I Hated Rothy’s Shoes—Until I Cracked the Code on the Brand's Tricky Sizing

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Meghan Markle has worn the brand for years.

Over the last month, I have agonized over what to do with all the heels I used to wear when I covered movie premieres and Fashion Week parties for InStyle in New York City. Since moving to Los Angeles, I've learned the art of laid-back California style—think Jenni Kayne, Staud, Nili Lotan, basically anything Gwyneth wears to the office. (Fun fact: The GOOP founder's mom, the actress Blythe Danner, once told me that she almost named her daughter Bronwyn but decided on Gwyneth!) Now I'm building a new shoe wardrobe to match, but finding flat shoes that are chic and comfortable is not easy.

As a sometime shoe tester, I've tried out all kinds of flats, from “tech bro” sneakers to affordable "dupe" brands—and I donated them all after the testing period ended. So the first time I saw a pair of Rothy’s ballet flats, I felt a glimmer of hope. They are adorable, made sustainably using recycled plastic bottles, and washable. They have celebrity cachet—Meghan Markle wore The Point flats just a few months ago—and my colleagues rave about them.

Still, after trying three pairs of Rothy's (flats, loafers, and clogs) I was ready to swear off the brand forever. Why did I hate Rothy's shoes? Now that I know the secret, I'll teach you how to choose the perfect pair of Rothy's just in time to shop their epic Cyber Sale for up to 30% off sitewide right now.

Rothy’s The Square Mary Jane

These are the Rothy's square-toe Mary Jane flats that changed everything.

$99 at rothys.com

Instead of guesstimating which size I'd be, ordering them online, and hoping that they'd fit, I visited the Rothy's outpost in LA's Larchmont Village to try them on IRL. The size 9 was definitely snug, so I went up to a 9.5. They were snug too—more on that in a minute—so I sized up to a 10, and was pleasantly surprised to find that my toes didn’t feel crowded and my heels weren't slipping out when I walked around the store.

How to Find Your Rothy’s Shoe Size

The reason it wasn't love at first wear with Rothy's? I kept ordering the wrong size. The durable knit uppers don’t stretch, and you probably won't be the same size in every Rothy's style. Here are some helpful tips for finding your perfect fit.

• Forget Everything You Know About Your Shoe Size: For this story, I spent more than 10 hours wearing various styles of Rothy's shoes, an hour researching the brand, and 1 1/2 hours driving to and from the nearest Rothy's boutique to try on every style of clog, loafer, and ballet flat in stock. And I still don't understand the logic behind the brand's sizing. Just be prepared to size up in certain styles, and down in others, and know that it'll be worth it when you find the ones.

• Read Customer Reviews: There are tons of rave reviews on Rothy's website, but many also include a note about having to return or exchange their original purchase for a different size. Reading through other reviews can help you determine whether that particular style runs true to size or not.

• Do an IRL Fit Check: If you have a Rothy’s store near you, head in and try on sizes in different styles until you find the pairs that fit you best. The 3D knit upper will never stretch out, so if they feel too snug in the store, they’ll feel too snug once you hit the streets. Some styles come in half sizes, taking some of the guesswork out of ordering but others, like clogs, only come in full sizes and typically run large.

Rothy's Styles I'm Buying Next

Now that I know the secret to finding the right sizes, these are the Rothy's shoe styles I've added to my shopping wish list.

Final Verdict: Are Rothy’s Ballet Flats Worth It?

Are Rothy's worth the investment? The answer is a resounding, "Yes, but..."

Rothy’s flats can be the most comfortable shoes you own, IF you purchase them in the right size. But that can be more challenging than it sounds. Here's some more good news: All Rothy's shoes are up to 30% off right now. Keep scrolling to shop the brand's best sellers while they're discounted.

Rothy's Best Sellers

Rothy's The Flat

$89 at Amazon

$89 at rothys.com

This is the first pair of Rothy’s I ever wore, they were too small for me. If I were to buy them again (and I might) I'd size up from a 9.5 to a 10.

Rothy’s The Casual Clog

$119 at rothys.com

These clogs tend to run big. Like, really big. I’m usually somewhere between size 9 and 10, often a perfect 9.5, but I was an 8 in both the Casual and the Cozy Clog.

Rothy’s Lug Sole Loafer

$159 at rothys.com

These lug sole loafers are perfect for the season, and I love the addition of a chunky heel for added height. A 9.5 fits true to size on me.

Why Shop With Us

Bronwyn Barnes | I have over 20 years of experience testing and reviewing fashion trends and products. For this story, after trying and failing to find the right size in Rothy’s The Casual Clog, the Flat, and the Lug Loafer, I headed to the brand’s outpost in LA’s Larchmont Village to find out why I seemed to be the only person who didn’t consider Rothy’s shoes to be comfortable. After spending an hour consulting with the store’s friendly employees, trying on just about every style of Rothy’s ballet flats, and jumping in to help another customer find her perfect pair, I finally see what all the hype is about. Now that I know that Rothy’s ballet flats run small, their clogs run big, and their loafers run pretty much true to size, I’m ready to add more of the brand’s 3D knit styles to my cart.