I’ve been a Rothy’s fan since early 2018 and my very first blog talking about them was “Let’s Talk About Rothy’s: Are They Worth the Money?” Over the years, I’ve alternatively loved the brand and been disappointed by the brand. They’re still relatively new to the shoe world… so some growing pains are typical. Now, just two years after I fell in love with The Point, they have a whole slew of offerings including kid’s shoes (love them), purses (don’t love them) and masks (haven’t tried them). I’ve enjoyed their slip-on sneakers for the last year or so, so when they launched The Lace Up… a sneaker with laces, I was intrigued.
Actually, I thought they were ugly.
Let’s be honest. They look a little like grandma shoes. But, with my love of swoopy sweaters, midi skirts, and all things Eileen Fisher… they grew on me.
Here’s the breakdown:
- They cost $165
- They come in whole sizes only, sizes 5 – 13
- Lace Up colors available: vanilla, lilac, bright white, spearmint, and navy
- They are knit with thread spun from repurposed plastic bottles and the footbed is made with plant-based materials.
- They are washable, but keep them away from the dryer.
I had some referral credits sitting in my account, so I decided to order a pair of Lilac Lace Ups for science. I typically wear an 8.5 in most shoes and a 9.5 in boots. Rothy’s sizes are their own thing though… in Rothy’s I tend to wear an 8.5 in slip-on sneakers, an 8.5 in the Chelsea, and a 9.5 in the points (I am a 9 in some older points and have also switched out insoles for a better fit). With all that being said, I ordered a size 9 in the lace ups.
Here are the ones I ordered: Lilac Lace Up
My initial thoughts:
I really, really like the look of these in person. The texture in the knit is super cool and I like the brown rubber sole… it makes them look a bit fancier than your average sneaker. The knit is also really soft, so I can easily wear the lace ups with no socks and be comfortable. I am a bit concerned that the lilac color – although it is gorgeous – kind of blends in with my pale skin.
When it comes to comfort, these are pretty wonderful. The top of the shoe hugs my ankle and doesn’t rub at all. In fact, the inside of the tongue has a terrycloth finish which feels really nice. The width fits well on my regular/medium width feet. There is a little extra length though, but not enough that I could go down a size. This way, if I want to throw on a pair of socks, I have some extra room.
Trying them in real life:
I decided to try the lilac lace ups on with three of my typical outfits to see if they fit in to my existing wardrobe. Because nobody needs a cute shoe that goes with literally nothing in their closet!
Outfit #1: Embroidered blouse and jean shorts
This was the outfit I was wearing the day I wanted to take photos, so I just switched out my Birkenstocks with the lace ups. This is kind of a cute look and the sneakers make it look a little sportier. I think I’d probably like this better with a more casual t-shirt, but I had dressed for a Zoom call (party up top and comfort down below).
Outfit #2: T-shirt and distressed jeans
Okay, this is probably the exact outfit I’d wear with the lace ups. This is my uniform all fall, winter and spring… adding in a sweater when it gets chilly. I love the way these look with these boyfriend jeans and I can see them being equally as cute with a pair of ankle-length skinny jeans. Love this combo!
Outfit #3: Casual dress and Casual dress and jean jacket
I always see ladies rocking the casual dress and sneakers combo on Instagram and love it… but do I look like an 80’s secretary who put on her sneakers to commute home from the office? Is it better or worse with the jean jacket? Very undecided on this look… maybe I just need to get used to it? Would love your thoughts!
The verdict:
While I’m not totally sold on the sneakers with my dress outfit, I am digging them with my shorts and my jeans. I typically stay in sandals until September anyways, but these lace ups will be perfect to throw on with pretty much anything in my closet. I’m already imagining them with a slouchy oversized sweater and skinny jeans. These are keepers for me.
P.S. If you are interested in checking out how I style my Rothy’s, you can find me on Instagram here: PocketfulofJoules on Instagram!
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I was a commuter lady with sneakers on, and they were a heck of a lot chunkier. These look fine. I’m a navy girl though, instead of the violet. But they look cute on you, and I am sure they look different in person. Have fun with your new sneaks.
Thanks Nancy! They do have these in Navy too… but I thought the lilac would be a little different to add to my closet. =)
It’s good to try new things!
What did you think of the arch support and the overall weight of the shoe? One review said they were heavier than she thought it would be and clunky.
I don’t think they are heavy or clunky to wear. As for arch support, they have more support than the other Rothy’s styles, but not as much as my Nike running shoes. I don’t need much arch support though, so it doesn’t bother me.