The Best Women's Flats: What to Look for in Flats for Women

Flats can be the perfect solution if you’re looking to replace your high heels with something more comfortable or need versatile footwear for busy mornings. But with so many styles available, how do you choose the best women’s flats for you? 

No pair of flats are created equal, making it difficult to pinpoint the most suitable footwear. Fortunately, there are several elements you can consider as you look for a new pair of flats. Read on to get started. 

What are women’s flats?

Women's flats are a style of shoe characterized by a flat contour from heel to toe. This type of shoe comes in different colors and designs, such as: 

• Rounded 
• Pointed
• Square
• Loafers
• Mary Janes
• Driver

With so many options, you can easily fill your closet with elegant, casual, and sporty footwear that's also comfortable. 

Reasons to wear flats

Women's flats are a wear-everywhere, wear-anytime, go-to shoe style. Let's take a look at the top benefits of wearing flats. 

• Easy to slip on. If you've ever struggled with lacing up boots or high-top sneakers, you'll appreciate how easy it is to step into women's flats, whether first thing in the morning, at the beach, or you're running errands. They're also easy to slip off.
• Versatile. Flats will take you from the 9-to-5 life to happy hour dates and even late-night dinners. And if dancing is involved, they'll help you kick up your heels and go with the rhythm.
• Comfortable. Women's flat shoes distribute your weight over the flatbed, ensuring there's no added pressure on your toes. Plus, they allow you to maintain a naturally aligned posture rather than pitching you forward as you walk. The best flats for women offer comfortable features like a cushioned footbed, padded heel, and roomy toe box.
• Stylish. There's a stylish flat to fit every day and every occasion. Ballerina flats and Mary Janes are great for work and social events, and if you're on your way to running errands, try in-style loafers that will complement whatever you choose to wear.

What to look for in flats

Now that you've decided women's flats are for you, not just any pair of flats will do. Good women's flats will have most of the following attributes, while the best women's flats will have all of them.

Quality materials

If shoes aren't made of high-quality, made-to-last materials, they may not last long since cheap fabrics can impact their durability. 

Low-quality materials can also make shoes stiff, uncomfortable, or so flimsy that they fail to provide support. As a result, your feet may hurt after wearing them. 

What you should look for are first-rate materials that provide flexibility and support. A flexible flat is unlikely to constrict your foot, and the ideal shoe will initially stretch slightly as it molds to your foot shape. 

Comfort 

Comfort is a matter of having the right balance. The flats that are most comfortable feel snug but never too tight. And even if they're worn consistently, they never stretch out. Although many flats require a day or two to stretch in order to achieve comfort, Rothy's flats require no break-in period. They feel just right from the first day to the present and beyond.

Versatility 

The great thing about women's flats is they're perfect for any season and occasion. 

While high heels may be suitable for the office, they may make you feel out of place later if you're meeting your friends for a casual night out. On the other hand, flats can easily help your outfit go from day to night. 

The best flats for working professionals will seamlessly blend into your entire day and wardrobe. Sure, you could bring along a change of footwear, but why do so when you can choose to wear flats instead?

Maintenance 

While you want shoes to last long, you don't want to spend hours cleaning them to keep them in good shape. Flats with rubber soles are suitable for the long haul since the material is durable and can be washed. 

At Rothy's, we make it easy for you to maintain your flats, regardless of where life takes you. Simply remove the insoles and place them in the washing machine along with your flats. Then, use cold water, mild detergent, and a delicate cycle. When the cycle is over, let the shoes air dry.

Sustainability

Although it's not one of the first things that come to mind when searching for the best flats for women, knowing that you’re helping the planet can make you feel better about your choice. 

Over 146 million single-use plastic bottles have been recycled and made into Rothy's signature thread, which is used to construct our shoes, including flats. Imagine how wonderful you'll feel knowing that your shoes have helped clean up the world since they're made from recycled materials.

Style

Flats are available in multiple styles. At Rothy's, you'll find everything from timeless loafers to chic square-toe and pointed-toe flats.

Of course, what would a women's flat shoe collection be without graceful ballet flats and the two icons of femininity: the Mary Jane with its slim strap and the flattering square flat with its detachable ankle strap?

Plus, all of our styles are designed in multiple colors, making it easy to find a pair that fits your personality and aesthetic. 

Breathability

Wearing shoes that make your feet feel hot and sweaty can be uncomfortable and lead to foot odor and other unpleasant health conditions. 

On the other hand, shoes that provide ventilation, like those with air-cooled memory foam, knit uppers, or porous recycled materials, let your feet breathe and stay dry throughout the day.

Weight

The less heavy a shoe is, the more comfortable it is. Plus, lightweight flats can help you fight foot fatigue and remain active throughout the day. 

Lightweight shoes made of flexible or collapsible materials are also invaluable for packing in a suitcase or even tucking into a purse–so, you can ditch those uncomfortable high-heeled pumps the minute the workday is over.

Women’s flats: Frequently Asked Questions

Will my feet sweat when wearing flats?

Not necessarily. Whether your foot sweats while wearing flats depends on the shoe design and the individual wearing the shoes. 

Some people have feet that tend to sweat. However, lightweight flats for women that are made from breathable materials can lessen this tendency. If a shoe is flexible enough to accommodate the natural flex and bend of the foot, it'll hug it in all the right places without creating hot spots that lead to sweaty feet.

What types of flats are currently in style?

Basic flats in simple, versatile colors are always in style, no matter the type. However, as more and more people understand the importance of preserving our earth, shoes made of recycled materials are becoming the focal point of sustainable fashion. 

Should I size up when purchasing flats?

There's no denying that Rothy's shoes are comfortable. However, buying the wrong shoe size can impact your comfort and experience, so we recommend measuring your feet before finalizing your purchase. Additionally, Rothy's shoes don't stretch over time. 

Please refer to our guide if you need help finding the perfect fit. While all of our shoes adhere to industry sizing standards, there may be variances due to the unique construction of each style.

Wrapping up: Choosing the best flats for you

The best flats for you are the ones that fit your lifestyle and provide lightweight, flexible comfort, optimum fit, and the stability necessary to go from one place to the next.

These are qualities that Rothy's designers ensure each pair of women's flat shoes possesses-- even before they leave the drawing board. On top of this, Rothy's shoes are knit from yarn spun from recycled plastic bottles, ocean-bound marine plastic, and algae-based sea foam. With each purchase of a Rothy's shoe, you'll know you're doing something to support the future of the planet.

When it comes to deciding if a pair of women’s flats are right for you, it helps to ask yourself these questions.

The more times you can answer yes, the better. If all your answers are yes, you've found your match.