A specific metaphor used in " Life without go-go boots" is the mentioning of a potato salad, which has a very short shelf life. This metaphor is used to compare it with fashion trends that also have a very short "life". In fact, the main theme of the story is that following trends is useless and senseless because they change constantly and they make people waste their lives. In the story, Barbara, the main character, is obsessed with fashion trends and her mother tries to show her how pointless is her obsession because fashion trends are temporary.
