Are Go-Go Boots Really Making a Comeback?

Image Credit: Mabalu on Wikimedia Commons

An article in Marie Claire this past fall claimed that, “White go-go boots are making a surprise comeback, so break out the disco ball.” The article cited the release of "Mamma Mia 2" as a catalyst for the return of the trend, yet since the release of the film almost nine months ago, I personally haven’t seen a rise in white leather boots being worn. So, I set out to figure out whether or not this trend prediction had been fulfilled.

When I talked to students on campus, most of them agreed: go-go boots are not the latest trend.

Jordan Bryant, a sophomore marketing major and president of MasTERPiece, a fashion business club on campus, offered her thoughts on the topic.

“I feel like in a sense they are,” she said. “Platform boots are popular and many of the styles look similar to go-go boots.”

Other students, however, were not so sure.

“Millenials and Gen X are only taking bits and pieces from the old trend to make their new fashion statements,” said sophomore communications major Meagan Norton.

Most students suggested trying a modified version of the trend that stayed more modern, rather than choosing the classic boots from the disco era.

“The short style would be a good investment, I don’t know about the tall ones,” said freshman public relations major Izzy Maizes.

After consulting a few students, I looked through fashion pages, shoe websites and Pinterest to try to see if the go-go boot was on anyone’s mind.

Here’s what I concluded:

The go-go boot has not made a comeback. But, the go-go boot has served as the inspiration for the true fashion trend we’re seeing: statement booties.

Short, chunky heel boots, often featuring patterns, studs or other style elements, have been all over social media and fashion sites.

In fact, Glamour came out with an article last month listing the most popular boot trends for the spring. While none of them are explicitly Mamma Mia-style go-go boots, a lot of them are reminiscent of the trends of the late 1960s.

Here are some of the best styles to try this spring:

Pale, snakeskin stays trendy while also lightening things up for spring! These sock-style booties from Public Desire have a thick heel and keep the go-go style with a modern twist.

Image credit, Public Desire

As freshman journalism major Elizabeth Scinta says, “I think white boots are coming back, but not go-go boots.”

These Rebecca Minkoff flat, white booties forgo the heel but are simple and stylish enough to wear with many different outfits. They’re great for traveling, since the lack of a heel makes them easy to walk around in.

Image credit: Shopbop

If you’re really the bold type, you can go for these clear Steve Madden heels, that double as a boot.

“I’ve talked to my mom about this and she says yes,” says Aahna Ghosh, freshman government and politics major, about trying new styles. “As many times as I doubt her… I find myself wearing the item I doubted a few months later!”

The clear look has been made popular by many celebrities, including Kim Kardashian. Either layer with fun socks or wear on your own!