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The Miniskirt

One of the most noteworthy pieces of clothing that stirred a craze for women in the 1960’s was the miniskirt. Launched by Mary Quant, the miniskirt was a young, fun, fashionable skirt that rose above the knees. The miniskirt allowed girls to be able to show a little more skin giving them a sense of freedom and relaxation. Youth culture was able to express themselves with this short but sweet skirt which also lead to the beginnings of the women’s liberation movement. Still, the miniskirt was not enough to push women’s liberation forward because it had little to no effect in transforming the way women were perceived. People would think that “a pretty girl in a miniskirt wasn’t expected to say anything intelligent.”

Pair of white kid leather go-go boots by André Courrèges, 1965

Go-Go Boots

Shoewear that helped complete the miniskirt look included go-go boots. Go-go boots came in different colors and leg lengths, but the main styles worn were white/black and at a mid-calf length. The originator of these stylish boots is said to have been French designer, André Courrèges, in 1964. It is possible that André introduced these boots into his fashions in response to the similarly structured black Chelsea boots that were preferred by other designers including Mary Quant.

Originally seen in go-go bars and discotheques, the boots were given more recognition in 1966 by singer Nancy Sinatra with her famous song, “These Boots are Made for Walkin'.” The song entitles a woman finding out that her significant other is being false-hearted with her followed by the empowering line, “one of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you.” With this song, Sinatra was able to make go-go boots a real representation of woman’s power and independence.