Rothy's Review: These Are Our Favorite Shoes and Bags After Testing

Wu owns the Point II and appreciated how the brand incorporated more arch support into this newer version of the original Point flat. She found the shoes to fit true to size, which isn't always the case with pointed flats. "I personally have always gone half a size up in pointed flats for comfort, but I find that with this one, you can order them in your normal size as the knit fabric is structured yet forgiving," explained Wu. The extra support paired with stretchy fabric also makes these great if you have bunions.

A huge hallmark of these flats, and all Rothy's shoes, is that you can wash them in your washing machine. Separate the insoles from the shoes and wash both in cold water with mild detergent and on a delicate setting. Then let them air dry.

Wu liked the washability feature as flats can get kind of gross (we're only human!). One complaint previous testers found with Rothy's is that their feet became rather sweaty due to the knit fabric. Thankfully, easy cleaning lets you freshen up your flats.

The Mary Jane trend is here and thriving — maybe second to ballet flats in popularity. I used to steer away from Mary Jane shoes as I found the style to be frumpy, but that's not the case with Rothy's version. As Wu explained, Rothy's look sleeker than competing fabric footwear brands, and I have to agree.

From the square toe and thin strap to the knit fabric that effortlessly accommodates your feet, the Square Mary Jane is a top-seller in my mind (and among shoppers). In fact, the shoes have over 1,930 online reviews with an average 4.4 rating.

While I think a size 8 would be a more secure fit for me, I still find the 8.5 to be comfortable and have not experienced my heel slipping out from the back. The flats are easy to slip on and off and the looser fit even allows me to put in extra insoles if I want more support while walking around for multiple hours. Even without my insoles, though, I find the shoes to be supportive enough to tackle work commutes, family parties and walks around a garden.

Note that some colors (including the Soiree Pink which I own) are final sale or low in stock.

I won't lie: I feel transported to my ballet days while wearing these adorable flats. The delicate bows on the rounded toe combine girly chic with classic elegance and I haven't found a pair of pants that the cerulean blue doesn't coordinate well with.

Wu also owns these ballet flats in the glamour red color and loves them. "They have that classic, chic look, and I find them comfortable for all-day wear," she said. Both Wu and I find that these flats balance comfort and style to perfection, although note that your feet can become a bit warm on a hotter day.

Wu ordered her regular size and noted that they were a bit roomy. Since her feet swell throughout the day, the flats ended up having the perfect fit.

I ordered the size 8 (instead of my usual 8.5) and found it to be an ideal snug fit, although my toes felt a bit jammed towards the front. However, I experienced a blister on the back of my heel on my left foot and actually bled onto the shoe. I will spare you the gory details, but I appreciate that I will be able to easily wash these shoes (and hopefully get the stain out).

If you want a flat without the bow, consider this sleek flat that is similar in style with a rounded toe but has a unique v-shaped vamp. This is one of the more popular Rothy's shoes I see most often when walking around the city.

Sometimes you want to slip on a pair of shoes and go. If you are a fan of Birkenstocks, the Casual Clog may be the Rothy's shoes for you. Made of the brand's signature thread and hemp or wool (depending on color), you can toss these clogs in the wash for easy cleaning.

Assistant Commerce Editor Isabella Cavallo appreciated the molded insoles for comfort while standing for long periods. "These shoes were so breathable and my feet didn't get sweaty without socks on — something that I can not say for my other flats," she added. Cavallo also loved how she can pair these versatile clogs with both jeans or a skirt.

While Cavallo found the shoes to be cute, she had a few qualms and wasn't sure she would spend almost $160 on the clogs. Since the shoes are open back, they tend to behave like flip-flops as you walk. Cavallo experienced red marks and a cut on the top of the foot as well. She found the material to be a bit itchy, although noted that she didn't wear the shoes with a pair of socks.

Although I usually spot Rothy's flats and loafers on the sidewalks of New York, the shoe brand also sells sneakers of various heights with and without laces. The Slip On is available in 10 colors (two of which are also made of hemp) and has a flexible upper for comfort. Insoles aid in comfort as well. These sneakers have accumulated over 14,800 online shopper reviews with consumers finding the shoes fit true to size.

Product Analyst Eva Bleyer tested an older version of the shoe and continues to reach for the sneaker summer after summer. "They are super comfortable, support my bunion and are even good for my flat feet," said Bleyer. Similar to the clogs Cavallo tested, Bleyer also found the sneakers to be very versatile: "I can dress the shoes up and down." Bleyer did note that the shoes can get dirty pretty fast, perhaps due to the light cream color she owns, but she appreciates being able to easily wash them — she has put them in the washing machine over a dozen times!

One thing to note, though, is that one GH staffer's husband tried out a pair of men's sneakers, and while he found them lightweight and easy to pack, they unfortunately began to unravel after just a few months. He is still able to wear the shoes, but there wasn't an easy way to stop the knit fabric from unraveling.

Loafers have had quite the resurgence in popularity, too. When roaming Rothy's site, I was impressed with the sheer amount of loafers available, including various toe shapes and patterns.

Bleyer tested the Almond Loafer and found them very comfortable upon immediate wear and didn't experience a break-in period. Her bunion didn't hurt, and even when traveling her feet felt supported. She liked the unique almond-shaped pointy toe and dressed them up with a dress. Bleyer thought the loafer was a bit too big, but it wasn't a deal-breaker for her.

You can choose from 13 colors and patterns including classic leopard and chai twill (pictured). Note that some colors are final sale or low in stock.

I am a big fan of rounded-toe shoes, although I can be picky when it comes to loafers as I often find leather styles to be uncomfortable. That's not the case with the Lounge Loafer. True to their name, I padded around my apartment in these shoes and was impressed with the comfy, snug fit. I experienced no break-in period (unlike with the Ballet Flat) and am obsessed with the black trim around the edge of the shoe.

A tell-tale sign that someone is wearing a pair of Rothy's is the subtle blue rim on the heel. Before testing the Lounge Loafer, I wasn't crazy about this detail as I felt like it sometimes clashed with the rest of the shoe. But when styling this loafer, I came around to the extra pop of color.

Paired with a midi skirt, it looked office chic and the Venetian vamp, with a shorter upper, gave it that extra flare. Since I opted for the vanilla color (pictured), I found that the shoes became dirty pretty quickly.

Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab Senior Analyst Emma Seymour was skeptical of these loafers at first because she thought the knit fabric would be too casual. But she swiftly changed her mind and said they are "formal enough for work and chic enough to wear out of the office."

While Seymour may prefer the aesthetic of leather loafers, these are way more comfortable. "I never find traditional leather loafers comfortable (they usually leave me with painful blisters) — this pair was comfortable right of the box," reported Seymour. With or without socks, she was able to wear the shoes without pain for several hours.

I will admit that I wish the pointy toe was more rounded, but I was surprised at how supportive these loafers felt when posing for a round of photos (pictured). Like other Rothy's, these shoes are made from recycled plastic bottles as well as merino wool. I am usually sensitive to wool, but I didn't find these itchy.

The slight heel literally elevates the look and both the onyx black and teak herringbone are timeless colors.

The Driver falls in the mid-range in terms of price (less expensive than the Lug Loafer but pricier than the Almond and Lounge loafers). While I find this style to be chunkier than other Rothy's loafers, I appreciate the sturdy outsoles that feature nubby grips. I almost slipped a few times in my ballet flats as they have a less grippy outsole. The Driver solves this problem while maintaining a flexible knit upper and cushy insoles.

These loafers have over 7,300 online reviews with an overall 4.6-star rating. Most shoppers said the Driver fits true to size and commented on how cute the loafers are: "They are my go-to when I travel for work because they are comfy and cute," wrote one five-star review.

Multiple shoppers have ordered a second pair and another positive review said, " I can wear them walking for several hours and they don't rub anywhere." One shopper did note that, as with all Rothy's, their feet became a little stinky, but this was easily remedied with a quick wash.

Backless slides are another easy shoe to slide on in a rush in the spring and summer. While the shoes are still close to $140, they are slightly more affordable than other Rothy's we've included in this list.

The two criss-cross straps are boho chic, and you can choose from five colors and patterns. Like the Casual Clogs, the Weekend Slide also features a molded footbed. Wu initially found the slides comfortable but began to experience blisters because the straps dug slightly into her feet.

Still, these shoes have over 500 online reviews, with one five-star review that said, "I have been wearing these sandals nonstop." Other reviewers noted the sturdy construction, comfortable fit and stylish design. Another happy customer even wrote, "I have never had a sandal that was comfortable to wear long term."

Prior to doing a deep dive into Rothy's website, I didn't know that the brand also sells washable bags including this tote that multiple GH staffers own and love.

Deputy Director Michelle Manetti owns both the Lightweight Tote pictured here as well as the Mega Tote, great for grocery shopping, weekend travel or a day trip to the beach. The regular Lightweight Tote is not as big, but still spacious enough to fit everything you need. "I travel light to work, so it perfectly fits my 15-inch laptop, charger and a few other essentials," said Manetti. While there aren't any interior pockets, there's plenty of room to also add a makeup bag.

The best part is that you can toss this bag in the washing machine along with your Rothy's shoes. "I can't stress enough how amazing it is to be able to wash a work bag and not have to worry about compromising its shape or the look," added Manetti. No more worrying about removing stains after placing your bag on the subway floor or if your lunch spilled inside.

The only downside for Manetti is that when the bag is very full or she is wearing a winter coat, the straps tend to fall off.