Over in the U.K. in the 1960s Dominatrices started a trend with "kinky boots". The boots that were worn by Dominatrices and in the fetish clubs started making their way into mainstream fashion. Kinky boots were designed to be vivid and striking. They were usually tight, thigh-high and made from latex or leather in an assortment of colors. As the popularity of the stiletto heel faded out, the heels of these boots became wider and varied in height. These fashions evolved into the go-go boots that have become one of the many symbols of that era here in the states. Fashion evolved further to include new and different styles of boots such as the platforms of the 1970s. Throughout the decades that followed many more styles of footwear were created. In the ‘90s boots became less popular with the mainstream, in favor of open-toed heels and sandals. The fetish underground still favored the old styles; stiletto-heeled boots were, and still are, the standard. With the emergence of the goth culture there was a cross-influence on fetish fashion and some boots mimic the various styles these cultures had created. You can find boots with straps, zippers and chains on the feet of many club goers these days. They come in every heel size from thin stiletto to 9 in. platforms. Along with this trend there is a fondness of military era style boots. These styles are found in the fetish scene as well as the goth and industrial music scene due to the common interest between both groups.
Boots play a big part in military costume fetish, which started in the gay leather community. In the 1940s after WWII the gay leather subculture began, and it's believed to have started in the post war motorcycle clubs, which were anti-establishment and had a fondness for rebellion. Many men fetishized military uniforms and that included the boots. Leather eventually became the main clothing these men wore due to its durability and the protection it offered if a guy fell off his bike. Boots were also worn with the leather clothing and have changed styles throughout the years. These days you can see a joining of WWII military style uniforms with leather and latex making them more fetishistic, however some enjoy the original styles because they're a real representation of what their fetish is.
Stay tuned because Part 2 is coming next week!
