy and fresh. One in particular called “ Hollywood A-Go-Go” might have been partially responsible for the coined name of this shoe. Dancing, fun, and light heartedness is exuded in club culture. By becoming a staple of “ going out and dancing comfortably” people felt a freedom while wearing Go-Gos to dance longer than they did while wearing heels.

I imagine myself in my 20s in the 70s, spinning on top of a shiny platform, as disco lights dance off my hips, and my go-go boots glisten under their spell. The 1970s is by far my favorite decade, but I am an old soul that was born too young. While I have not had the opportunity to snag a pair for myself, the go-go boot is the trend that lives in my day dreams and brings out my inner fantasies. I wish my mother had a hand me down pair I could snag, or that one day while getting lost in a sea of clothes at the thrift store I could have my perfect eureka moment and erect a pair from a wrinkled pile, but none of these things seem to be in my foreseeable future. So I wait for the stars to align giving me a fair chance to wear them in a bubble bath, at the club, or even the grocery store when I am a little parched for attention.