When the girl-group appeared on stage with mini skirts and twanging strings, the boys on the dance floor with their pint of beer in hand, were goggling at pink flesh on display. They were hardly listening to the guitar music that the band was belting out.
This scene was common in the mid-60s when Mary Quant made her fortune and the mini-dress found its own energy as acceptable female toga both on the entertainment scene and on the streets. From the Liverpool clubs in England to the Lost Horizon in Singapore, the ladies were liberated at last.
Simultaneously, when the skirts became shorter, ladies' boots became longer and these knee-length footwear became the next fashion icon. Although female boots had been in existence long ago, paired with the short skirt, both slithered their way to a uniquely sensual combination. Knee-length socks too made their comeback.
Taking advantage of the trend, who should come sauntering round in February 66 but the daughter of 'ole blue-eyes'. Sultry Sinatra strutted, sang, showed off her legs and insisted that These Boots Are Made For Walking.
Nancy became the pop icon that year and the song soared to the top of the charts both in the US and internationally, gaining recognition as the boots walked right up to South Vietnam to entertain the servicemen there.
These outfits were truly attractive and sensational, especially when they were first introduced in Singapore and worn by our Asian girl-groups. In the 70s when discotheques charmed our island, night-clubs would have witnessed the sequinned version that created Night Fever as they sparkled and shimmered under disco and strobe lights. John Travolta's white suit remained in the shadows.
So whatever the colour combination, whether it's white with red boots, shining silver throughout, florals on white with white boots or just jet black like Nancy's, these girls looked resplendent and held the stage all the way (images).
Finally here's a message to the youths of today. If you think your K-Pop girls (Korean-pop) with their minis and boots are sexy, you should have seen our girls in the 60s. They were the originals. Cheers everyone... And bottoms up!
Images: 1 You Tube screen grab Nancy Sinatra. 2 The Reynettes, Hong Kong Pop Group. 3 The Idaly Sisters at the Lost Horizon, Singapore. 4 Mimi n Taiwan 5 Petal Girls, Taiwan Pop Group. Thanks to all the generous You Tube contributors with their videos and images.
Original article: Andy Lim.
