Keep, fix or donate these Frye boots

Hello team!
I’m wondering if you could help me with a boot issue.

I bought these OTK boots last year, and brought them out of storage today in preparation for cooler weather.

I bought them in a 7 (1 size smaller than my regular size) and had them stretched, but they’re still a little too small through the toe box. (I don’t think this is a big deal. I could have them stretched again.)

The other issue is that they’re a bit baggy at the lower calf.

I’m wondering whether a cobbler could fix the bagginess. Do you know if it’s a difficult alteration and whether it’s worth it?

What do you think about the current bagginess? Would it bother you? I’m sort of on the fence.

Did I mention these are really nice boots?

Hope your summers are going well! I’ve been busy with work and vacationing

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5 years ago

notsaf

Veteran

They look fine to me as-is, but maybe it would help to see them styled in context? (The perennial request of the YLF peanut gallery...)

smittie

I’ll see what I can do, Notsaf

MsMaven

I think it's possible--I remember reading an article or blog post ages ago where a cobbler showed the alterations he could make to boots. Around here the problem is finding a real cobbler.

I have small ankles and calves, which I didn't know until I spent some time at YLF. It's hard for me to find boots that really fit well and don't do the ankle wrinkle.

Runcarla

I wouldn't mess with them any further - other than to get them stretched so they are comfortable. FWIW - baggy around the ankle is a F/W trend. I'll try to find the article...

RC: these don’t seem “intentionally” baggy though maybe they’re ok though.

Brooklyn

I think they look fine. I guess it depends a bit on how you are going to wear them. With jeans tucked in I think a little extra room could be good and looks kind of casual. With a skirt they might not give a really sleek look. But I think they would still work.

And keep them of course!

cindysmith

They're Frye, so they're worth keeping. I don't notice much slouch in them, and even if I did... well, I read that slouch boots are this fall/winter's "it" trend in boots. That tiny bit of looseness that i can see at the lower calf would probably be less noticeable with Jean's inside them, too

Style Fan

I think they look fine. I don't notice the slouchiness. They are nice boots.

...yes, maybe with jeans, the slouch would be fine.

I do intend to wear them with skirts too, but I plan to style my skirts in a Very casual, outdoorsy way. So maybe that would work too.

Jaime

(website)

Slouchy boots are trending but the main question is do you like how they look?

Gigi

I don't think the slouchiness is a big deal. I see people wearing boots that look like that a lot.

I was going to recommend wearing them with some thick socks to fill out the space, but if you're already having problems with the toe box being too small, that might really make the boots feel tight. You could try wearing leg warmers under the boots, I suppose, but I don't know how that would feel either.

Cobblers can take in the calf on boots, but it is a very difficult alteration, and it doesn't often turn out well. My favorite cobbler here, who does work for the Stuart Weitzman store in the mall, told me that he refuses to do calf alterations because they are difficult and don't look very good once they're done. So I would recommend not altering the boots.

Jane

These look good to my eye and I think the slouchiness is ok, better than okay. Frey boots I think look better and better with age - I also think Frey leather is one that fits to your feet with wear. I had some ballet flats that shaped well after wear.

Anonymous

Keepers. Not too loose/slouchy in the ankle to me. Love Frye boots/bags.

nemosmom

Keep! They don't look overly slouchy and IME any knee-high boots will slouch a bit at the ankle; otherwise they would be difficult to walk in.

Bijou

Hmm, well I have some boots that do this too and it annoys me, I feel like I constantly have to hitch them up when I am wearing them. I intended to get my boots fixed and somehow went all of this winter without getting round to it.

So I would say, get them fixed. Frye boots are great quality and these look very nice.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I'm worried about the snug toe box. I'd have them stretched again to see if that comes right first before you commit to anything else.

As for the bagginess, I'd need to see them styled.

nuancedream

The tightness at the toe box would seem to be a greater concern than the bagginess at the ankle, which doesn't look too slouchy to me. The toe box tightness may not be a big deal to you, but over time, your feet may rebel. I would take the boots to a cobbler to see if restretching them would work. They're great looking boots, BTW!!

I wouldn't touch the shaft in any way - the boots look more luxe and modern that way. The shortness would be a deal breaker for me though.

LaPed

The slouch doesn't bother me at all. Looks quite current. But I know that I'd never reach for a too-small pair of boots in the winter, when I want thick socks and a little bit of air around my toes as an insulator. If that's not typically an issue for you, then I say they are gorgeous and you should hang onto them!

Thanks!
Yes, the toe box is a real issue, so i’ll get them stretched. I have high hopes because they’re suede and I only had them stretched a half size the last time. Another half size should do the trick.

I’m also going to leave the shaft alone (thanks for the heads-up @gigi!)

I need to research this slouchy ankle trend! I had no idea!

Tightening the boots would be a difficult alteration-I've asked cobblers when mine have gotten loose over time. It's less noticable with pants for sure. Eventually the whole boot will end up sagging

Sal

They look good to me and I would try and stretch the toes.

Getting tall boots to fit is quite the challenge isn't it.....I can get them to fit until the upper calf when they get too tight so I have to get gussets sewn.

UmmLila (Lisa)

I like the color, but the fit seems small in the foot and too big every where else

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