Oh, boots with buttons, how I love thee…there’s something about this old-fashioned style that really blows my skirt up. Frye’s version of the button boot is perfectly Victorian and modern at the same time, with piping and a round toe complementing a leather sole and curvy heel. The cranberry color is unexpected in a style this traditional, but it comes in four other colors, including slate grey and navy blue.
This boot has a 4″ heel, but the tiny 1/2″ platform means it is probably more stable and comfortable to wear than most high heels. The shaft measures 15″ – 17″, depending on where you measure from, and is decorated with antique brass filigree buttons. There’s an inside zipper in matching antique brass so you don’t have to fumble with all those buttons (most of us don’t have buttonhooks these days).
As with most things that are both beautiful and high-quality, the Frye Matildas are not inexpensive. At $450 they are not something you could realistically collect in every color, unless you’re independently wealthy or want to eat Ramen for dinner all winter. But the style is timeless, and Frye boots are made to last a lifetime, so they are a good investment. Go get ‘em at Zappos, Endless, or the Frye website. Note: Some reviews say that the shaft of this boot runs narrow, so if you can’t try them on before buying, check the specs and measure your calves before ordering to be sure they will fit.