J.Crew knit blazer (old; similar), Gap tie neck blouse (old; similar)
Hello hello – just a quick post today of this outfit I wore back in Boston. I love a stretchy knit blazer as an alternative for suiting, for when you want to look put-together without being too formal. Mine’s several years old, but I’ve listed out other knit blazer options towards the end of this post!
BR sloan fit pants are undoubtedly some of my favorite bottoms for both work and casual wear (see on me in numerous outfits). They’re dressy enough for client meetings, yet comfortable enough to lounge around or travel in – I’ve spent many a plane rides in these, as they’re stretchier than jeans! A while back I saw an updated “new sloan fit” style available, and finally got a pair to compare.
I’m happy to report this updated fit addresses some of the small issues I had with the old pair. The most noticeable difference to me is a narrower lower leg and more tapered fit by the ankle opening, with no more unnecessary bottom slit. You’ll notice several of the unhappy reviews relate to them feeling smaller than the former version, so please size accordingly. My usual size 00p is still a tad loose on me at the waist like with the previous sloan-fit, but nothing that can’t be fixed with a belt. These are listed as dry clean only just like the previous sloan pants (which I ended up shrinking in the machine washer & dryer), so please let me know if you’ve tried washing & drying the new ones at home and how it worked out!
Material composition is still the same as the former sloan pants, but another difference is there are two real front pockets on the updated version instead of one small coin pocket on the previous one. I dug up measurements from years ago (pre-shrinking) in order to compare to the new fit, which looks very similar except for at the ankle:
New sloan fit 00p: 13.5″ across waist, 17″ across hips, 7″ rise, 26″ inseam, 5″ across ankle.
Old sloan fit 00p: 13.5″ across waist, 17″ across hips, 7″ rise, 26″ inseam, 5.5″ across ankle.
And here’s a few other knit blazer alternatives I’ve found, each for under $100:
– Under $30: Merona ponte blazer in gray, black, and white. In regular XS – XXL (Target women’s sizing may run a little big)
– Under $60: Olivia Moon knit blazer in gray, black, or navy. Comes in both regular and extended petite sizing with good reviews.
– Under $100: Ava knit blazer with navy stripes in regular XS – XL, or Express textured knit blazer in ivory or black, available in regular XXS – XL.
Hi i'm from Indonesia. Look. I have a pair of peach(nearly beige) colored boots. But will it match with my navy colored blouse and black jeans? Thanks. ( And sorry for my bad grammar :') )
Hi Jean, Do you find that the Sloan pants wear in nicely? By the end of the day, do they still keep their shape? I'm looking to replace a pair of J.Crew Dannie pants (similar stretchy skinny ankle pants) that look so great when I first put them on, but by the end of the day they've stretched out so much that I'm constantly pulling them up. I've been searching for a pant with comparable fit but that holds its shape!
I bought a pair of the BR Sloans in a regular size 4 and I love them! The fit is great other than the length. They are probably about 1/2" too long, but I can live with that. I am 62 yrs old, 5' tall, 115 lbs. I have been looking for a good pair of black pants for work for years! Finally found them. Thank you very much.
Hi Lynn, I don't think they stretched out too much, but maybe they did. Any stretching out should be fixed with a few minutes in the dryer though after washing. I have heard though that the new sloan fit may vary in fit from color to color and amongst the different materials.
Aw thank you! Yes I agree with you on the newer cut. I thought I would be rotating my old and new pairs, but after wearing the new, it was hard to go back to the shorter length and odd ankle slits!
Good to know! So those who worry about shrinkage can just keep them out of the dryer completely.
Good to know, thanks! I do the short tumble then hang dry with most of my jeans now…always works nicely to combat any stretching out without over-shrinking.
Hi Katie –
We got lucky this visit as it was in the 70's. I remember visiting Hong Kong in the summer years ago and it was brutally hot and humid, so my attire would be different in that case. In hot weather I actually like some polyester materials that are loose fit and flowy, in dark colors or patterns that won't show perspiration. As for sunscreen, I prefer the spray-on kind and I always look for high SPF. I like to wear less in hot weather instead of long sleeved shirts, etc, so make sure I have sufficient sun protection and re-apply my spray every few hours. In my latter post about Hong Kong I linked to a makeup setting spray I use with SPF 50, which kills two birds with one stone.
Hi! I just tested it and it should work, but might take a long time. You could also search the sidebar on the right for sloan pants!
Hi – no I didn't shorten them. I have heard however that sloan fit pants might vary in size even with different materials or colors! They definitely shouldn't be boot cut though, so I would make sure the tag says "sloan fit ankle" pants.
Hi Jean,
Did your pants stretch out after wear? I bought a pair of Sloan pants the other day in size 00p and found that mine measure a full inch smaller across the hips and 1/2 inch smaller across the waist and leg opening than the measurements you posted here.
Thanks!
I just tried washing my sloan pants – Used that wool shampoo you had mentioned previously on cold/delicate cycle. Line dried. Perfect!
I actually found my sloans to look faded/cheaper after machine wash, even if I air dry. And after machine dry they definitely shrunk and I could never get the crispness or sheen back to the material.
Hi Jean!
Long time reader of your blog, first time commenter. Love your posts and snapchats! The BR Sloan pants are a favourite of mine for work. I have both the old and new Sloan pairs and have always washed them in a cold cycle in the washing machine with no problems.
I really like the new cut. It feels higher wasted and more tapered from top to bottom which provides a better fit.
I love BR Sloans as well. They are my go to uniform. I wash them in cold water on the hand wash cycle on my washer & hang to dry. No shrinkage at all. Hope that helps.
I've got a couple pairs of Sloan pants for work as well, and they're very comfortable. I've washed them multiple times in a cold wash, and a short tumble dry before hanging it out to dry completely. They shrink just a little bit on the length, but other than that they're good for washing!
Great weather! Looks like you caught some good weather in Boston with the blooming trees.
Alicja | http://www.lifeofaluxaholic.com
My absolute favorite blazers are my white Merona ponte blazer, and some H&M; kids' ponte blazers in black and grey. I do have more expensive proper blazers but they don't look as good on a petite frame, nor are they as versatile. I've been on the lookout for a striped one!
The Target ponte blazers are surprisingly good quality, though they do run big as you mentioned.
I recently got the Merona blazer recommended in this post. It's an XS and it fits me perfectly, but I'm not as small as Jean. If you're her size you might be out of luck with Target, unless you're ok with wearing it looser. The nice thing about ponte is that it's easy to roll or scrunch up the sleeves.
Hi, Jean! I loved your striped blazer but definitely can't afford the Anthropologie option, so I looked and found a striped ponte blazer at Target! I ordered online, hoping the sizing won't be unwearably large.
Very nice ensemble!
http://www.ofsilkandsatin.com
Love your blog!
Love it! I just bought the bow heels! Last one in size 5 1/2 from Boston MA!
If you're looking for a good sunscreen that doesn't leave a tint and stays pretty matte throughout the day, I'm a die hard Biore Sarasara Uv Aqua Rich Waterly Essence Sunscreen fan. You can get it on Amazon 🙂
Your hair is looking great, Jean!
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Hi Jean! Great look. Am hoping you might have time to share advice re: dressing in HK. In all your HK instagram photos & here, you looked so flawless and polished! Complete opposite of me when I was in HK because of humidity, my concerns for sun damaged skin and smog, I felt terrible.
Can you advise:
1. Do you (or did you) wear sunscreen? If yes, any tips for using it and not becoming oily or unattractively white (since some sunscreens leave a white tinge)?
2. Staying dry in humidity – I'm so impressed: you wore jeans and cotton t-shirt which are fairly moisture absorbing if one sweats a lot! I had to wear moisture wicking/quick dry clothing to avoid the icky feeling of humidity; hence, wore mostly athletic wear. 🙁 Any tips on staying dry clothing wise?
3. Sun protection clothing (e.g. hat, gloves, long sleeved shirts, sun umbrellas) – are these things you wear when you're in places in HK to protect skin from sun damage? If yes, curious if you have recommendations for clothes that would serve this purpose but look cute and not ugly…as I think I appear when I wear these.
Thanks in advance! I understand if you are busy and may not have to answer, but thought I'd try asking as you looked great in hot weather climate and I hope to learn from you if I can.
Sloan is my favorite. Gyahh~ we are the same size *—-*
So chic, so gorgeous!
Jill
Jill D Blog
I adore the mix of nudes and stripes…very classic, very apt for spring!
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Hi Jean. Can you check your "see on me" link for the pants as its not working. Not sure if it's just my computer. Thanks!
I love the color combination! Dusty pink and navy blue work so well together!
xx, Diane || http://www.dizined.com
Hi! By any chance did you shorten the pants and take in material at the bottom? The pants I tried on today at BR were long and loose (more boot cut than slim). Just wondering. Thanks!
Hi Jean! Thanks for the review – I have the old Sloan pants and love them and have been wondering about the new. I also wash my old ones on delicate, but I hang dry them. And one trick I use is when I pull them out of the washer while still wet, I tug down on the legs vertically to ensure they don't shrink in length. I'm only 5'2" but I prefer the pants to fit at my ankle, not a crop. That has worked for me so far!
I love your outfit posts about work attire! I work for a company that is fairly conservative and mostly requires blazers to be worn all the time. I struggle finding interesting blazers and how to style them. I would love it if you could do a post on blazer options and styling ideas. This post would be perfect for my work! How can someone make a traditional piece of clothing like a blazer look fun and modern and stylish!
Love that outfit! So cute! You look gorgeous.
Xoxo
Serein
https://sereinwu.com/
The wrinkles in the photos are from my legs bending and moving. What I love about this material is it doesn't hold any wrinkles – even if I sit in them all day, once you stand up the wrinkles fall out. I also don't notice a lot of stretching out but if they do, I'll just pop them in the dryer for about 15 minutes after washing based on what the above ladies said.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Good to know, thank you! I'll just dry it for a little bit and check on it.
The pant looks loose and has a lot of extra "wrinkles" on the knees as well. Do you think that it became more stretchy during the day? Just wondering if it will get looser and looser every time you wear. I wonder if it's just the material?
Love love love this outfit on you! Striped blazers are a must♥
http://www.pamelayaquelin.blogspot.com
Love the combination of pink and navy. So chic!
Avanti
xxx
avantigarde.wordpress.com
I have the new Sloan pants, and I didn't even realize that the label said dry clean only until reading this post just now. I've washed them in the washing machine and put them in the dryer several times, and it's been fine! They might have shrunk a tiny bit but not enough to really notice.
Love your mix of navy and pink with a pop of stripes. Always looking for skinny fit ankle pants for work so I'll definitely have to look into these 🙂
Amanda
http://www.thesimplepetite.com/
Love this look you put together!
xx Genevive
http://www.genevivelaurenn.wordpress.com
I have two pairs of the "new" black Sloan pants that I wore all winter. I washed quickly on cold and air dried one pair and dry cleaned one pair. The washed pair shrunk, most noticeably in length. I'm a tall petite at 5'3" and that pair is now more of an ankle crop. Still cute, just not when it's 20 degrees out! Otherwise they wear well, attract little lint, and I've loved the dress up/down ability.
Such a great look dear! I love this striped blazer:)
xx, Carmen – http://www.carmitive.com
Love the combo of colors and the shoes are stunning!
xx