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This New Penny Loafer From Rothy’s Is a Comfy Solution to Wearing Summer’s Top Shoe Trend

The latest drop from the Meghan Markle–loved brand delivers breathability, support, and blister-free wear.

By Stacia Datskovska Plus Icon

Stacia Datskovska

Senior Commerce Writer for WWD

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June 25, 2025, 10:47am

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arrangement of shoes on a sidewalk under direct sunlight; two people sitting on a windowsill while wearing loafers

Courtesy Rothy's

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Rothy’s, the sustainability-minded shoe brand that makes bestselling designs from recycled water bottles, recently launched its first-ever penny loafer.

The release is so new that it’s yet to be spotted on A-listers and the fashion set (consider yourself lucky to have heard it here first), but the shoe is sure to take over faster than you can say “top summer footwear trend.” Why? Well, for starters, everyone from Paris Hilton to Princess Beatrice to Meghan Markle can’t get enough of Rothy’s, which masters the balance between the chic and the comfortable. More importantly, penny loafers are reigning as one of the season’s buzziest shoe trends, with city streets and runways serving up emulation-worthy spins on the preppy style (not to mention top sneaker brands rolling out their controversial “snoafers”). The new Rothy’s penny loafer stands out from the pack in one key aspect: It’s not crafted out of leather, offering a highly wearable alternative to the stiffness and stuffiness that sometimes accompanies traditional loafers.

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With each pair made using about 16 recycled plastic water bottles, The Penny Loafer‘s soft knit material is designed to move with your foot instead of locking it in a straightjacket of sorts — granting more comfort and breathability (which is especially appreciated during a hot summer). The plush, contoured insole brings support on days when you want to stay active but don’t necessarily want to wear a pair of sneakers. And, furthering the loafer’s walkability, the outsole features stabilizing, non-slip traction.

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Even the most dedicated of loafer aficionados know how challenging it can be to find a comfortable pair that doesn’t cause blisters. Many penny loafers, including those offered by high-end designer labels, have a break-in period most commonly associated with chunkier styles like Dr. Martens boots. But Rothy’s new version of the classic shoe avoids this, promising “step-in comfort right out of the box.” What’s more, The Penny Loafer is entirely machine washable (the brand recommends doing so on a cold setting and then air-drying), which means two things: It gets softer with every wash, and you can finally wave goodbye to spot cleaning forever.

woman standing on a red chair while wearing black penny loafers and white socks

Meet Rothy’s The Penny Loafer, which won’t force you to make a trade-off between trendy summer looks and step-in comfort. Courtesy Rothy’s

As far as aesthetics go, The Penny Loafer knows how to say a lot with a little. Available in three hues — all-black, the camel-and-ivory Cortado, and the cool, earthy brown that is Portobello — it will become a go-to finishing touch to your belted midi skirts, fabric-blocked linen dresses, cutoff denim shorts with crew socks, and beyond. On TikTok, the #pennyloafer hashtag delivers hundreds of popular styling inspiration videos, in which users don the shoe with everything from baggy jeans and oversized leather jackets to prim-and-proper cardigans. On spring 2025 runways, the quintessential loafer was shown by Bottega Veneta, Prada, Miu Miu, and more: matched with color-happy tights, intentionally wrinkled shirtdresses, and other inventive sartorial touches. Most of these runway moments spotlighted penny loafers of the glossy, dark-leather variety, with lug soles and a visible rigidity. Offering a lightweight, streamlined solution, The Penny Loafer from Rothy’s also has lighter colorway options that are better suited to warm-weather escapades (save those jewel tones and blacks for fall!).

zoomed-in shot of rothy's penny loafers in a beige color

The shoe’s soft, premium upper looks like a million bucks, exuding instant elegance. Could you guess it’s made from recycled water bottles? Courtesy Rothy’s

Founded in 2012, with an online storefront launching four years later, Rothy’s made waves with its first product: the ballet flat, which captured people’s attention thanks to a mid-range price point and recycled-plastic makeup. Soon, the brand leveraged this booming popularity to roll out more styles, including Mary Janes, clogs, flip-flops, and sneakers. In 2020, it began making handbags — also manufactured with the by-now-signature soft knit fabric that puts ocean-bound marine plastic to good use. And while Rothy’s did offer loafers before the much-anticipated release in question, like its driving loafers in both the men’s and women’s categories, this particular iteration of the low-heeled silhouette is a fresh introduction.

As for the celebrities presently obsessed with the brand? Meghan Markle favors The Point II pointed-toe flat; Emily Ratajkowski wears The Lace-Up Sneaker; Jennifer Lawrence (the people’s princess when it comes to casual-cool footwear choices) once stepped out in The Casual Clog to make her red socks pop; and it’s only a matter of time before these tastemakers similarly embrace The Penny Loafer.

Ready to cosign the loafer trend yourself? Step into it with ease, courtesy of this new, softer-than-soft knit take by Rothy’s — no blister-filled break-in period required.

Sign up for WWD Shop’s newsletter to get the scoop on the best in beauty and style with in-depth reviews of exciting new releases and buyer’s guides to find the products you need to try ASAP.

Celeb-Worn Brand Rothy's Released a Loafer That's Actually Comfortable

Rothy’s The Penny Loafer in Black

$189

Buy Now at rothy’s

Celeb-Worn Brand Rothy's Released a Loafer That's Actually Comfortable

Rothy’s The Penny Loafer in Cortado

$189

Buy Now at rothy’s

Celeb-Worn Brand Rothy's Released a Loafer That's Actually Comfortable

Rothy’s The Penny Loafer in Portobello

$189

Buy Now at rothy’s

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Meet the Author

Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD and FN. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska frequently covers new footwear releases from celebrity-adored brands.

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