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Rothy’s, the sustainability-minded shoe brand that makes its best-selling 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 first), but it’s sure to take over faster than you can say “top summer shoe trend.” Why? Well, for starters, everyone from Paris Hilton to Princess Beatrice and Meghan Markle can’t get enough of Rothy’s footwear, which masters the balance between chic and comfortable. But, more importantly, penny loafers are reigning as one of the season’s buzziest shoe trends, with city streets and runways serving up emulation-worthy takes on the preppy shoe. (Not to mention, top sneaker brands rolling out their controversial “snoafers.”) But Rothy’s new penny loafers stand out from the pack in one key aspect: they’re not made of leather, offering a more comfortable alternative to the stiffness and stuffiness that sometimes comes with traditional loafers.

With each pair made using about 16 recycled plastic water bottles, the soft knit material of Rothy’s penny loafers 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 helps support the foot on days when you want to stay active but don’t necessarily want to wear a pair of sneakers. And furthering their walkability, the outsole features non-slip traction to offer additional support and stability.

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 take on the classic shoe avoids this, promising “step-in comfort right out of the box” with its soft, stretchy knit silhouette. What’s more, The Rothy’s Penny Loafer is entirely machine washable (the brand recommends doing so on a cold setting and then air-drying), which means it gets softer with every wash, so you can wave goodbye to spot cleaning forever.

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 featured penny loafers of the glossy, dark-leather variety, with lug soles and a visible rigidity. Offering a more lightweight, streamlined take, Rothy’s lighter colorway options are also better suited to warm-weather escapades (save those jewel tones and blacks for fall!).

Founded in 2012, with its 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 its booming popularity with more styles, expanding to Mary Janes, clogs, flip-flops, and sneakers. In 2020, it began making handbags — also manufactured with its signature soft knit fabric made from ocean-bound marine plastic. And while Rothy’s did offer loafers before the much-anticipated release of The Penny Loafer, like its driving loafers in both the men’s and women’s categories, this take on the low-heeled classic 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 in black to make her red socks pop. And it’s only a matter of time before an A-Lister embraces the new Penny Loafers.

Ready to embrace the loafer trend this season? Ease into the softer side with Rothy’s new knit take — no blister-filled break-in period required.

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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.