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




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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!" :}

Boot Cuffs: Skinny Calf Solution?

image = screen shot from Grace & Lace site -- which (update!) as of January 2018 seems to be
 focusing less on this type of legwear and more on various other apparel & accessories

Gotta cop to watching some daytime TV today. Well, listening anyway -- I often have something fluffy turned on while conquering multiple loads of laundry and doing more mundane editorial tasks. Today I actually hopped over to the screen during a Shark-Tank-focused edition of "The View" to see if the boot cuffs sold by a company called Grace and Lace might help "close the gap" for us thin-calved boot lovers.

The legwarmer solution has been known for a while in skinny calf circles, but come spring weather, legwarmers might warm the legs a bit more than we really want. Same problem, but worse, for "boot socks" (how these differ from regular long socks I'm still not sure, but apparently they're a thing...). These boot cuffs, though, could be handy. You extend your calf circumference a little to narrow the leg/boot gap up top without adding unnecessary heat or bulk elsewhere.

So what do you think? Would these work? Are they cute? Too trendy? Worth a shot at sale price? And most important, with this company selling like gangbusters, why didn't we think of this idea?! :} Do share your thoughts in Comments...

Fall 2016 update: Steve Madden has gotten into the game too, with a cute line of cable-knit and lace-topped boot cuffs priced at under $20 each. Not sure how many department stores carry them, but check your favorite shoe sources online.