Go-Go boots, which were generally referred to as Kinky boots in the UK, were created in the 1960s with the intention that they should be worn while dancing (including, but not limited to, go-go dancing). The term is said to have been originated by André Courrèges, who made a white, low-heeled boot, rising a bit above the ankles.

The term go-go boot is often used to define all types of fashion boots for women, usually knee-high boots. This kind of boot may be worn with a miniskirt or dress, but also with trousers, which can be tucked into the boots if they are tight or worn over them if they have a boot cut. During the 1960s and even today, go-go boots are thought to be a form of female empowerment.

Knee-high boots are boots that rise to the knee, or slightly thereunder. They are generally tighter around the leg shaft and ankle than at the top. Mostly made of a synthetic rubber (PVC etc.), they are used by fishermen, dairy workers, stable hands, duck hunters, clammers, etc. to protect the feet from water, mud, manure, etc. and to provide traction on slippery surfaces. Most slip on, but there are varieties with buckles and those that lace up.

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ABBA

Knee-high boots have existed in the fashion world since at least the 1950s, but they came into their own in the 1960s, riding on the popularity of go-go boots. Fashion knee-high boots come in all materials, leather and rubber seem to be by far the most popular choice, and black is a frequent color. Many have a zipper closure. Furthermore, most varieties of knee-high boots have a substantial heel built into them.

The boot can be made from different material ranging from latex, leather to spandex. Boots made from spandex will be tight on the leg, pulled on with no zipper. Leather or latex are also tight, but have a zipper on the inseam for ease of fit.

Kinky boots are boots with extreme characteristics which are intended to present a dramatic sexy appearance. Extreme characteristics might include very high heels, thigh- or crotch-high length, or unusual colors or materials. The term kinky boots was coined in the UK in the early 1960s when high boots, which had previously been worn in the 'underground' fetish and sadomasochistic world, broke into mainstream female fashion. The term 'kinky' thus became applied to the boots that were worn by women because of their previous association with S&M.

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The original "Kinky Boots" were calf to knee length pull on black leather boots with 3-4 inch heels and pointed toes. This was the kind of boot worn by Honor Blackman (Cathy Gale) and Diana Rigg (Emma Peel) in the original Avengers television series; Honor Blackman and Patrick McNee (John Steed) cut a single record called "Kinky Boots" which hit the UK charts at that time. "Kinky boot beasts" make a brief appearance in the Sea of Monsters sequence in the 1968 Beatles' movie Yellow Submarine.

Go-Go boots were soon available in other colours, white being popular, and all heel heights. From the mid 1960s onwards, the stiletto went out of fashion and calf and even thigh boots with lower thick heels or even flat heels came into fashion. Nancy Sinatra wore go-go boots and help popularise them in the US with her song, "These Boots Are Made For Walking".

Boots are such a staple female fashion these days, the term 'Kinky boots' is now usually only used for the original type of boot that gave rise to the term in the first place - very high stiletto boots, generally of thigh length and in either black or white or bright shiny colours.

1960s/70s boots photo gallery

Go Go boots weren't easy to do up tightly and evenly, but somewhere along the way someone discovered that the task was made easier by leaning up against a wall with one's feet up in the air. It was not uncommon to see numerous girls lacing their boots in this manner in the passageways of high schools in the 1970s.

In the 1970s, Southwest Airlines in the US experienced a dramatic jump in ticket sales when its flight attendants start wearing white go-go boots and hot pants. The airline adopted a new motto to match (”Sex sells seats”) and begins serving in-flight drinks with names like Passion Punch and Love Potion. Not to be outdone, TWA follows suit in 1971, sending its attendants into the air wearing Valentino designed hot pants.