Let’s Go-Go

Janet Surma
Nov 2 · 5 min read

These boots are in!

A necessity.


White ankle boots with a three inch heel placed on the grass surrounded by fall leaves.
White ankle boots with a three inch heel placed on the grass surrounded by fall leaves.
My white ankle boots

My white boots are one of my favorite shoes I own. I got them for Christmas in 2018, and finally got to show case them off when I got back to school in January.

At first, I got A LOT of stares, but then again, that’s nothing unusual to me, since I do wear a good amount of different clothing. This didn’t phase me though, because I love this style, and I love this boot!

So, let’s dive into the first white boot, which has allowed me to create such unique looks 60 years later.


1960’s

During the mid-60’s, go-go boots were introduced. They were white, had a low heel, and were worn at mid-calf or knee-high.

Go-go boots gained their most popularity when Nancy Sinatra released “These Boots Are Made for Walkin,” her number one song. Her music video drew attention to go-go boots, both from the lyrics, and the boots worn on the women in the video.

Sinatra can be seen wearing go-go boots on the cover of Boots: Nancy Sinatra’s All-Time Hits.

A red vinyl cover with the title “Boots” in yellow with Nancy Sinatra sitting down in a white dress with go-go boots on.
A red vinyl cover with the title “Boots” in yellow with Nancy Sinatra sitting down in a white dress with go-go boots on.
(Photo from groovyhistory.com)

1970’s

After Sinatra featured go-go boots in her hit song, these boots were at their peak of prevalence.

They were commonly worn with miniskirts or dresses.

A black and white photo of a women wearing a stripped dress with go-go boots while riding a unicycle.
A black and white photo of a women wearing a stripped dress with go-go boots while riding a unicycle.
(Photo from flashbak.com)

The 70’s were a time when go-go boots were as popular as they’ve ever been, but it didn’t last forever.

2007

What could’ve possibly happened during this random year that involves go-go boots?

Halloween 2007 is what happened.

I was in third grade, and dressed up as candy corn. I wore a white, orange, and yellow dress, with a blonde wig and puffy hat. To finish off this look for my eight-year-old self, I wore knee-high go-go boots. Clearly, the boots were only for costume purposes, but it was the first time I ever saw and wore such a boot.

I don’t think I enjoyed them as much as I do now, considering how uncomfortable I look in this photo. Yikes.

Me at 8 years old wearing a candy corn Halloween costume with knee-high go-go boots.
Me at 8 years old wearing a candy corn Halloween costume with knee-high go-go boots.
Halloween 2007

2019

Are go-go boots even called go-go boots in 2019? I’m not too sure about that, so from here on out, I’m just going to refer to them as “white boots.”

Where to get them

  • DSW
  • Amazon
  • Boohoo
  • Forever 21
  • Macy’s

The boots I got for Christmas were white Madden Girls from DSW. I’m not sure if they are still selling the same boot, but they have plenty that are extremely similar. In particular, I found one pair from their website that I think are really cute, and they have a studded trim, which gives a little extra flare.

Amazon has a more classic selection, which includes chunky heeled all white boots, and knee-high boots.

White ankle boots with a white heel.
White ankle boots with a white heel.
Ankle high boots (Photo from amazon.com)

To view more white boots and where to get them, check out this website! The boots shown are very expensive, if you’re looking to buy, but I only like this site so you can have an idea of what styles are in.

What to wear with them

Like I previously stated, go-go boots were worn with miniskirts or dresses.

I still think these are the best outfits to wear with white boots, because it’s the easiest way to show off what type of shoe you’re wearing. Typically, I wear skirts and dresses with my white boots. If these looks aren’t for you, there are other routes you can take as well.

As seen below, I was able to wear my white boots with a pair of striped, flared pants.

Me wearing a white top with black flarred pants with colored stripes and white ankle boots.
Me wearing a white top with black flarred pants with colored stripes and white ankle boots.
Myself wearing a hot pink mini dress with white ankle boots, and my friend next to me wearing a sleeveless black dress.
Myself wearing a hot pink mini dress with white ankle boots, and my friend next to me wearing a sleeveless black dress.
White boots worn with pants & with a mini dress

White boots could also go well with rolled up jeans, or you can tuck them into any type of dressy pant.

For more ways to style your white boots…


Thoughts

The classic, black ankle boot isn’t all I wear anymore. I have pushed them aside, even though I still have three pairs that all look alike, and made way for white boots.

White boots stand out, are unique, and have the ability to create amazing fashion statements.

A really big point I would like to make about these boots is don’t worry about them getting dirty! I’m iffy when it comes to buying white clothing and shoes, because they are so susceptible to dirt. I have scuffed my boots many times, and even had marks on them right before I took their photo that introduces my post. I was able to clean them up just by using some water on a rag. It works every time.

Don’t be hesitant to buy these boots. They have completely changed my fall and winter styles, and I’m so happy about that.

Are you willing to give them a try?

Janet Surma

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Journalism & Fashion. A look into older styles and beauty products that are becoming trendy and popular again.