familyservicehub I opened my closet the other morning and realized I was trying to make the same worn-out sneakers work with everything.
They’re fine for errands. They’re less convincing with the trousers I wear to work, and I don’t really want to wear them to dinner, either. So I made a short list: a pair of loafers for work, something easy for weekends, and a flat I could wear when I wanted to look a little more put together.
I expected to spend the evening jumping between shoe stores. Then I started browsing Rothy’s and found all three types in its women’s collection.
First, the pair I’d wear to work
I wanted loafers because they make my usual trousers and sweater look finished without feeling too dressy. But I’ve owned the kind that look perfect online and stay in the closet because they’re too stiff for the walk to the train.
Rothy’s has several loafer styles, so I could compare shapes instead of settling for the first pair that came up in a search. Some have cushioned footbeds, and many of the brand’s shoes use flexible knit materials. I’d still read the fit advice for the exact style before ordering, especially if I planned to walk in them all day. At least I’d be choosing a loafer with my actual commute in mind.
Then, something for the days I’m in jeans
For weekends, I wanted a shoe I could put on to get coffee, browse a store and keep wearing if plans changed. Rothy’s has flats and Mary Janes that would work with the jeans and sweaters I already own. If I wanted something more casual, I could look at its sneakers too.
That made shopping easier. I wasn’t trying to find one shoe that somehow worked for every outfit. I could pick a shape for each part of my week and compare them in the same place.
And yes, I spent too long looking at the colors
Once I knew which styles I wanted, I got to the fun part. I could keep the work loafers neutral and choose a more interesting color for the flats. Or I could do the opposite and let the loafers be the part of a simple outfit that stands out.
I’ve bought shoes from other stores where I loved the shape but only liked one color—or loved the color but couldn’t find a style I’d actually wear. Having different shapes and colors to browse made it easier to picture the shoes with clothes already in my closet.
The washable part is what makes me want to wear them
New shoes always get a few careful outings. Then real life takes over: a damp sidewalk, something spilled at lunch, or a mark I don’t notice until I get home.
With some shoes, cleaning becomes such a project that I stop reaching for them. Rothy’s shoes are machine washable, which is a big reason I kept browsing. Their care instructions say to wash in cold water and let the shoes air dry, with some details varying by material and style. I’d check the instructions for the pairs I choose, but I like knowing I can clean them and put them back into regular rotation.
That’s the difference I care about most. Plenty of shoes look good when they’re new. I’m shopping for pairs I’ll still want to wear after a busy week.
I haven’t decided on the colors yet. I’m going to check the fit guide before I order, too. But it feels good to have my whole list in one place: loafers for work, an easy weekend pair, and flats for the days I want to change up my usual outfit.
If your shoe list looks anything like mine, browse the collection by style first. It’s much easier to choose once you can see what you’d actually wear each pair with.