Isn’t it funny how fashion trends that fade out eventually come back in style? The bell bottoms, flares, and wide-leg jeans of the ‘60s and ‘70s fell by the wayside when skinny jeans rose to fame in the early 2000s—meanwhile, now they’re back. The frilly, lace-trimmed socks of the ‘80s and ‘90s had been just another relic of childhood, but in the past few years, they’ve reappeared, often worn with strappy heels and Mary Janes. And now, the ballet flat trend from the early 2010s has resurfaced, with many brands hopping right on board—the latest of which is Rothy’s.
For those that don’t know, Rothy’s is a sustainable footwear brand beloved for its incredibly comfortable shoes—all of which are machine-washable. While perhaps best known for its loafers (The Loafer, $169), pointed-toe flats (The Point II, $155), and sneakers (The Lace Up Sneaker, $169—which I personally can’t help but swoon over), Rothy’s recently released The Ballet Flat ($135), and it’s only a matter of time before it becomes one of the brand’s best sellers. Keep reading to learn why.
In This Article
All about The Ballet Flat from Rothy’s
Point blank: The Rothy’s Ballet Flats are adorable. The rounded flats feature a perfectly tied bow at the toe, which gives them a feminine feel that can easily be dressed up or down. Like all Rothy’s shoes, The Ballet Flats are made out of the brand’s signature thread, which is spun out of recycled plastic water bottles. (Just because they’re knit doesn’t mean they’re stretchy, though. They have a tiny bit of give but if you run between sizes, it’s best to order up.) Overall, the Rothy’s Ballet Flats are classic albeit minimalist—but they’re not without cushioning. In fact, they feature the brand’s new (removable) In Love Insole, which provides heel-to-toe comfort.
The most notable quality of The Rothy’s Ballet Flats, though, is something that all of the brand’s silhouettes have in common (as mentioned above): They’re machine-washable. Simply remove the insoles, toss them in a cold delicate wash, and let them air dry. (Whatever you do, don’t toss them in the dryer—they’ll melt.)
My review
Overall, I find The Ballet Flats from Rothy’s to be quite comfortable, not to mention undeniably cute. Once my heels got accustomed to the material, I’ve been able to wear them for longer stints, including an entire day of errands. I ordered them in a size 10.5 and, while that feels best for my heels and toes, there is some gaping around the midfoot when I take any step. Despite that, at no point do these shoes actually slip off my feet, so I think it’s just part of the design.
My biggest qualm with Rothy’s Ballet Flats (and Rothy’s, in general) is that they advertise as a footwear brand that requires zero break-in time. While the Rothy’s Lace Up Sneakers are genuinely one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes I’ve ever worn, most of the brand’s other silhouettes have rubbed my feet at first—never to the point of being raw, though, simply because the moment I feel friction (before it becomes painful), I put a blister guard (god bless Band-Aid Hydro Seal Blister Cushions) on to prevent it from getting worse. In the instance of the Rothy’s Ballet Flats, I found the navy blue-lined heel to be a smidge stiffer than I normally like and due to its height, it sits right at my Achilles, so I could feel it with every step. Over time, though, I’ve become accustomed to it, and now, I do find them to be very, very comfortable.
The only other thing I don’t love about The Ballet Flats is that, despite being knit, they’re not very breathable. Every time I wore them, I had sweaty soles seemingly within seconds. That said, the material is very versatile and can be dressed up or down seamlessly. I find that the fabric works just as well for brunch and errands as it does for the office and a night out. (I’m even wearing them as part of my Chiquita Banana Halloween costume—they’re perfect!) All this to say, if you’re ready to revisit your former favorite ballet flat trend, there’s no time like the present, nor is there a more durable silhouette than Rothy’s.
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