I had originally scheduled this to go out in a couple of weeks, but with the Friends and Family1 event happening now, I thought it might help if you're in the market for new shoes. Select shoes are 20% off. Use code FALLFRIENDS at checkout.
Shopping for shoes online has always been a challenge for me. Years of classical dance, bunions, and wearing heels to add to my 5'3" height have made finding good shoes tougher than I anticipated. When I moved back to the Bay Area years ago, I was thrilled to finally let go of wearing heels, except for special occasions like weddings. But I still have a weakness for edgy shoes — after all, they can make or break an outfit! With the Bay Area's laid-back style, I could trade in my heels and wedges, but I found myself on the hunt for shoes that were interesting, chic, and most importantly, comfortable.
When I became friends with a fellow new hire at my company in 2018, I had to ask her where her fabulous boots were from (hi, Alison!). She was the best-dressed person at our office — everything she wore screamed effortless style. She said her boots were from Frēda Salvador. I had heard of the brand but hadn’t taken the time to check them out, as I was still transitioning from a “dresses/skirts + heels” wardrobe to a “sweater + jeans + boots” lifestyle to suit my new location.
When I did take a moment to look into the brand and products, I immediately fell head over heels (no pun intended) for Frēda Salvador. Founded by women, Cristina Palomo Nelson and Megan Papay, this brand truly understands the balance of fashion and function in our wardrobe. Based in Sausalito, California, their products are handcrafted in family factories in Spain and El Salvador. Above everything, the quality is EXCEPTIONAL. My oldest pair from 2018 looks as good as my newest pair from this year, and I don’t take any special care of them. The construction of these shoes (and their bags!) makes it so that you can wear them with abandon.
Here are a few details that might help you decide if Frēda Salvador is right for you. I have normal-width, size 7 feet, but my toes curl inward, making me prone to blisters in most closed-toed shoes. I always wear some type of sock (except with sandals) and have a variety of thin/slim socks in different tones and styles to suit the shape of each shoe.
I also live in the Bay Area, where extreme climate is rare. Between the weather and my primary WFH lifestyle, almost every pair I own from this brand is suitable year-round, making the cost per wear a great investment.
I currently own six pairs of Frēda shoes (plus a pair of house slippers I haven’t worn yet, so I can’t review those). I purchased these over the years and still wear every single pair regularly.
BROOKE RAIN RESISTANT BOOT - MINK SUEDE WATER RESISTANT
Year purchased: Late 2023
Best for: Spring, Fall and mild Winters
Oh man, these are the most comfortable Chelsea boots. This color goes with everything in my wardrobe, and the waterproof Italian mink suede makes them perfect for three out of four seasons. The heel gives me just the right amount of height boost, which I always appreciate. This style works with everything from dresses to jeans, and they’re great for chasing after a toddler (better than sneakers, in my opinion). They make outfits instantly more polished, and with a comfy sock, they’re perfect for travel as well as walking all day in the city. The tread on these shoes is really solid, making me feel safe when walking on slippery streets, especially after it rains. These will be my go-to shoes for fall and ‘winter’. They come in multiple color-ways, some are suede and some are leather so you have options. They're currently 20% off during the Friends and Family event. Use code FALLFRIENDS at checkout.
LIGHT HALO LOAFER - BLACK CALF
Year purchased: Early 2021
Best for: Spring, Summer, Fall, mild Winter potentially
These were the second pair I bought from Frēda, years ago. My style isn’t particularly preppy, so loafers aren’t a staple in my wardrobe, but the distinctive brass halo hardware and the pointed toe on this pair gives this shoe edge and interest. I wear them a lot when I want to bring in some menswear style to tone down an outfit that's too "cute." After years of wear, they still look new. Loafers are a major trend for fall, and if you’re looking for something different, these are worth checking out. They’re currently 20% off during the Friends and Family event. Use code FALLFRIENDS at checkout.
JADA SQUARE TOE BALLET FLAT - LATTE CLOSED WOVEN CALF
Year purchased: Early 2024
Best for: Spring, Summer, Fall
Between ballet flats and mary janes, flats have been having a moment these past few years. This pair from Frēda are my most recent purchase from earlier this year, and I’ve worn them a ton this summer. The neutral latte tone makes it easy to pair with most outfits, and the square toe and woven design make them cool and less twee. The padded footbed makes these shoes really comfortable, but I wear super-thin, no-show liner to avoid any potential irritation on my toes from the weaving. Another versatile shoe that works with everything from dresses to jeans and comes in a ton of colors. One thing I wish I had done before wearing these shoes for the first time is add a grip to the soles. The soles are smooth, and I did notice myself slipping slightly on the first wear. However, after wearing them a couple of times, that issue went away. Currently 20% off during the Friends and Family event. Use code FALLFRIENDS at checkout.
LORETTA WESTERN BOOT - BONE SUEDE
Year purchased: Mid 2022
Best for: Spring, Summer, Fall and mild Winters
I bought these on a whim a couple of years ago. I figured I had enough dresses to wear with them and wanted something comfortable with a bit of heel during pregnancy. Again a great pair of shoes to tone down an overtly feminine outfit. Since the boots aren’t tight around the ankle or calf, they even work well in the summer. The light suede can get dirty, but I’ve been able to clean them easily. I usually wear random socks with these, and so far, no blisters or discomfort. This color way is sold out, but there are three other color way options (Black suede, Blue denim, and Black calf with studs). It's not a style I ever thought I needed, but after having them for a couple years, I can say with certainty they definitely makes my outfits better. This style is currently 20% off during the Friends and Family event. Use code FALLFRIENDS at checkout.
ARROYO WESTERN BOOTS - BLACK LEATHER
Year purchased: Late 2018?
Best for: Spring, Fall and mild Winters
These were my first pair and introduction to the brand — I think I got them in 2018! I love the design and details of this pair. Back when studded boots were all the rage, I wanted something more muted, and these fit the bill. I wore them a LOT with my skinny jeans - remember those? Unfortunately, this style isn’t available anymore, but there are plenty of other boots on their site worth checking out.
LEA SLIDES - WHITE CROC EFFECT
Year purchased: Mid 2023
Best for: Summer, Beach
Another pair that isn’t currently available, so I won’t go into too much detail. These are primarily my vacation shoes. I added some thin silicone grips to the inside to prevent slipping while coming in and out of the pool or beach. They’re practical, easy to wear, and make it into my suitcase for beach vacations.
LOU BAG
Year purchased: Late 2022
Best for: Year-round
Besides the shoes, I also have the Lou bag (seen above) from Frēda, which I wore crossbody during my pregnancy and now wear over the shoulder. It's the perfect size to hold my phone, keys, lip balm, hand sanitizer, hairpin, and a snack, with some space to spare. Despite heavy use, it shows no signs of wear. While this bag is no longer available, Frēda offers other well designed, interesting bags, if you're in the market for one.
I purposely left out any styling or outfit ideas in this newsletter because what really got me excited about this brand years ago — and what still gets me to open every email today — is how the Frēda Salvador team styles their shoes and bags. It's the opposite of cookie-cutter and feels so fresh. If you're looking for inspiration, just check out their site and Instagram. Inspo for days!
If you're in the market for new shoes, or if you've been considering Frēda Salvador, I hope this was helpful! If you have any questions, feel free to reply to this email or leave a comment. I'm happy to help if I can.
OTHER NOTES:
Brand Cofounder
has a newsletter all about styling - definitely worth checking out!- wrote a whole article all about loafers. Worth a read!
My friend
mentioned that she likes Crep spray for suede. I’ve never used it, but I trust Sam, so I’ll be checking it out soon to prep my suede shoes before the rainy season hits.
There are affiliate links used in this newsletter which means I may get a small commission if you buy something (at no cost to you). Thank you for supporting my work and trusting my recommendations!
Love Freda Salvador! I just sprayed my new suede Elba loafers with the Crep spray to keep them looking fresh all season long ;)
Love Freda Salvador! I’m such a loafers and flats girl and I love theirs so much