The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Frye Spring 2011 Preview




On Tuesday October 19 I attended the Frye Spring 2011 collection preview in their Manhattan showroom. Staying true to their classic, rugged signature styles, Frye presented a solid collection of covetable leather shoes and handbags with a few new twists and styles thrown into the mix to keep things fresh. There were flats and hobos with a new metallic color treatment; some dry-washed boots that had that perfectly worn-in look; stud detailing (still subdued but about as glam as Frye is ever going to get) and the introduction of chukka boots in pastel hues, plus reimagined over-the-knee boots, huarache sandals, boat shoes and platform sandals. The cork wedge sandals were incredibly light and would look lovely with floaty dresses and denim shorts alike.



Bohemian-inspired crossbody bags and colorful thong sandals were some of the more affordable ways you could get the Frye look without spending a fortune. However, I feel the price of Frye's boots are totally justified by the value that comes from the cost-per-wear - it's been said these boots will last forever with proper care and treatment, so if you save up for some, I think it's a good investment. The only downer is that Frye boots are largely manufactured in Mexico, which is great and I totally get globalization, but I can't help but feel we're losing a bit of our American heritage. True story: I bought a pair of Frye boots about a year ago from iOffer.com (kinda like eBay.com) - terrible site, I might add, you're better off buying Fryes from a reputable store like Shopbop.com - guaranteed by the seller as genuine, authentic Frye boots. When I checked the label, they said "Made in China." I was crestfallen and assumed they were fake. But at Tuesday's preview, I asked a PR rep if they could in fact be real and she said it's totally possible as the Frye company has ties with both Mexico and China (it was unclear whether the parts come from China or what, she didn't really know.) Anyways, I just don't understand how a company that prides itself on being made in the USA since 1893 can just ship everything overseas and still charge such hefty prices. C'est la vie. More glorious photos below...













































Photo credit: TheBudgetBabe.com
Comments
Oh, Frye. You can do no wrong.
#1 Sally (Homepage) on 2010-10-21 14:14 (Reply)
It's a perfect collections from footwear to handbags. It has different transition of styles... FRY is still the best...
#2 yen (Homepage) on 2010-10-22 00:57 (Reply)
oh my. i need those otk boots. love them.
#3 amarie on 2010-10-23 07:28 (Reply)
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