School me on boot toe shapes - YouLookFab Forum

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School me on boot toe shapes

kellygirl

Veteran

Sorry to be so full of questions lately but I'm curious whether the rounded toe or square toe is preferable these days (as it relates to Frye boots.) I've always had a preference for an almond or more rounded toe but I'm wondering if I'm missing something. Do you have a preference? Thanks.

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19 replies

Latest reply was from K. Period.

K. Period.

Veteran

Bwah ha ha! Mine (evil cackle) is always for a pointy toe and then an almond toe. However, that's just my preference. I'll be interested to hear what folks say about this. I suspect it is going to be rounded/almond but with square taking up the position of "most fashion forward" but also "most easily tipping into dated."

Sara L.

Veteran

I'll take rounded, almond or even pointy before square. I think I have somewhat of a poison eye towards square toes though.

Anonymous

Square is an old style -- the cavalry types were squared like that (I said JetBoots too but those are definitely more pointed than square). With regards to Fryes, that square toe is ageless in my opinion because the boot itself hasn't changed much since the late 1800s.

ETA: obsessive me did poking and their Cavalry model was first introduced in 1930s. But I have seen the square toe on older Frye photos also, but it must have been with a now defunct shaft combo.

pil

Veteran

Another preference for almond/rounded here. I have a pair of squareish toed waterproof ankle boots that are probably dated - but will be staying in my closet for now.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love how Ceit actually does tutor us in the history. A knight in every sense.

I prefer a slightly pointed almond toe.

But seriously, I do not think a Frye square toe is dated and I like both looks.

deb

Veteran

I have old pointed toes (witchy) and squared toes from the 90's still in my closet just waiting for their reincarnation. I like them all.

Anonymous

Heh, just popping back to add, if you go way way back, pointed was super king, and then square, and round is a more recent invention.

dakotacheryl

Veteran

I prefer the rounded toe.

rachylou

Veteran

I think pointy all around is most trendy.

amiable

Veteran

Yes - I think the most fashion forward is pointy, but that almond has higher longevity (and is my preference). Square seems dated to me right now, and round is, not really dated, but not fashion forward at all either.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I think rounded and almond toes have more longevity than a sharp square or pointy toe -- those more extreme shapes date more quickly.

kellygirl

Veteran

Thanks for sharing your opinions. I kind of have/had a poison eye for square toes but find the more I look at the square toe Fryes, I'm kind of liking them a little bit. Just a little bit though.
@K: You are pointy toe queen
@Ceit: Thanks for the history lesson. I had no idea!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

In the middle of the extremes is probably the best bet (almond toe), and I think square is the least current at least at this exact moment.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I like rounded almond one here better than the square. BUT, you have a great collection of rounded and almond toed boots, so if I were you and was thinking of getting a new pair of Fryes, I might go for the squared toe, just to fill the void in the old boot wardrobe! I just ventured into my first pointy toe this year, although I still prefer almond shapes myself. I felt the urge to make myself branch out!

Deborah

Veteran

I love a square toe, but do agree with others that a rounded or almond shape does seem to have more longevity.

Echo

Veteran

Classic, old-school (especially men's) engineer boots always had/have squared toes, IMO. That doesn't mean I necessarily like the look, but I don't think that engineer boots are ever out of style with a squared off toe. My personal preference is almost always for a rounded toe, though, trendy or not.

Jonesy

Veteran

I have a pair of charcoal gray Frye boots, harness, with a square toe, and I LOVE them (pic below)! I got them last winter and wore the heck out of them, and I can't wait for it to cool off enough to wear them again. I agree that, in general, a square toe is not so trendy right now, but these sorts of Frye harness boots are in a different category, I think--they are classic, rugged, sexy, and kickass, IMHO. Also posting an inspiration pic of the Frye harness boots in action. These would be a great addition to your magnificent boot collection, Kellygirl!

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catgirl

Veteran

I'm with Jonesy - I have those boots in brown, and although I rarely wear them now, they are a classic IMIHO.

K. Period.

Veteran

I'm jumping back in to agree with Echo, Jonesy and Una on this. A motorcycle, harness or engineer style boot often has a squared toe and I see that as so inherently part of the shoe style that I'm not put off by it. Complaining about it would be like complaining that a clog has a wooden base.

You're trying to figure out which shoe shape is most likely to work for you, though, aren't you? And how you can get the best longevity and stylishness out of your boot choice? I see your style as a little preppy with a smidge of secret rocker in you that is balanced with some girly-ness. I could imagine you in a square toe, but I think you'll like a round or almond toe better and both of those are totally stylish and have good longevity.