Two Rothy’s Reds

Have you tried Rothy’s shoes yet? If not, you should. All women know the struggle of finding a comfortable flat, although I think we are all equally perplexed as to why it is a struggle to find a comfortable flat. They pinch or they gap or they rub… it seems like a basic task for the footwear industry, but for some reason, a well-designed flat is more rare than a decent parking space at Costco on Saturday afternoon.

Being dyed-in-the-wool EXTRA as I am, it’s no surprise that my personal quest eventually led me to Tieks, which are “the most versatile flats in the world” and “made of the finest Italian leathers.” I am passionately in love with my Tieks, and I wear them even in rainy Seattle, but I did want an option that wouldn’t make me bristle when I accidentally step in a puddle up to my shin or when an overenthusiastic first grader waves a dripping paint brush as I’m helping with an art project.

Rothy’s are the other side of the EXTRA spectrum: recyclable and machine washable, they are a sustainable product that reduces your carbon footprint while increasing your style points. My kids are always grumbling that my gas-guzzling minivan is killing polar bears, so now I can raise an eyebrow and ask whether THEIR shoes are made from recycled water bottles. Oooh, tsk tsk. Bummer for those poor innocent polar bears.

I first purchased a pair of Rothy’s The Flat in Navy Solid about a year ago, and they are perfect for pairing with my dark skinny jeans. Then I purchased The Sneaker in Steel Gray on a whim when the style was released in the fall, and I adore them with cuffed casual jeans. But now I have a need (yes, I said a NEED) for a pair of easy-care deep red flats, and I was eyeing two different styles on Rothy’s web site.

I don’t know if any self-respecting adult woman can use the term “birthday money,” but here it is: I received some cash for my birthday and decided this was going to be my purchase. I studied the product photos for The Point in Chile Red and The Loafer in Dark Red, and for the life of me, I saw no difference. With free shipping and returns, clearly I was going to have to see them in person to decide.

They arrived on Valentine’s Day, which seemed especially appropriate — and only 3 days after I ordered them, yay speedy shipping! I took some comparison pictures that I’ll post below, in case you too have been squinting at your screen muttering in confusion about the different shades. (Sonia and I are a bit obsessed with color, having both consulted with personal color analysts, and my seasonal color “fans” feature heavily in my photos. Ignore them for now if they are unfamiliar, and I’ll post more about them soon.)

Final verdict: I’m going to keep The Loafer in Dark Red. The Point in Chili Red is slightly brighter (its bold red threads are uniform throughout, while Dark Red is a combination of red with maroon threads) and infinitely sexier, but The Loafer fits the need — yes, I said NEED — better in this particular case. Next on my Rothy’s wishlist: The Point in Black Honeycomb. Yum!