Boot decision to be made - need your help!

I am getting to the real pointy end of my boot search. The contenders are Frye Jane 14L in Taupe or Redwood or J Crew Vintage Roadster in Sepia and I need your help in trying to make a decision. Both of these boots fit my bill size wise (minimum 15" shaft width & max 15" shaft height) and the price seems right for both of them. I already have 1 pair of boots in my wardrobe which are a darker brown and slouchy so I'm looking for something a bit different to fill the gap. I need to be 100% sure of waht I'm getting because shipping to Australia is kind of expensive! These are the things I need to consider before jumping in with the purchase:

Frye Jane
The Taupe is on special through Amazon for $200 and in my regular size 8. The Redwood is $185.99 through ebay and is a size 8.5 (half a size larger than my normal) which may be an advantage for me being a touch bigger in the calf but dont know if it will then be too big on the footbed? The redwood color is probably also good for bookending with my red hair. I know the quality of Frye's get mentioned alot so I am gathering these are going to be boots that I will be keeping for a while? If either size happens to be a bit snug in the calf do you think a bit of professional stretching would be successful? My only other concern is regarding their slightly cowboy boot style, do you think they would be hard to style?

J Crew Vintage Roadster
Flat boot which is what I had in mind, but no zip closure. These are through Ebay for $189.99 and again they are half a size larger than my normal size. Dont know what the quality of these boots are like and also if these are good value or not?

Sorry about the essay, so if you've managed to stay awake to this part I'd love to hear your opinions!

15 years ago

Kate

Veteran

The all LOOK great! I think that ultimately fit will matter a lot, and boots can be tricky. I've purchased two pairs of boots online that I couldn't return (and many many more that I could return). The ones I kept are a tad big, so I wear heavy socks with them so that they fit just right. The other pair were a bit too small, and I ended up reselling them because they just weren't comfortable. So if you're going to make a gamble, I agree with going up a half size.

I tried on a pair of Fryes before and they were horribly stiff and uncomfortable. I couldn't imagine spending hundreds of dollars on the pair I tried on. If there's any way at all for you to try the boots before buying them I highly recommend it. Perhaps you could order them through endless or zappos (and take advantage of the free returns) - it could save you a lot of money and frustration later on.

Good luck on your quest! I know what a pain boot shopping can be, but finding the perfect pair is SO worth it!

Deborah

I agree, they all look good! And it looks like you know what style of boot you want. I have only once bought boots on line... and I am waiting for them to arrive so I have no experience to speak off yet so I would go along with Kate's advice. I think how hard the boots will be to style depends on your overall style and the look you are going for. I am partial to the redwood colour and think the "bookending" with your hair colour would work well. Good luck

Julie

I have a pair of the Frye Janes, and yes they are a bit stiff at first, but the leather is top quality and softens and molds to your shape before too long. The quality is top notch, and I know people who have Fryes that are 25 years old or more, and still going. If you like both pairs equally, the Fryes will win on quality every time.

Cheers
Julie

modgrl

(website)

I think I have the same measurements as you and I have been searching for a pair of great black riding boots for a while. I like the Jane's but I didn't want a heel. I really wanted a more flat riding style. I ended up getting the J. Crew Brewster, which also has an extended calf like the J. Crew boots above. They arrived yesterday and they are just perfect. The leather is very nice, somewhat stiff on the outside (which is what I wanted because I am after a long lean line), but lined with butter soft leather. Also, the bottoms are rubber and have traction which I really like. They look fine with a skirt but perfect with skinny jeans.

celia

I prefer the Frye ones.The taupe color looks a bit dark on my screen and I don't think you would feel that they are more diferent than the ones you currently have, although yours are slouchy.Maybe it's just me but we come to a certain point in winter when brown boots are brown boots no matter if they are darker, lighter , slouchy or not, they are brown boots.
And the point you make about the red ones bookending your hair is a very good point.
So my vote goes to the red Frye Janes.
I cannot speak about Fryes in particular but sometiems boots are a bit thight around the calf and if they are leather you can take them to the cobler(that's what you call it right) and you can get that little extra space.

rae

I really, really like the Frye's in Redwood. I have not tried this particular style but, FWIW, my last pair of Frye's were a half size larger than my normal size as well.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I vote the Frye Janes!

puffenstuff

Thanks for the helpful feedback everyone! I've been thinking more and more about the Frye Jane in Redwood, because I have a fairly short boot wearing season I would like to have something different to what I already have. The Frye's seem a little more dressy to me as well which I dont really have with my current boots (pic below)

So these are in the lead at the moment, any other opinions to share?

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Mellllls

i def. think you should go with the frye's over the jcrew ones because they are such a better quality and more versatile. my aesthetic preference is for the taupe but the redwood might be interesting with your hair. and if you already have taupe then....

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