Frye Melissa Button Boots Review

I've been spending anywhere from $50-$100 on cheapie riding boots every season or two, and that's definitely starting to add up.  As a result, I've been on the hunt for a quality pair of cognac leather riding boots with minimal embellishment for quite some time (read: 2+ years!), and I was willing to spend on boots that would stand up to multiple Midwestern winters, pair with practically anything from dresses to jeans, and age gracefully.

All that being said, I have wide calves (14.5"), but can sometimes squeeze into regular sized boots, and it's been more difficult than expected to find the perfect pair.  As a general rule, I try to avoid buying boots that have a less than generous shaft circumference because it leads to undesirable (in my opinion, anyway) bunching around the ankles and general discomfort.  My best shopping suggestions for ladies that need extended or narrow calf sizes include Nordstrom (all of Nordstrom's women's shoe measurements are based on the size 8), Zappos, & Endless.  Retailers like JCrew (and recently Madewell), Talbots, and Ann Taylor also carry varying boot shaft sizes.

I've tried a bunch of different boots & brands from Ralph Lauren (Stara Boots - cheaply made with subpar materials, in my opinion + a little tight around the calf), Nine West (Rachella - way too shiny & an odd looking toe shape, but a nice fit), BP by Nordstrom (Runway Boots - These are actually nice, but I was concerned that they didn't fit around my calves well.  Aili has a lovely brown pair that she adores.  If they ever go on sale, I might re-order the black pair.), Vince Camuto (Karena - leather was weirdly stiff & shaft opening was slightly too tight) and many, many more.

I think I found my ideal pair in these Melissa Button boots by Frye; the Melissa Button boots are one of Frye's best selling pairs.  The Melissa Button Boots are a pull on style featuring a 1" stacked heel, and 15" boot shaft, and 15" boot circumference for the extended calf (the regular calf measurement is just 1 inch smaller at 14").  Frye is the longest operating American footwear company; their boots are bench crafted, and if you're interested, you can learn more about Frye's heritage here.  On to the review...

Pros: The color is beautiful, and the buttery leather and materials are top notch.  Plus, they smell of really high quality leather.  :)  They're very comfortable and quite sturdy; I have no fear about tromping around in the snow for two reasons: 1) the Melissa Buttons can handle the harsh winter weather and salt with no real issues and 2) they keep my feet toasty warm.  Originally, I wasn't sold on the cowgirl-esque feel of these boots, but the more I look at them, the more I like 'em. :)  If you prefer a less Western silhouette but want the quality of Frye boots, consider the Melissa Button Back Zip Boots or Melissa Riding Boot (currently on sale at Endless for $284.99 - these have a pretty narrow calf).  Essentially, I believe these shoes were built to last, and I definitely think I'll be wearing them for years to come, and they'll still look beautiful.

Cons: My heel slips occasionally when I walk, but according to my Nordstrom SA, heel slippage is common.  They're a little tough to pull on and off, but nothing terribly inconvenient, especially armed with my trusty shoe horn.  These boots have a very slippery leather sole; slipper sole + icy streets and sidewalks = no bueno.  Unless you are an acrobat (or plan to bang up the soles a bit for some much needed traction), expect to pay extra for rubber soles that give your shoes the grip you need to move safely in the winter months; any cobbler should be able to provide this service easily.  Those things aside, however, the major drawback of these boots is price: These bad boys are expensive, retailing at $328 for the most desirable colors (black, cognac, a really lovely bordeaux, etc.) and around $317 for the less popular shades.  You can occasionally grab them for up to 20% off (on Piperlime or Endless, and we picked up the Melissa Button Back Zip at the last Nordstrom Anniversary Sale), but I've never seen deeper discounts on Frye's most popular colors and styles... and I've been checking out Frye boots, and the Melissa Button style in particular, for 3+ years.

Bottom Line: Consider Jane Squared big fans of the Melissa Button Boot by Frye.  Aili even has the black version of these boots; see me rocking 'em here!

We hope January was an amazing start to your 2012, and thank you for reading (extra points if you got through this entire thing!).

Dress: Sears (Summer 2011) | last seen here

Belt: JCrew

Bag: Jane on a Leash, Marc by Marc Jacobs | shop

Boots: Melissa Button Boots with Extended Calf in Cognac, Frye | shop