Pix-Elated

53 Comments

• catgirl replied 8 years ago

  Yes! This is how my now defunct Gap skinnies were (remember when they were a lemming item) and are what I meant when I responded on your EF post. faux structure!

• kerry replied 8 years ago

  This outfit/silhouette looks like the perfect "Suz" rendition to combat our long fall/winter season. Love!

• jackiec replied 8 years ago

  Sitting in my car waiting for ds but had to log in! LOVE!! I wore my Gap pants like this too. Do the sloanes come in charcoal or navy! Well done. Totally you. And the vest is awesome.

• abc replied 8 years ago

  WOW! Love both pieces.  Especially that vest.  So glad you solved your pant puzzle :)

• unfrumped replied 8 years ago

  That really looks good! I think it's that the vest is architectural but still restrained--so it doesn't overwhelm you. Just the right size and shape.
  I really like the pointy lapels as a different look from straight-cut tunic sweaters over leggings, don't you?

• Lyn D. replied 8 years ago

  I love the vest too Suz!
  So nice to see cooler-weather outfits whilst it is still cold here and I am running out of inspiration :)

• Firecracker (Sharan) replied 8 years ago

  Bingo! Yes, these are the kind of pant that can be your leggings. I was thinking something like this could work. And the vest is fantastic. Just right. It looks great on you, and you look at ease in it.
  Now, is this architectural or soft drape? Just so I understand, because I don't think I get the distinction. . ..

• deb replied 8 years ago

  Yes, they qualify as leggings. I like both pieces.

• Joy replied 8 years ago

  I love both pieces on you. Smart yet casual. They will be workhorses. I love woven leggings and would love to find a pair in grey.

• replied 8 years ago

  I cannot wear those pants to save my life. They aren't high enough in the rise on me for some reason, and just fit me horribly. Like, comically horribly. They look excellent on you .  Cute vest score too!

• shedev replied 8 years ago

  Cute, like both.

• Suz replied 8 years ago

  Lisa, I well believe it re the rise -- they barely fit mine (which is on the long side) and I'm convinced if I had not sized up, they wouldn't fit at all. 

  Sharan, I guess this is probably soft drape, too, LOL -- but I get some structure from the pants, and the sweater vest is itself more structured than many knits. It falls relatively "crisply" or in clean lines, for want of a better phrase, and the angles of the collar are what you notice -- it's not all rounded or ruched. Oversize drape is awful on me -- but this vest is actually cut in at the shoulder, has a high neckline (which provides structure on my long neck) and is relatively fitted through the body. 

  I hope that makes sense and would love it if Angie could correct me or elaborate! 

  Jackie, these side zip pants only seem to come in black. BOO. But i got them anyway. The front zip Sloans seem to be made of a stretchier fabric (go figure). I got a pair of those, too -- but they won't serve the "legging" function for me because of the fly front, which is quite bulky. Alas. I'd love some pants like this in navy and charcoal!! 

  I used to have those Gap pants, too, Una, but mine were front zip. And a bit stretchier than these side zip Sloans. Still, I loved them. 

  Thanks, all for the compliments, and thanks to Gaylene, again! 

• carter replied 8 years ago

  Good for you! I have tried the regular fly-front Sloans several times, and they just don't even come close to fitting my shape. I ordered these side-zip pants when I saw Gaylene post them in your other thread, on the chance that they may fit differently than the regular ones. My hope was to add a woven pair of slim PANTS. Now I'm wondering if I'll even be able to wiggle into them since they're running small for you. Yikes! We'll have to compare notes when mine get here.

• Beth replied 8 years ago

  Gorgeous. 

• Caro in Oz replied 8 years ago

  Excellent Suz - yay Gaylene :)

• Gaylene replied 8 years ago

  Glad the side-zipped Sloans worked for you. Just checked mine--and, yup, I had sized up in these as well. The calf is tight on me as well, but it does stretch out after a few hours so it feels snug instead of calf-sucking. I think the firmer fabric seems to mitigate the cross-pulling on the calf as well.

  And you do Deb proud with your rendition. That CR vest is gorgeous on you.

• replied 8 years ago

  I'm surprised that oversized drape doesn't look good on you. Maybe you haven't go hold of the right thing?
  I love this outfit and those pants are a really polished alternative to leggings.
  I like the column of black that's slightly form-fitting. So chic.

  I think I might've been the lone "yay" vote on the grey pants, but these are quite a bit better.

• Sal replied 8 years ago

  I love this look on you.  Whilst I can see your inspiration there from Deborah, I can also see you in it.  And it looks cosy and comfortable which I know working from home is a priority.

  Well done, you got there in the end :)

• Deborah replied 8 years ago

  Suz, the pants look amazing and I think they look and sound like they are a perfect fit for your criteria. And I love your vest!! You have combined structure/soft/architectural to perfection and kept it very true to you x

• Word Lily replied 8 years ago

  I'm so glad you found the pants that work for you! (I was following closely because, though I had nothing to add to help you, I also need some structure and have not found any such thing that suits me, at least not yet.) They look great, and I love the vest, too!

• Angie replied 8 years ago

  Your leggings = Cigarette Pants. Makes perfect sense. 

  Love this look on you, Suz. Great for working at home. Perhaps try a chunkier necklace? 

• Suz replied 8 years ago

  Word Lily -- try them, do -- if you want a sleek fit but more structure--- but warning, SIZE UP!! 

  I think Gaylene is an IT. I'm a sort-of-rectangle/ sort-of-slim hourglass with a long rise. 

  If I had not sized up there is no way these would have gone on me. To Lisa's point. 

  I also got a sized up front zip version in navy. It's still snug but not as snug as these. 

  Debs, I am so glad you are not insulted by my small imitation. You know what they say about the sincerest form of flattery! :)

  Kiwigal, what a sweet thing to say -- thank you. It does feel like a "me" outfit. 

  Smittie, it's all in the cut. Oversized can work really well on me as long as there is enough structure or as long as the lines are quite straight. I experimented with some drapey pieces a few years ago that were disastrous. I am happy to surrender my waist and it does work well. But if something lacks structure around the neck or shoulder area, or if it is too "round" in its drapery, it easily overwhelms me. I have a small bust so some pieces just "collapse" on me and I look like I am wearing my big sister's clothes -- and I think perhaps my low contrast colouring also plays a role here. I need a bit of definition. 

  Gaylene, glad I was not alone in the need to size up here. I was worried I might have gained weight without knowing it. 

  Carter, our shapes might differ enough that these work for you in your regular size. But how don't the regular Sloans work for you? That is, if there is such a thing as the "regular" Sloans -- as Gaylene mentioned in my other thread, they seem to change cut and fabrication at will in these and still call them "Sloans." 

• Suz replied 8 years ago

  Chunkier. Okay. Will have to find one. This one counted as pretty "chunky" for me, but I see your point! Thanks, Angie. 

  You know -- these are not real cigarettes on me as I understand that -- they have no real looseness -- are as tight as I would wear leggings. 

  Or is it only a side-zip that defines a cigarette pant? I thought it was the shape. Slim but not skin tight, with a slight taper to the ankle, and usually ankle length (with side zip). 

• Word Lily replied 8 years ago

  Suz, I would, except it looks like I need to lose another size or two before they'll fit me. But thanks for the encouragement! :)

• carter replied 8 years ago

  Cigarette pant is exactly what I'm hoping for. Fingers crossed.

  It's my rear/lower hip circumference and the back rise that generally mess up the fit of these pants on me. If I size up more than a size the waist is huge and the legs get looser than I'd like. I can't stand to have the waist taken in on pants, because all that does is make my hips explode in the silhouette.

  I loved the Hampton fit at BR, but they've discontinued it. It's been awhile since I've tried a Sloan, so maybe they do indeed have different cuts from time to time. Hoping!

• Suz replied 8 years ago

  Ah, I get it, Carter. I used to have the waist issue, too, but am rectangular enough now that it is less of a problem for me. During my 20s I just assumed that all trousers stuck out about 3 inches from your waist if they would go on your hips...

• carter replied 8 years ago

  Ha! You DO get it!

• replied 8 years ago

  And this is precisely my issue with them. Carter, you hit the nail on the head. It wasn't even one size up that would possibly solve it, it was like 2 or 3 and then they were so off that it wasn't worth it. Stupid pants :(  

  Suz - that's how half of my jeans  and pants are on me :  sticking out 3 inches at the waist . Super attractive, I know :)

• Jaime replied 8 years ago

  Love the new vest! Pants look like the perfect essential. Excellent outfit!

• Angie replied 8 years ago

  Cigarette pants can be very tight, Suz. 

• Suz replied 8 years ago

  Ah! Okay, thanks, Angie. I think my mind went straight to Audrey Hepburn and Laura Petrie with the term "cigarette" pants. A sort of very slim tapered look. (Which I adore, by the way). But which these pants don't really replicate. However, if a cigarette can be tight, these are a cigarette! 

  And Lisa, the cure for your problem (and Carter's) is to grow a semi-apple belly. Ha! I never thought I would be happy to become more rectangular than I used to be, but it has made fitting clothes remarkably easier. 

  And now to search for the right chunky necklace.  ;) 

• replied 8 years ago

  Um, no thanks . I already have some kind of horrible menopause lower belly thing going on that I can't control.

• Sveta replied 8 years ago

  They both look great Suz. The vest was definitely a happy find at Winners and should be very useful in your work-from-home capsule.
  Darn it, I ordered these pants in MY size so most likely they are going back. Oh well, maybe it is for the better as I already have black straight pants and black ponte leggings....but I wish I thought about sizing up before :-(

• Dee replied 8 years ago

  I've always been Team Leggings, so I'm so happy you finally found your pair. They look great! And the vest is a great combination of oversized but structured, and I can see it working well with your other pants as well.

• Style Fan replied 8 years ago

  Great look Suz.  Very cozy vest.  I also have just accepted that pants fit in the hips and are 2 to 3 inches too big in the waist.  Belts are my friend. 

• Brooklyn replied 8 years ago

  Lookin good! I like angies idea about a chunkier necklace - maybe a long pendant? I like long pendants with everything. :)

• Karie replied 8 years ago

  Looks great! I LOVE side zip pants. I might have to give these a try. The top looks great too.

• Maneera replied 8 years ago

  I adore these leggings on you, Suz. They fit so well! You're right...the fit is almost like pants...so it looks really really good.

  Your 'Deborah' look is wonderful! You're rocking the vest+leggings+boots formula!

• Deborah replied 8 years ago

  Suz, you could never insult me ;). So flattered you would be even a tiny bit inspired by me xx

• lyn67 replied 8 years ago

  I want that vest!:-)

• cheryle (Dianthus) replied 8 years ago

  Total win for you Suz.  The pants are great and that vest should be a versatile piece for you.  Grey is a great neutral on you.  

  I have the same fit issues with BR pants.  I can size up and they still don't seem to fit me.  I gave up a few years ago even though I know others who are hourglass shaped who made them work.  It might be a combination of hourglass and wider but flat bum that does me in.  

• viva replied 8 years ago

  I really like this look on you, Suz.

  I shudder at side-zip pants, though. I tried on JCrew's Minnie pants, once, and I almost ran screaming from the store. They transformed my body into something very odd looking and were a terrible fit. Now I am wondering if it was the rise? Maybe the rise is even more important in a side-zip pant? So this makes me think (1) i need to understand rise, and (2) I need to, perhaps, try on another pair of side-zip pants, one day.

• replied 8 years ago

  Hi Suz. I really like the look of these and they will work great for your style. Do you have any concerns about having to dry clean a garment meant to be worn more casually? The reason I ask is because I tend to wear my casual clothes "harder." As a consequence, I wash them far more often. Sometimes I clean them after a single wearing. I would be going to and from the dry cleaner constantly.

• Elizabeth P replied 8 years ago

  Score!
  Love the pants and the vest, and love love love them together. 

  I am a huge Sloan fan, and tried these on a year or two ago, and couldn't get into them either.  They felt so small I couldn't bring myself to size up - I felt like I'd need to go up two sizes.  I made a comment to them about it when I returned them, and they said Sloan was a fabric, not a fit, which makes no sense at all considering they call it "sloan fit".  Sigh.

  Oh, and I also used to have the 2-3" gap at my waist.  I surrendered it. :)

• Suz replied 8 years ago

  Sterling, my solution to the dry cleaning instructions is simply to ignore them. Truly. The ONLY items I dry clean or have professionally cleaned are: 

  Leather jackets or items with real leather trim. 
  Wool coats.
  Woven wool blazers. 

  EVERYTHING else in my closet, whatever the tag says, I either wash in the machine or wash by hand. These trousers won't be any exception. I will wash in cold, hang to dry, and iron them. And I'll bet they come out just fine. 

  Hahaha, on the gap -- Elizabeth -- me, too! Well, truth is, if I wanted to wear these as PANTS vs. LEGGINGS, I could probably have stood to go up another size in these Sloans as well, in which case I would have had "gappage" again. 

• Elizabeth P replied 8 years ago

  Suz, if you can remember, can you report back on washing these, when you do? There was a long thread about htis some time ago, and those that washed Sloans seemed to have to go through major contortions with the drying of them.  I have several pairs, and if I could not dry clean them, I'd love that.  I probably should try with a pair that are "replaceable" but I'm too nervous to risk it. 

• Suz replied 8 years ago

  Okay, Elizabeth -- I'll report back. I won't be wearing them now for a while because it's still too warm here, but once I start, I'll let you know. 

  I know I've washed my (similar) Theory pants and I used to wash the Gap pants. My experience with both of those was minor apparent shrinkage when first putting them on, but instant easing out to former proportions. I did press them -- I think the steam iron helps ease the fibres a bit, maybe. 

• Ankita replied 8 years ago

  You look FAB!

• celia replied 8 years ago

  I saw that vest at winners too :0)
  I think you look smashing in your cigarette pants and vest.

• Sara L. replied 8 years ago

  I love the new vest!  I'm not a big fan of vests (on me, they look great on others) but yours looks so cozy yet architectural, that even I would be tempted by it.

• Ariadne replied 8 years ago

  Oh wow, I love this whole look on you!  And I want to fly to Ontario and steal those booties right off your feet.  :D

• rachylou replied 8 years ago

  Absolutely, to the answer the question. Good show, I say!

• milehighstyle (Linda) replied 8 years ago

  Great look, Suz.  I have to make a return to BR on Friday, so maybe I'll try those pants.  Leggings are not pants but sometimes pants can be leggings!