Fryes arrived in right size; but so butch! - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Shopping

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Fryes arrived in right size; but so butch!

minimalist

Veteran

Half-sized up, these feel a lot better than they did in my standard size.

But since ordering them, I'd been thinking about going with Allen Edmonds lace-up boots. Compared to those, these are *so* clunky! Then again, so am I right now, so maybe the proportions are right.

Pro: I need every millimeter I can get, and these add some height without feeling high
Con: kinda frugly
Pro: lots better looking than the beat-up steel-toed Sanitas I'm *still* wearing as everyday shoe
Con: air where arch support should be, will need inserts (there's room)
Pro: optically, for my occasional office cameos I don't want to upgrade much above the hideous clogs; I couldn't wear AEs on days when I might need to stop by work

Your thoughts?

The feline terrorist is requesting an outing, so we're off to do some returns.

This post has 4 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Shopping

21 replies

Latest reply was from Von

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

The lug sole with the stitching and the chunky heel is quite... robust and work-boot-y. I don't think it's a bad look, but you may be looking for something a bit more versatile. (Side note: I find with boots like this that are nearly classic work boots, a lower heel looks better. Just my opinion, but a higher heel just looks like a weird juxtaposition, whereas a nearly flat heel looks like "yeah, I'm wearing steel-toed boots, what of it?".)

deb

Veteran

They look like they would last a looooong time.
Wear forever boots.

Thistle

Veteran

You don't sound like you love them, and Fryes are not inexpensive to "make do" with while you find the perfect boot.

I say return and keep looking.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

They are kinda clunky in a cool way ... I guess. But I see what you mean by butch. They look sturdy, like deb pointed out, too, if that's something you're concerned about.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I like the style, but it's a distinctly clompy kind of look that I think you've got to really own. It doesn't sound like this style is quite what you were looking for. I'd keep looking for something that makes you say, "yes! that's it!"--even if you don't exactly know what it is yet. Like Thistle and deb, I see these as a substantial boot that will last a long time (and the price of Fryes reflects that), so I'd be concerned about having a boot that I wasn't crazy about hanging around my closet for a long time because it doesn't wear out--ha ha!

unfrumped

Veteran

I think there are other "comfortable" and stable boots out there that do not look so clunky. Not sure what your feet require to be happy--e.g., generous toe box vs. stable chunky heel vs laceup for snug fit vs all or different or more. With these you've got all of several chunky-clunky factors engaged and in a less refined way than some brands.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

It's all a question of style preferences. If these feel too butch - opt for a more refined version.

Gigi

Veteran

I agree with the other posters that this is a type of look that should really be intentionally chosen, not just worn because it showed up in your mailbox.

Doing pros and cons helps with the "brain" or practical side of things, but it doesn't take into account the heart--do you love them or not? Are they "you"? It doesn't sound like they really speak to you in your heart, so I would return and keep looking.

JAileen

Veteran

I have Frye Campus boots with the lug sole. They are kind of clunky, I guess. But I got them specifically for the traction. I really love them. Mine are pull ons, so no laces, and they're a medium brown, and the heel isn't as high. The leather is really beautiful. I've thought about getting them in black but thought the beauty of the leather wouldn't show up, and they kind of look like men's boots.

BTW, I put some Dr Scholl inserts in them and they're fine.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

unfrumped

Veteran

I would also say that something I've noticed in pairing footwear and bottoms is that when I wear a trouser out over the shoe, covering most of the shoe or boot, and especially a tweedy trouser or very classic trouser, a clunky shoe (which is what I always used to wear) looks much more masculine and potentially frumpy on me, than if I'm wearing a tapered trouser or slouchy pant scrunched above--and I'm guessing this might be similar for those who wear skinnies or similar tucked in. It's like the trouser being so tailored needs more refined footwear. This effect was kind of an aha moment. I still would not be able to wear pumps or heels and even very pointy-toes but look for other refining or polished elements that are still foot-friendly .

Diana

Veteran

I totally get where you are coming from. I used to have a very similar pair of Frye boots (only mine had a flat heel, so even more butch) and I almost never wore them for exactly this reason. And normally I like clunky, stompy boots. But the thing about these Fryes is that they look so plain, so utilitarian, so ubiquitous particularly in black and when worn like you're showing here, under long pants. They just look like work boots, they don't say, "hey, look at how cool my stompy shoes. They're like serviceable, sturdy shoes that people who just want their shoes to be serviceable and comfortable wear, you know?

Anyway, I got rid of those and I got red Docs instead. The Docs are just as clunky, if not more so, but the differences are that they are red and just somehow funkier. Much happier with that personally.

Are you wedded to the idea of black and/or lace up? Because if not, I would suggest:

Doc Marten Clemency (these are the ones I have, and they have a 2" heel for that nice height boost), comes in black too:
http://www.zappos.com/dr-marte.....-AAAAR1dAx

Or maybe one of the Engineer style fryes? This is a classic one:
http://www.zappos.com/frye-engineer-8r-black
I have Veronica shorties, and they fit fine under my bootcut jeans if that's a concern for you:
http://www.zappos.com/frye-ver.....ed-leather

LACeleste

Veteran

6pms had black patent Doc M Clemency in select sizes today for $40.00. I almost bit. Hope you find what you LOVE!

Elly

Veteran

They are right up my style alley-- that said, I go for a rugged, menswearish look. Worn with dress slacks they look a bit off, but with a pair of straight leg or skinny pants or jeans or even a skirt they would add edge.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I like them - but with skinnies or slim fit trousers, BF jeans, or skirts.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I agree with unfrumped and Karie -- I think the fact that these boots are mostly hidden by pant legs in these photos contributes to the "butch" factor. I would tend to wear this style with a cuffed straight leg, skinny or BF style to make the look more intentionally "stompy" and less workboot-y.

gryffin

Veteran

Amy K. - still chuckling at feline terrorist!! As everyone else has said, it depends on what makes you happy. I think they are cute but they do have a substantial sole and heel. Only you can decide if that is the look you are going for. I have the Ariat Heritage lacers - more a paddock boot but divinely comfortable. I dont' know if that is a look you might consider but I'll attach a picture and a link. These are graceful on, I wear them with everything!! http://vip.zappos.com/ariat-he.....ck-deertan Good luck!!

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

minimalist

Veteran

Thank you all, so very much.

To borrow Firecracker's words, these aren't distinct enough, not clompy enough for me to *own.* I'd be better with the kind of straight-up, honest work-boot Laura mentioned. A touch of butch is actually fine; these, though, are the wrong kind of sturdy. Closeted butch? Diana's description "so plain, so utilitarian, so ubiquitous" would be their slogan, if there was a parallel-universe catalog with pragmatic descriptions.

Gigi, you're spot on: I don't get a "me!" vibe from these. I did get that from some not-my-color AE oxfords I tried on in the men's section of NR when I was looking for Chucks. The fit, the construction just felt so right even though the particular style and color weren't right.

JAileen, great boots! Yes, isn't the leather beautiful? When I received the smaller size of these Fryes before Christmas, I was wowed by the quality of the leather and workmanship; so much nicer than the outsourced Fryes I'd seen at NR and local shops.

unfrumped, thank you for drawing this out for me in black and white. It sounds obvious now that you say it, but that's exactly it.

Diana, I've never tried engineer boots; it might be time. I'm embracing the androgynous aspect of my style for now. Even ran it by bf to be sure he's ok with me looking menswearish as a finished look (vs. my current can't-be-bothered-at-the-moment-so-shut-up image), and he babbled something about me looking fantastic in anything. (Why didn't I learn about men like him decades ago?!) How do you style engineer boots? I'm thinking straight jeans; straights are as skinny as I go.

Gryffin, thanks for the tip, I'll check out Ariats. (Stepkitty loved the outing, and brought me to a new level of resignation/acceptance about realistic wardrobe colors. Beige unbelted trench + cat going from park puddles to my shoulder & back = HEWI coat remains dark-colored.)

So the Fryes are packaged up for return, just need a label. Frye still hasn't credited me for return of the previous pair; wonder how long is standard?

Diana

Veteran

I wear my Veronica's with everything. Under bootcuts, over skinnies, and with BFs both ways (tucked in or rolled over), as well as with skirts and dresses.

But Ceit is the engineer boot queen! Definitely check out some of her WIWs.

Nicole D

Veteran

Looks like you made your decision, and I support it. I feel like the toe was too rounded, maybe I am spoiled by all the pointy ones out there. Enjoy the continuing search.

E

Veteran

Go you, not settling! It can be difficult some time when you just want the search to be over to do another return and decide to keep looking.

Von

Veteran

They look not only clompy, but HEAVY, and if you aren't prepared to manage with heavy shoes, you should return. We all allow ourselves little concessions in the name of a shoe we love so much, but it doesn't seem like these are that loveable. I've seen cuter Docs (and I don't even like Docs!)...someone here has a cute pair of heeled Docs but I can't remember who.