Frye Campus Boots: The Newest Fall Staple

The question most people are asking this fall: Are these boots a fad or are they here to stay?

BY Nora Collins ★ November 2nd, 2025

Photo Credit: Ava Mullen

Frye Campus Boots consume my Instagram feed. These boots are everywhere on campus — a darty staple that elevates every outfit.

The Frye Company, founded in 1863, surged popularity this fall, after they first rose to fame in the 1990s. These boots are tall and made with high-quality leather that comes in an array of classic fall colors like browns, yellows and greens. While these boots are trendy, they are certainly not cheap. Frye Campus Boots retail for $489.00, and despite the price, they often sell out.

Due to the cost, a wave of Frye boots “dupes” hit the market. Companies such as Target and Amazon have been capitalizing on the trend and creating cheaper, similar-looking boots. Affordable dupes let shoppers hop on the trend without dropping almost $500 dollars. 

People all over style these boots in many ways. On the Syracuse campus, students pair these leather boots with denim shorts or denim mini-skirts. These boots have the potential to elevate a simple outfit by adding the texture, color and character from the leather. Also, many people pair the boots with loose-fitting shorts and dresses, and often wear high socks under them to add something extra to an outfit. 

So, are these boots a fad or a fixture? My take: these boots are here to stay. With winter approaching and the Frye Company thriving, these boots can be styled with any cold-weather clothing item. Even with a sweater and a pair of jeans you’ll appear stylish and chic. Go grab a pair of Frye boots, or dupes (we won’t tell anyone), and start styling!

Edited by: Alexa Murland