Would I be crazy to dye my Fryes? - YouLookFab Forum

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Would I be crazy to dye my Fryes?

Kristine

Veteran

I have a relatively new pair of Frye Carson Oxfords. They're really nicely made and comfortable. Colors were my only reservation when I ordered them, most of the colors are earthy. I ordered tan. I always look down and think "rugged". I'd like them to work a little better for dressy work clothes.

Should I dye them with leather dye? I'm thinking of olive or maybe oxblood red. My husband says buy another pair, I say I don't have a spare $180 at the moment.

Do they say rugged to you? Would a darker color help? Thanks!

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18 replies

Latest reply was from Isis

FoolOfATook

Have you dyed leather before? If not you may want to enlist the help of a good shoe repair shop. I would be nervous to try it on an expensive pair of shoes, but maybe that's just me. That being said, I don't think they look overly rugged but perhaps a different color would work better with your wardrobe?

Aida

Veteran

They don't say "rugged" to me, but they are a little more earthy than urban and give me an impression of a more casual/girly shoe than a dressy/mensweary shoe.

rae

(website)

Veteran

I don't think it's crazy! In fact, I have a thread about dying a handbag. I've heard great things about Tarrago dye, and it's really cheap! Whatever gets you to loving the shoes, I say do it.

bella

(website)

Veteran

Don't do it yourself! They are gorgeous, don't ruin them! a skilled cobbler should be able to tell you if they can be dyed and should be able to do it professionally if you decide to go ahead with it.

Kate

Veteran

Unless you've dyed a lot of leather before, I would consider asking a cobbler if they could do it for you and how much it would cost. Whenever I dye things I make sure that I won't be heartbroken if they don't turn out right. And half the time, they don't turn out right

catgirl

Veteran

I would be scared to do it for the first time with these shoes. I have the eggplant ones and it's a fab color, and they came with a bit of deliberating fading which gave them a slightly distressed look, which you might end up with if you dye them.

Katiepea

(website)

Veteran

*Nooooooooo* please don't do it! I love those shoes! Oh, ok, the practical side of me is saying if they really aren't fitting into your wardrobe, I'd suggest getting them professionally dyed; selling them on e-bay; working them into your wardrobe; or sending them to me. (Just thought I'd sneak that in <tee-hee!>

My biggest concern is I'd really worry that the dye could be patchy and then the shoes would be good for nothing....

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Another nay vote from me. Don't mess with Frye perfection.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I have to agree with Kate. Dye only that which you can bear to part with if it doesn't work out. Send it to be done professionally if you can.

Heather

Veteran

Oh, Kristine! I gasped at the thought of dying your new Frye oxfords! I think you should definitely have them professionally dyed if you must.

Perhaps we could see a few of your outfits with the "rugged" oxfords as they are now before you send them out? Perhaps there may be other tweaks other than the shoes?

Vix

Veteran

When I was debating whether to change the color of my [Cole Haan, bought at deep-but-not-deep-enough discount], boots last year, I talked to my shoe repair guys.

They weren't willing to take it on, but said if I DIY'd and didn't like the results, MOST of the time they could strip it back to the original color, no harm no foul; SOMETIMES the original color was darkened by the shoe cream dye.

I went for it and had good results using cordovan to go from mousy brown to brownish-plum on the boots, and baby *beep* brown to more of a cognac shade on some shoes. Results here:

http://buildingacolorfullife.w.....-cordovan/

That post also links to the summer version of my shoe dying experiments, in which I bought metallic and pearlescent shades online and went to town, again with good results.

[Tarrago and Meltonian leather *creams* are about the same IMO.

That said, I recently took a gamble that I could turn a bag with a highly "done" finish a different color and am currently digging myself out of that.

Bottom line: Talk to some pros and see what you think about moving forward!

catgirl

Veteran

Vix, your blog and writing style are insanely entertaining!

Deb

If my husband told me to "buy another pair" they'd be on their way by now!

I vote against dying them, big time. Frye's colors are so nuanced - I would be so concerned that dying would smother them in a flat, uniform drabness. Frankly, I like the color and don't think it's too rugged. But then again, I also believe that, unless a person loves what they're wearing, they won't wear it that often.

So then, it comes down to: will you continue to wear them even without changing the color? If not, then go ahead and have it (professionally) done, otherwise they will be wasted in your closet. But if you think you'd still give them regular airings ... then don't do it or, at minimum, think about it for a while longer.

Vix

Veteran

[Alaskagirl, thank you; I'm definitely an acquired taste, ha. If a blog can be Team Rough Around the Edges/RATE....]

Hmmmm...I'm wondering if the "yeas" for dying (post-consult with shoe repair places) fall on the RATE or Polished side. I'm betting most consider themselves the former.

judy

Veteran

I got the boots in natural a few years ago and they have aged to be a lovely darker version of the original. I think their dyes are perfection, and wouldn't mess with them. Maybe try a less precious shoe to experiment on though?

Lisa

Veteran

I vote nay, maybe sell them and buy a darker pair?

Kristine

Veteran

Thanks everyone! I've decided to keep them the way they are, at least for now. It's such beautiful leather, even if the color turns out I'll probably lose the subtleties. Plus, spring's on the way and I might be happier with this lighter color.

I'm just so challenged to find work appropriate shoes (I hate fussy details). I'll post a few outfits and see what you think.

Isis

Veteran

Yay, Kristine, I'm glad you aren't going to dye your fab Fryes!

I like the color and can't quite picture it as "rugged".....so I'm glad you are going to post a few outfits.

I have the eggplant color, and while I adore the color, your lighter color might enable you to wear them with dresses and skirts.....I've found the darker purple looks odd against my white legs.....

Looking forward to your outfits!