Frye Jayden Button Tall

Hey! Sorry it's been a while. Quite a dearth of slim calf riding boots these past few months. If anything, the average circumferences seem to be getting larger! Sigh.

Based on reviews complaining of too-narrow calves, I had high hopes for these beautiful Frye Jayden boots. Unfortunately they're not as skinny as they are pretty. (The "bordeaux" color pictured here is a keeper though, no? Love it.)

In a size 8, this style came in at 15" for the top circumference, 14" around at the midcalf, and a not-too-huge 11" at the ankle. The shaft height is 16 inches for size 8.














There's a handy full zip...

A cute button detail....

A quirky textured sole...

And of course that luxurious leather lining, intoxicating fragrance & typical built-to-last Frye quality.

Given the measurements, I'm not sure why the Jayden doesn't look baggier on my legs. Maybe that's a combo of the substantive, non-floppy leather; relatively slim ankle; and lovely dark color?

Still, a great pick for average to moderately slim calves -- especially at sale pricing -- but not for the superskinny.

Happy fall, all!

Rating:

Beauty: *****/5
Value: ****/5
Calf slimness: ***/5

In numerous lovely shades :)
Find it (50+% off in some color/size combos as of early August 2018!) at:
Amazon

Zappos

ps: here are a couple extra pix to show shaft height - per November 14 reader query:

Frye Melissa Button Back Zip

How pretty are these Frye boots for small calves? "Pretty" isn't normally my go-to Frye descriptor -- this is still my all-time favorite boot brand, but usually its offerings are more ruggedly gorgeous than sleekly pretty. The Melissa Button Back Zip is an exception. Its soft, smooth leather is not quite as tough-seeming as you'd typically find with this label, but with some conditioning cream massaged in for weatherproofing I think it should hold up just fine.

Before we get to the measurements, I need to alert you to the fact that I bought these for $134, which for Frye is unheard of outside of used boots on ebay -- and frankly, even on ebay you don't find 'em often at that price point. Do we really need to talk more about how summer is the best possible time to score a pair of classic, timeless riding boots for fall? Even if the Melissa prices go up by the time you read this, I'm betting they'll be well under retail until August, so if you love the look, now may be the time.

Okay, the stats: In a size 7.5, the top circumference is a little roomy for my narrow calves, at 15 inches around. Midway down the calf is much better, at 13.5". And the ankle, at 11", is pretty skinny for a Frye model....a nice touch for those of us with knobby ankles as well as scrawny legs.

Just for comparison, this style is a half-inch bigger in circumference than the Frye Jenna Inside Zip at both the opening and the midpoint, but a full inch smaller around the ankle, which I think gives it a less sporty look. Paired with the right outfit, I could see the Melissa going, in all but the stuffiest workplaces, from office to post-work drinks -- yet it would be perfectly at home at a cookout or street fair too.

The shaft height is identical to the Jenna's, at 15.5 inches, which should accommodate most statures.

Very pretty foot shape - but watch your step with the (too?) smooth sole

Sizing advice is tricky with this one. I agree somewhat with reviewers who've suggested the Melissa runs on the small side, but I'm not sure it's dramatic enough to recommend sizing up. I would say that if you're between half sizes, you might want to go with the larger, unless you've got enough Frye experience to trust that the foot can stretch a little with wear for a custom fit. (I do actually feel this will happen with the Melissa, given the relative softness of the leather, but I can't guarantee it.)

I also agree with the reviewers who have suggested this is a sexy boot :) -- subtly sexy, just the way I like. I think the back zip has a lot to do with that, along with the somewhat more fitted ankle. If you like a long, lean look on your lean legs, this is a nice pick, even though the sum of its circumference measurements doesn't put it among our skinniest Fryes.

One last note: I panicked for a sec in trying to zip the boot for the first time, as it was tough to do at the very bottom, by the heel -- the part covered by the cute snap detail, which you simply unsnap to zip/unzip all the way down. By the next time around, it was working just fine :)

Rating:
Beauty: *****/5
Value: *****/5 at summer sale pricing
Calf slimness: ***/5

In a nice range of colors, including grey, dark brown & rustic black along with the cognac I'm wearing in these pix (still priced under $200 as of mid-July! cannot beat a summer boot deal...)
Find it at: Amazon (sizeable discounts still hanging in there as of late Feb. 2018, though size/color availability varies at this point)

December 2016 update! 
Over these past few years I've made the somewhat surprising discovery that not only do they carry many of the most gorgeous, sturdy styles on the planet, but Frye also makes, consistently, many of the best-fitting and most flattering women's thin calf riding boots we could ask for.  So I was hoping to offer you one more set of Frye pix on my chicken legs for 2016. 

Unfortunately, I received the "extended calf" Frye Melissa Button boot (unlike on the style featured in main post above, there's no zipper at all on this one -- it's a pull-on) from Amazon. Not sure if it was my mistake or theirs, but I probably won't have time to exchange and get non-extended version pix out to you before the holidays :( 

The good news is that based on the measurements for this wide calf version (pictured above), I feel pretty darned confident that the non-wide-calf Frye Melissa Button would look great on thin calves like mine. I am guessing they'd be at least a ***/5 for calf slimness, possibly a ****/5. 

Why? Well, the extended calf measures 15.5" up top, 14" at midcalf & 12.5" at the ankle -- so even if you subtract only 1-1.5" from each of those measurements (which is a safe assumption for the non-extended boot, no?), you'll get a pretty slim fit. 

Some details on the extended style that are probably relevant for the non-extended too: I am between 7.5 and 8 shoe size, and the 7.5 in the non-zip Melissa Button was a little toe tight on my toes. Maybe it would stretch, but I think sizing up to an 8 would be safer. The shaft is 15.75 inches tall. And the cognac color is a little darker than that same shade on the Melissa Button Back Zip. I like both, but the darker one maybe a tad better. They're both lovely, though. 

One last word: Just like the Melissa zip, this one's got a very smooth sole! You'll wanna scuff these up on the sidewalk before sprinting around town ;)

Do you own, or have you tried the non-zip Frye Melissa Button boot? Please share fit details in the comments, if so -- especially if my extrapolations from the extended version are way off base! 



Happy, happy holidays to all, and a healthy and peaceful 2017 to you and yours. xo, Mary

Frye Jenna Inside Zip

It's funny: These gorgeous boots, the Frye Jenna Inside Zip, have the exact same measurements in size 7.5 as the equally gorgeous Frye Tabitha, but to me they look a little slimmer on the leg.

I think it must be because the leather on this one is a firm type that will stand up straight in the closet, vs. the Tabitha's softer shaft. Whatever the reason, these rustic but sleek, ultra-versatile boots are a terrific find for Frye fans, especially those who a) hate stretch panels (there are none on the Jenna!) and b) love incredible deals (under $125 -- if you know Frye, you know how outrageous that is -- in some size/color combos as of April 2016!).

This is an older Frye riding style that for some reason I thought had gone extinct. So imagine my delight to find these small calf boots not only alive and kicking but priced kindly enough to bring this coveted brand into the range of many lower-end labels that don't carry anywhere near Frye quality.

On to the stats...

In size 7.5, the Jenna's circumference is 14.5 inches up top, 13" at midcalf, and 12" at the ankle. I wish an inch could be shaved off that last measurement, but because the leather is not slouchy, I don't think the style looks too baggy around my knobby ankles, do you?

Height: The shaft is 15.5" tall, which is reasonably petite friendly but will look great on an average to slightly longer leg too. The super-statuesque may want to look elsewhere.

The foot fits TTS, and I'd actually probably do better with a size 8 in this one (I wear between 7.5 & 8 in general) to accommodate thick socks in the colder months.

All the colors on offer are great, but I'm particularly a sucker for this rich dark brown that, with a little help from some Frye Conditioning Cream  (note: I realized this stuff is great for all my leather shoes and have gone through an entire tin at this point), will only get better with age.

Rating:
Beauty: *****/5
Value:  *****/5 at current sale prices
Calf slimness: ***/5

Find it at:
Amazon




*******

photo c Amazon

P.S.: One other heavily discounted Frye riding boot to check out quickly, while prices are low, is the Jamie Ring style (at left), which features a bit more detailing, avoids stretch panels just like the Jenna, and has earned some of those "bad" reviews we so love to see, complaining of a too-tight calf! As you know, one woman's "ouch!" is another's "hey, these don't look like leather galoshes!" :}

Narrow Calf Riding Boots ~ 2015 All-Stars

Artwork copyright 2015 KKG

Not since 2013 have we had the material for a year-end "greatest hits" post featuring riding boots for skinny calves that will work for even the slimmest-legged among us. Despite my hopes, 2015 did not yield an abundance of 5-out-of-5-star boots for calf slimness -- but there were two standouts.

The Vaneli Vesper is, happily, still available at Amazon and for discounts (as I type) of 30 to 70 percent (!). It's a cute style that will be most at home in casual environments but, for some, may work at work too :) Most importantly, it hugs even scrawny calves nicely. So check that one out, if you haven't already.

The Skinnycalf Rider is a luxurious made-in-Italy boot that offers a good value for the price, especially if you use the code SKINNY20 at checkout. Drawbacks: It may not be quite as tall as more statuesque boot lovers would prefer; it runs a little small in the foot, as far as I could tell from my try-on; and (the biggie) it's mostly out of stock now. But there appear to be a few color/size combos available, so worth a peek.

photo: amazon.com

Note: I am 99% sure the reissued Solemani Gabi boots (at right) would rate a 5/5 for calf slimness, though I haven't tried on this year's model. Based on reviews, I'm guessing these are identical, or nearly so, to the Gabis I tried back in 2013. (The new quilted-leather Martina from this same reliably slim-friendly label looks pretty sharp, too, especially in black.)

*****

2015 honorable mentions: The Frye Molly Gore Tall, Frye Phillip Harness Tall, Aquatalia Gina and Via Spiga Bufu all rated 4 out of 5 in my book for both beauty/style and calf slimness. See if one of those strikes your fancy.

photo: 6pm.com

Last-minute tip if you're gift-hunting for a tall girl: The Ugg Danae is pretty elegant for a cold-weather (sheepskin-lined) boot and has a functional buckle for calf adjustment. Caveats: Based on reviews around the web, it sounds like this one runs narrow in foot as well as calf, so maybe go up 1/2 size from normal. And the shaft--somewhere between 18 & 20" tall, depending on which store you want to believe--may hit the knee awkwardly for shorter or even average-height folks.


Happy, healthy holidays to all ... and special thanks to everyone who has made this page more fun, useful, lively & engaging by posting a comment. May 2016 bring more laughter than tears, and -- just maybe, if it's not pushing our luck -- a few new skinny boot styles :-)

Frye Tabitha Pull On Tall

This blog focuses mainly on English style riding boots, but I also love a beautifully made, subtle, bling-free Western style. Like this beauty from Frye.

When I ordered these small calf boots, I hadn't fully considered the ramifications of the "pull on" modifier, but they are both positive and negative.

On the downside, pull-on for a tall boot means there's only so skinny they can make the shaft, or nobody would be able to get the darn thing on. Accordingly, the Tabitha measures 14.5 inches at top, 13 at midcalf, and 12 at the ankle. It's definitely slimmer than average but has a straight look rather than nipping in at the ankle -- which is appropriate for a Western style.

On the upside, pull-on means there are no zippers or stretch panels to mar the long, lean look on your leg -- it's all just rich, soft leather -- which is sexy in that classy, not-trying-too-hard way that can be hard to come by in a heeled knee-high boot.

Speaking of heels, the Tabitha's is 2.5 inches tall, which I find incredibly flattering to the leg while still walkable due to its sturdy shape. As for height, the shaft is 16" in a size 7.5 -- perfect on me (5'4" tall with proportionally long legs), but maybe a hair too tall for those more petite in stature. The footbed is nicely padded, per usual for Frye, and the Western style stitching is a pretty touch.

A note on sizing: Though a couple reviews indicated the Tabitha Tall Pull On runs a bit small, I found it comfortably roomy in size 7.5, even though I'm generally between 7.5 and 8. So I wouldn't suggest sizing up...especially since Fryes are known for loosening up after repeated wear to conform to the foot.

Rating:
Beauty: *****/5
Value: ***/5
Calf slimness: ***/5

In black, cognac or dark brown.
Find it at:
Amazon (heavily discounted in some color/size combinations)

ps ~ Another stunner with about the same heel height as the Tabitha is the ultrahip Freebird Wyatt (above), which may be the slimmest boot I've ever tried, as the calf is 100% adjustable. I was attracted to this brand after seeing it on a few stylish legs but was put off by the average-ish calf cuts normally featured. This style offers a very cool-looking skinnycalf solution via the fab lacing system & soft leather insert on the side. Nice!

Frye Phillip Harness Tall

It was almost a year and a half ago when I first tried to review the Frye Phillip Tall Harness boot but was thwarted by a shipping error in which I was twice sent the extended-calf version by mistake. The silver lining was that that version was true to its published measurements, so I suspected the same for its non-extended sister, which had garnered some buzz as a great pair of narrow shaft boots for skinny legs, from what for many of us is the ultimate covetable brand.

Forgive me for how long it's taken to actually get this one onto my bird legs, but I can finally vouch for the non-extended Phillip Harness Tall as a rustic beauty that should flatter most slim calves.

The measurements for me were a tiny bit bigger than those published on some sites, but not by enough to through this one off the (slowly expanding) Frye narrow calf boot list.  At the top, the circumference in size 7.5 is 14.5 inches. At midcalf it's 13.5 inches. And the ankle pleasantly surprised me with its 10.5" measurement, a bit smaller than we sometimes get with straighter riding styles.

Just like the Frye Molly Gore, this style joins a slightly pebbled or (I think more accurately) weathered looking leather for the shaft with a smoother texture for the foot. Because the color is consistent, this looks just fine.

The cognac color I chose is coolly variegated, ranging from caramel to espresso. I would say it's actually closer in hue to my 12Rs in the comically misnamed "tan" than my Taylors in cognac.
 
The Phillip's toe is rounded, which probably contributed to the immediate comfort I felt when I slipped it on. The brass o-ring, strap & studs are as awesome as always with Frye harness boots.

There's a full-length back zip, which has gotten on more than a few reviewers' nerves. I personally found the pulls sticky but manageable with a little patience, and IMO there's something inherently sexy -- while in this kinda-tough-girl style, not even close to trying-too-hard sexy -- about back zips. 

The leather outsole doesn't have grooves but feels solid and slip-resistant. And there is, of course, that lovely, soft Frye leather lining.
Sigh :)

Rating:
Beauty: ****/5
Value: ***/5
Calf slimness: ****/5

Find it at:
Zappos (in an outrageous number of color/leather finish choices -- a dozen as of early June 2015 .... plus the video clip on a relatively slim pair of legs is helpful)

photo: zappos.com

ps! Two other Fryes that are calling my name for fall...
The stunning, long & lean Jackie Button (above, still available at great prices in several gorgeous finishes as of summer 2018) is something I've worn in the ankle version for a while now, finding the extra bit of heel super leg-flattering yet quite comfy. And judging from the video, its knee-high sibling is pretty skinny through the calves.

Then there's the Frye Tabitha Pull On -- a hip Western boot that falls on just the right side of the sexy/showy divide.

And in the deals-and-steals category, as of the tail end of 2015 the classic Frye Jenna riding boot (at right) is under $200 in many size/color combos and features quite a few "good" bad reviews -- i.e., complaints of way-too-skinny calf circumference. (Update: My 2016 try-on confirmed they're a good bet for narrow calves :-)

Frye Molly Gore Tall

Ahh, the sweet fragrance of a pair of Frye boots straight from the box. I'm so glad my favorite label's 2014 Molly Gore boots for skinny calves eased on down in price enough these past few weeks for me to road-test them now, with months of boot-friendly chilly temps still ahead for most of us.

In a nutshell, I think this a terrific pair of slim calf riding boots, especially at the sale price. I understand how full retail could rub some the wrong way for a shaft that prominently features stretch fabric, though if you're desperate enough, the fit alone could be worth it. The big news is that these are the skinniest Fryes I've tried so far, with top-midcalf-ankle circumferences sneaking it at 0.2 inches smaller, total, than the label's older-model Chelsea Riding. The top (opening) is a half-inch bigger on the Molly than on the Chelsea, but the Molly's midcalf is 0.8" smaller around, and the ankle measurement is the same for these two sleek, unfussy designs that -- it's safe to say -- are not going out of style anytime soon.

In a size 7.5, the Molly measures 14.6 inches up top, an impressively small 12.2" at the midcalf, and 10.5" at the ankle. The shaft is taller in front than back by a half-inch or so, with the front measuring 16.4" high -- ideal for a "tall short person" like myself who carries most height in the legs or a straight-up taller person, but possibly too high for a decidedly petite or shorter-limbed woman who hopes to avoid the dreaded hits-right-on-the-kneecap look.

The soft, pliable leather has been described by some reviewers as lightly pebbled, but it's really more "weathered" through the shaft. The foot appears smoother, but the slight contrast between the two textures doesn't look odd to me at all.

In the soft brown "whiskey" color I'm wearing in these photos, the Molly is most definitely two-toned, but in the darker brown and black options it's more of an all-one-color look. Whatever hue you choose, a 0.7"-wide strip of leather running up the back pulls the two textures together.

The stretch fabric itself is stiffer and sturdier than that employed by similar half-and-half type boots, while still conforming nicely to the calf. It does take a moment longer to pull the Molly on than it would a zippered boot, but this shouldn't be a huge issue for those of us with very thin legs. If it is, try folding the shaft down a bit before pulling on -- in my experience, Frye leather can tolerate some extra handling :)

If you're between half-sizes, I'd recommend going with the larger. I usually take a 7.5 but occasionally an 8, and though good leather will stretch somewhat, I think in the Molly I'd be better off with an 8. With free shipping sites, of course, you can always get both sizes and send one back.


Rating:
Beauty: ****/5
Value: ***/5
Calf slimness: ****/5

Find it at:
Amazon (four colors; as of mid October 2015, over 60% off in some size/color combos)

Frye Riding Chelsea

This boot  -- The Frye Chelsea Riding -- has long graced my list of all-time fave slim calf riding boots. The barrier has been its over-$500 retail price, which is on the high end even by Frye standards. But the style went to clearance pricing -- a rarity for Fryes, as you know if you're a fan of the label -- at least once over the past year and may do so again.

The fact that the Chelsea Riding is extinct at other shoe sites suggests that it's been discontinued, though Frye has a more reasonably priced version out now, the Lindsay Gore (70% off in some color/sizes as of April '15!)-- a bit shorter in shaft, which may help average to shorter in stature boot lovers.

But back to the Chelsea .... 

I could tell as soon as I opened the box that this would be a winner, and my tape measure bore that out. At the top opening and in a size 7 1/2, they measure 14 inches around, at midcalf they're 13", and around the ankle they're 10.5. Overall a very slim profile -- yes! I'm not sure we'll see a slimmer Frye than this ever, actually, so this is a huge deal in my book.


The Riding Chelsea should appeal to fans of last year's Tory Burch Christy, which had essentially the same style but in a pebbled leather. Good news: The ankle on these Fryes is a half-inch slimmer than on the Christy, and up top we're talking a whole inch slimmer. As cute as Tory's "T" logo is, I think the Frye one signifies just as much (if not more) style & durability, and based on personal experience, I'd pick this brand over pretty much any other for a timeless boot to wear for years, possibly decades.

Fave touches for me, besides the overall fit and quality, are the subtle top-of-shaft button detail...

The lovely wood heel, and (of course) that irresistible Frye logo >> 

P.S. For a different take on knee-high Frye, check out the also-gorgeous (though slightly wider-calved) Frye Melissa Riding.

Rating for the Riding Chelsea:
Beauty: *****/5
Value: *****/5
Calf slimness: ****/5 

Find it at:
(Update: Appears this stunner was reintroduced/restocked sometime in 2015, based on more sizes now available...yippee!)
Amazon (in cognac, black & my fave: espresso)

***more***

Deal hunters: Frye busted out a couple new boots for skinny legs in 2014 that you might want to check out for 2015 savings:

First up, I first saw the stretch riding boot at left -- the Frye Molly Gore -- looking great on some lean legs in the Nordstrom anniversary sale catalog and eventually got them onto my own. Happily, I spoke too soon about the Chelsea being the slimmest Frye we'll ever get!

photo: amazon.com

Besides the Molly, a Nordstrom anniversary sale boot that got major blog love was the Phillip Riding (pictured at right). Amazon seems to have, as of early spring 2016, a better range of sizes and colors for this one than Nordstrom ever did, and -- in many size/color combos -- is offering even kinder pricing than that exciting Nordies sale rate. It's a half-inch wider in listed circumference than the Molly, but that's still pretty slim for this brand. 

Please do post a comment if you try either of these (or the Chelsea, for that matter) on your narrow calves!  

Finally .... if you're looking for non-trendy Frye short boots for skinny ankles, I'm loving my new Jackie Gores. They're not as hip as all the moto styles out now, which I do like, but unlike those they'll still be in style next year, and many years after that, until they finally succumb to "overuse injuries" ;)  The small ankle circumference leaves space for jeans and cords but doesn't look ridiculous with just socks or tights.