Frye Phillip Tall Harness

 Phillip Wide is only 15 around, suggesting the regular could really be slim!

(June 2015 update: I finally got these -- the non-extended version -- on my legs! Check it out here.)

(March 2014 update: Don't miss my test-run of the Frye Melissa Tall Riding Boot if you prefer a harness-free look.)

If riding boots for thin calves are an elusive treasure, then Frye slim calf riding boots are the Holy Grail. The venerated brand simply doesn't cut their styles all that narrow. That's why, though I am the very happy owner of two Frye ankle boots & two midcalfs, I haven't yet been able to add a tall Frye to the collection. So imagine my excitement in finding the Phillip Tall Harness boot has a circumference of only 13".

But a funny thing happened on my way to nirvana. Not once but twice, Amazon sent me the extended-calf Phillip by mistake. Too bad, as the price was right with a coupon code, and the boot itself is gorgeous, at least in the wine-undertoned dark brown color I ordered. In my mind, this label is at its best on the more rustic end of the riding boot continnum. My secondhand 12Rs in the rugged "tan" shade, bought specifically to camouflage dust & mud from music festivals, have actually become one of my all-time faves and look especially good with girly ensembles for a tough-and-tender vibe. The Phillip is a couple inches taller, and softer looking with its almond toe, but still has plenty of that characteristic Frye rusticity going for it.

The good news is that the Phillip wide calf boot measured very true to its listings, which suggests the non-extended version might actually be a slim 13 around, which would be same as my midcalf Taylors (left) that fit fabulously. 

I'll post "on leg" photos if I manage to get hold of the standard-calf Phillip Harness. In the meantime, I'm feeling hopeful :)

Rating:
Beauty: *****/5
Value: ***/5
Calf slimness: Unsure for the moment, but hopeful!

Find the Phillip non extended calf at: Zappos
(Have yet to receive an incorrect product from the Big Z!)


Tip for the tiny! If you're under 5 feet tall with small feet, the kids' version of this boot will save you big bucks. Just add 2 sizes to the kids' size for a rough equivalency: kids' 3 is about the same as an adult size 5, kids' 4 = adult 6, etc. Only caveat is that some feel Small Frye quality isn't quite up to the adult brand. At half the cost, though, it may be worth a look.

One more note: Another candidate for best Frye boot for skinny calves, per reviewers, is the terrific looking Lynn Strap which is a half-inch taller than the Phillip & adorned with a small buckle rather than a harness. Hoping to try that one soon & report back.