by Kat Apf

Created on: August 31, 2010   Last Updated: September 20, 2010

If you grew up on the 60s and 70s, chances are you had a pair of Frye boots or you wanted a pair.  All the coolest kids had Frye boots. In New York, we had an affectionate name for them but it's not fit for print.  Think of something ranch hands might do wearing them and tending to cattle.  Most of those cool kids probably didn't know that Frye Company began in 1863, by John A Frye and Frye boots were worn in the Civil War.

John A. Frye ran the company until his death in 1911.  His son continued to run the Frye Company until 1945 when the family sold it. During World War II, many soldiers and even General Patton wore Frye boots.  They were sold via mail order throughout the War with the favorite style being the Frye Wellington Boot which had the nickname the Jet Boot.

In the 1960's, Frye reintroduced the original style called the Campus Boot. This is the style most of us know and love. The wide toe and the stacked heel were perfect.  A lot of celebrities wore Frye boots and it became a very big trend of that time period. The Smithsonian, in Washington DC,  chose a pair of Frye boots to display in the museum to represent America culture in the 1960s.  In 1993, Jimlar Corporation became a licensee for the Frye Company and bought the name Frye in 1998.  

The thing about Frye boots is they are really good quality and that's part of why they stand the test of time.  But it's not just the quality, it's the style of these boots that keeps people coming back.  They are versatile and can be worn with almost anything.  A pair of Frye boots is coveted all over the world and with good reason. Even though Frye products are not cheap, people will spend the money on them because they are such good quality and can last a very long time.  

Frye makes more than just boots.  They craft leather handbags and belts and many different leather products.  They have styles for men, women and children, too.  

In 2005, Urban Outfitters started selling Frye boots and products in their stores and via their catalogs.  Chances are, cool kids are still wearing Frye boots.  It makes you wonder if have the cool kids still have the same nickname for them that we used to.  

Source-
Thefryecompany.com

Learn more about this author, Kat Apf.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.