Sustainable Style: Are Rothy's All Hype or Plastic's Happily Ever After?

If you're a woman who has spent any time on social media, you've likely seen the ads for Rothy's. These sustainable flats have been seen on the feet of Silicon Valley tech professionals, celebrities, and politicians. There are Rothy's fan clubs that trade and sell "unicorn" shoes, or those discontinued but highly coveted colors and patterns, who share pictures of colorful shoe collections. But do these plastic shoes live up to the hype?

It took me a while to take the plunge, and I think it's worth sharing the good, the bad, and the confusing so that you can make a decision about whether or not this shoe brand is right for you. I am just a consumer and am not being compensated in any way for this review. All opinions are just that-- opinions, and should be treated as such.

Now, on to the fun part!

About a year ago I tried out Rothy's new-at-the-time Chelsea boot, which is honestly less of a boot, and more of a high top slip-on sneaker. This is pretty obvious when you buy it-- they all have cream or white soles. At the time of this writing, Rothy's has actually released an ankle boot that is truly a boot, but the Chelsea label still remains.

I purchased the Chelsea in black and actually returned them. Not because I didn't like them, but because I already had something similar. For the price, I didn't want something close to what I already had in my closet. I actually did this a handful of times, purchasing a pair of glen plaid flats in my street size (9), which, while I thought they were comfortable, I tried on with a pair of my current favorite Anne Klein Sport black flats*, and there was just no comparison, unfortunately.

* affiliate link, and note-- I buy a half size down from my usual size in this brand.

Back they went, as well. Luckily Rothy's has free shipping and free returns, which you'll likely need at some point because their sizing is just not consistent or true to size. In fact, that's what held me back for a bit from trying again. There are groups of Rothy's fans who actually share advice about sizing, not only for the shoe style but even for different colors that may have been sized slightly differently.

I've acquired a collection over this past year-- blame it on the need for excitement and increase in online shopping-- so here is everything that you need to know about Rothy's shoes. My opinion, of course.

The Good

My Rothy's Collection

They're really cute.

Rothy's has a fool-proof formula of classic shoes in fun colors, and they can easily become a closet staple. They regularly release limited colors, either in their physical locations or for holidays like Black Friday, and they've perfected the game of scarcity. It's not unusual to see coveted pairs, often referred to as "unicorns", resold for hundreds of dollars apiece.

If you're someone who likes the fit and likes classic closet staples that last, even at a slightly higher price point, these might be right for you.

Free shipping.

At the time of this writing, and again, not a guarantee and only based on my experience, these shoes ship free. You can also exchange for the same style in a new color or size (or both) very easily online if your first selection doesn't work out.

They're made from recycled plastic.

There's no question about it-- the fact that Rothy's are knit from a yarn made of recycled water bottles is pretty freaking cool.

They're washable.

Sweaty feet, spills, muddy puddles, etc. are no longer worthy of panic. Just toss Rothy's into the cold cycle and they're practically new.

The Bad

They can be pricey.

Everyone has a different budget, but Rothy's are not coming in at a low price point, with the cheapest adult sizes starting at $125. They increase from there, so it's up to you to determine if the pros justify the price. 

Additionally, Rothy's is not known for sales. Single-use loyalty coupons, referral codes, and a special discount page for teachers and first responders (yes, with proof) are the limit. You might luck out if you buy pre-owned, or if you have small enough feet to fit the kids' sizes.

The sizing is insane.

Rothy's website encourages consumers to size up, usually about a half size. I'm here to tell you that this is simply not enough, and many, many Rothy's fans size up anywhere from half of a size to two full sizes depending on the style, and sometimes even on the color. Over time, fans have noted changes, from the rise in the vamp on points, different heel heights, and certain colors running smaller or larger than others. Some customers even order Rothy's releases in multiple sizes to ensure they get a perfect fit. Even wilder, some will order two of the same size because sometimes the sizing is inconsistent even with the same shoe.

For reference, I am a street size 9, almost reliably. I wear a 9.5 in Rothy's flats and 10 in every other style. Note that I swap out the insoles in sneakers and Chelseas, and my grey Chelseas ("graphite melange" if you're fancy) are my go-to shoes this season. Your mileage may vary.

There are fakes.

Like any good product, there are nefarious souls willing to fraudulently mark counterfeit Rothy's. This means you might see legitimate-looking social media ads that promise deep discounts on Rothy's flats. If you spot these, don't debate. They're fake.

They are not waterproof.

They're washable, but they're still a knit fabric. If you think your Rothy's sneakers are going to protect you in the rain, you're in for a soggy surprise. No puddle jumping in these!

They could use some more support.

This one is up for debate. Some say that Rothy's are the most comfortable shoes they've ever worn, and in some ways, I can see how that would be the case, especially once we start talking about sneakers and Chelseas. It's not unheard of for Rothy's fanatics to remove a midsole or swap out the Rothy's insole for an Allbirds or other more comfortable insole. If you've never had foot problems or issues with flats in general, this may not be the case for you. I personally expect to need to give my shoes additional support, so I'm okay with making modifications as needed. That said, these shoes aren't cheap, either, so it's not unreasonable to expect more support out of the box.

All of that to say...

I'm a big fan of Rothy's, and I wear them pretty regularly. Honestly, when I think of "shoe addicts" I think of Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw, stilettos, and shoes that just don't work for this point in my life, or my lifestyle. But Rothy's definitely have a place in my life, mixed in with a pair of Uggs, Sperry's boots, and some Allbirds sneakers. I won't go out of my way to "make them work" just because they're Rothy's, but when they release a color or pattern that I love in a style that I'll wear, I'll probably snag a pair.

Plus, their Black Friday plaid loafers were AMAZING this year and they make me smile every time I wear them.

Friends can receive a discount by using my link on their first qualifying purchase. I may also received a reward at no extra cost to you.