Dye these? - YouLookFab Forum

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Dye these?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I put these ancient Frye taupe boots in my donate/sell pile, but I’m rethinking that, since 1) slouchy tall boots are making a comeback, and 2) I’ve had the idea of dyeing them.

(I think I misspoke and called these suede on Angie’s blog comments — they’re actually a rough distressed leather.)

The taupe doesn’t really play well with my current wardrobe. But I’m thinking of dyeing them black and design if that makes them more wearable. I recall them being comfortable. And they could still come in handy for tucking skinny jeans in winter.

Any tips for DIY dyeing something this big? Worth the effort? Do they look too dated? I don’t see this harness style around much anymore... What do you think?

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24 replies

Latest reply was from Jaime

Gail

Veteran

Yes I vote to try to dye. I dyed a pair of booties several years ago and they came out fine. The key was to use some special primer and treat them first. I got mine from a shoe repair place when I went to ask for help. If the boots have a distressed look anyway it probably wouldn't have to be perfect. They are a classic Frye and if they're comfy ......

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yes to dying them if they are comfortable.

Anonymous

One thing that may be problematic, is the harness bit. When I tarragoed my snowboots, I had to unbuckle the buckle to get underneath it-and yours probably don't come off. I just used the shoe cream, and didn't do any summer shoes, so I don't guarantee the longevity. Will report back!

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Anonymous

Frye boots are to dye for -- so yes (sorry for the pun). Those are classics!

Jane

Veteran

Absolutely dye! I’ve had good successes with dyeing shoes. They will look super I’m sure.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Go for it!I m all for a home dye job and if it means you will get more wear out of them it’s worth it.

Style Fan

Veteran

Yes! Fryes are the best. I am still wearing my Frye Harness Boots.

Runcarla

Veteran

You can do a home dye job, but you might also have it done at the cobblers.

Gigi

Veteran

I would probably vote for getting it done at the cobbler's. They know all the ins and outs of this stuff and can save you from making a mistake.

To me, the design on the side is outside of trends, so I wouldn't worry about the boots ever looking dated.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I’ve done tall boots, a leather jacket and a handbag with Tarrago so I think that would work fine. It will probably take a few applications if you want to completely change the colour (to black). Something to think about - what if you just made a subtle change to the colour? Say, more grey or more brown/bronze? You might find that takes less work and gives a better result in terms of longevity. I think a patina effect would work well with this style of boot, so you wouldn’t have to worry about perfect coverage over every part of the boot.

Alicewonderland

Veteran

Frye harness are classic and don’t go out of style. Maybe check with Frye about what polishes they have. I have a leather conditioner from them that turns my boots significantly darker, especially the rough distressed leather.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, everyone!

I like the idea of maybe going darker grey, like a deep charcoal that reads soft black, rather than trying to make them super dark black. With the distressed finish, I think that would keep them true to the original vibe. I’ll probably attempt a DIY — I think I can handle it!

karen13

Veteran

Please share the results - I find restyling items to be appealing on so many levels. Frugal, ecological and crafty.

Kate

Veteran

I’ve dyed boots and shoes, and it’s pretty easy. Go for it.

The Cat

Veteran

I like your idea of dying them deep charcoal / soft black. I think this colour will be great for these boots and make them very versatile.

Chris987

Veteran

Would suggest you make sure you have good access to the leather under the straps...to get an even look. Not sure how they are constructed but you might need to use a q-tip or similar to get the dye under the straps

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Update: My cobbler wants $75 to dye them black. I think I may try a DIY.

I also have a cute pair of suede oxfords (Anna Sui for Hush Puppy) that I've had for years, but they are black and a little too boring in black, so I'm thinking of dyeing them another color -- burgundy? Grey? I'll report back, someday, when I get around to it, LOL.

cindysmith

Veteran

Girl, if they're comfortable, DYE THEM ALREADY
LOL
Seriously, they're a great looking boot, and if the color is the only "issue", then dying them is probably a bit less costly than new Frye boots, no?

Gail

Veteran

Go for it on both , you have nothing to lose if you're not wearing them as they are .

Joy

Veteran

Dye. Just watch . Taupe will be THE color next fall. But stick to a color you know that you will wear. Frye’s seem to be classic.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Janet, here's a link to a post I made about a similar dyeing project. It was fun, though I will say I didn't wear these shoes very much even after I dyed them. I still have them, though, because I do like them. My caution to you would be--if you are going for actual two-step dye process like what I did and not the paint-on kind--is that there is a lot more leather to do in your boots than what I did. It will be a much bigger project.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Sharan, that’s a great dye project! Yes, I’d be in for a couple of bottles of dye, a couple of applications, and probably a messy, long process. But I’m not sure I want to pay $75 for the experiment to see if I’ll wear them more — which I expect I will. I just don’t have anything taupe anymore. LOL Joy, I guess I’ll take that chance. Regardless of trend, I *always* wear black!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Just checked my bottles. I used about 2/3 of the bottle of dye preparer and 1/3 of the bottle of dye, fyi.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Try the dye !