Trend Cycling: The Frye Boot Phenomenon
Frye boots keep coming back — are they worth it? Think twice before you buy into this latest footwear trend.
My TikTok is flooded with videos about the highly sought-after Frye boots — specifically, the Campus boot. Creators are posting about finding the boots at thrift stores for $100, pairs that their moms passed down to them from the 90s, or selling the shoes to pay for expenses like plane tickets and college tuition. With such commotion around these shoes, what makes the Frye boot so desirable?
First, we must discuss the trend cycle. This allows us to understand the Frye boot’s repetitive trendiness over the past few decades. Most fashion lovers know that all trends cycle in and out on a predictable time scale. The typical length of the trend cycle used to be 20 years. The explosion of social media and unsustainable clothing company practices have shortened that cycle, which now stands at about ten years.
Frye boots trended heavily in the 1990s. Celebrities like Jennifer Aniston wore these boots frequently during that decade. This naturally created a widespread fad, as trends almost always emerge when celebrities wear a certain brand or style enough. The boots eventually phased out but returned in the early 2010s — 20 years later, following the original aforementioned trend cycle timeline.
Social media and the Frye boot
Trends tend to come back slightly different each time. For example, this creator’s post states that her Frye boots from several years ago are too “Christian girl autumn.” The only element that makes these boots “out of trend” is the added buckles on the side that aren’t part of the currently trending Campus boot.
This TikTok also shows the significant role social media plays in trend cycling. Social media exposes us to so many more opinions, styles, and trends than we would see without apps like TikTok and Instagram. That is evident in this video because the creator worries she is embodying a different trend than the one that she wants to be wearing.
Celebrities + the Frye boot
Because of social media, we also have more access to photos of celebrities and singers. Similar to Jennifer Aniston back in the 90s, pop-culture icons of today fuel the trend even more. Olivia Rodrigo also wore Frye boots back in April. Since the 21-year-old is a big style inspiration for many girls her age, she is even more likely to have a role in fueling a fashion trend such as this one.
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Celebrity wear gives Frye boots a bit of a social status. Because of their high price tag (around $500!), they are unattainable for many people. The demographic for this trend is people in their late teens and early 20s. Many people at this age do not have the money to buy Frye boots at full price. Alternatively, many look for these boots at thrift stores instead of buying them from the retailer.
Thrifting Frye boots
Thrifting Frye boots has become so popular that a search for “thrifted Frye boots” on TikTok brings up a slew of videos. Creators see themselves as extremely lucky to thrift these boots, which is fair considering the price. However, people go crazy for the boots in the comment sections. People flood the comment section saying they’re jealous or wish they had the same luck as the original thrifter.
This infatuation with thrifting Frye boots shows just how closely young adults feel the need to follow trends. The Campus boot, the particular style currently trending, barely has any attributes that are exclusive to the Frye brand. A search for Frye boot alternatives shows many boots that have similar traits for a fraction of the cost. The tall height, slim foot, and block heel are found on many other shoe companies.
The boots keep coming back — aren’t they timeless?
Scouring the internet for media and articles on this topic led me to wonder if the Frye boot could be considered timeless. Looking at various articles has led me to believe that at this time, they are not. While the boots are made to last, it seems like the public can’t decide which style to make timeless. Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of something being timeless? As seen in the first TikTok, the creator does not think that her Frye boots are trendy enough. Does our algorithm push us so hard that a few buckles on the side of a trending brand’s boot make it unacceptable?
Through examples like celebrities and social media, it becomes evident that algorithms also cause like-minded individuals to become very similar in terms of fashion and style. When social media pushes a certain aesthetic or trend onto people’s feeds, everyone starts feeling the need to adopt it. This happens whether or not the wearer truly finds the trend appealing.
I can see this happening a lot with Frye boots. Someone might be unsure if they want to dedicate the money to the shoes (or the time to thrift them) but decide to go for it solely because of the saturation of content they see. After the boots sit for a while in a closet without being used, the buyer realizes that maybe they didn’t have to buy them after all.
Be realistic!
Our algorithms fan the fire of the trend cycle phenomenon. Before this summer, the Campus boot was not trending. Those who are very into fashion likely knew of Frye and the brand’s other offerings, but until now, it wasn’t all over people’s feeds. In the last few months, the algorithm has created a craze for one style of Frye boots. That is what solidifies my belief that this piece, which is built to last, is simply a trend.
Frye boots in various styles will very likely be in and out a few times in our lifetime. The original Frye boot is a long-lasting, well-made piece. However, this trend is not. I find it unreasonable for college-age individuals to feel the need to invest in such an item at this point in their lives. If you want to invest in Frye boots but are unsure if you can swing it at this point in your life, think twice about dropping $500 on a pair of shoes that might not be trending in a few short seasons.
Article first published by Trill Mag!
