Aritzia Effortless Pant vs. Abercrombie: Which one should you buy?

Compare Aritzia's premium work-ready pants with Abercrombie's accessible, stylish options. Discover which tailored fit suits your budget and style best.
Spencer Lanoue
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Spencer Lanoue
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The Aritzia Effortless Pant offers a premium, work-ready tailored look with high-quality, drapey fabrics, while the popular pants from Abercrombie, like the Sloane Tailored Pant, provide a similar trending silhouette at a much more accessible price point with a focus on casual comfort and inclusive fits like their Curve Love line.

Here's everything you need to know to decide between the cult-favorite from Aritzia and its budget-friendly competitor.

Aritzia Effortless Pant

The Aritzia Effortless Pant is a coveted wardrobe piece known for its impeccable tailoring, luxurious drape, and incredible versatility. Designed as a high-waisted, wide-leg trouser, it’s earned its reputation as the perfect pant that can seamlessly transition from a professional office setting to a chic evening outfit.

  • What it is: A high-waisted, wide-leg tailored trouser made from premium Japanese crepe fabric, designed for a polished and versatile look.
  • Key features: High-quality fabric with an incredible drape, precision tailoring, front pleats, and a clean, minimalist design. It's available in several lengths to accommodate different heights.
  • Price: $148
  • Materials/Construction: Typically made from Crepe, a Japanese polyester that's known to be wrinkle-resistant and maintain its shape. The construction and stitching are top-notch, contributing to the higher price.
  • Sizing/Fit: Sizing runs from 00 to 16, with Short, Regular, and Tall inseam options. The fit is true to size for a flattering, tailored silhouette that hangs elegantly without being overly tight.
  • Pros: Excellent quality and durability. Highly versatile for work, events, or casual styling. Wrinkle-resistant fabric holds up well during travel and long days. Available in multiple lengths.
  • Cons: High price point can be a barrier for some. Often sells out quickly in popular sizes and colors. The feel is more professional and less casually "soft."

This pant is ideal for someone building a long-lasting capsule wardrobe who is willing to invest in a single, high-quality piece for professional and elevated casual wear.

Shop this product: aritzia.com/us/en/product/the-effortless-pant

Abercrombie Sloane Tailored Pant

Abercrombie's Sloane Tailored Pant has emerged as a viral, budget-friendly challenger to more expensive trousers. It captures the trendy high-waisted, relaxed-leg silhouette and prioritizes comfort and inclusive sizing, making it a go-to for shoppers seeking style and value.

  • What it is: An affordable, high-waisted tailored trouser with pleat details and a relaxed leg, designed for comfortable everyday fashion.
  • Key features: Curve Love fit option (designed with an extra 2 inches through the hip and thigh), pleat-front details, and a softer fabric feel. Available in multiple lengths and a wide size range.
  • Price: $90 (often available for less during frequent sales).
  • Materials/Construction: Typically made from a blend of polyester and elastane, giving it a softer, more comfort-focused feel. Quality is strong for the price point, but it lacks the premium heft of Aritzia's fabric.
  • Sizing/Fit: Abercrombie excels with sizing, offering XXS to XXL and the all-important Curve Love option tailored for curvier figures. It also comes in Extra Short, Short, Regular, and Long lengths.
  • Pros: Much more affordable, especially value with frequent sales. Sizing is more inclusive, with the Curve Love fit accommodating more body types. Softer, comfortable fabric for all-day wear.
  • Cons: Fabric can feel less luxurious and doesn't have the same elegant drape as Aritzia's. The overall look reads slightly more casual. Might not hold a crisp professional look as well.

Perfect for those who want the tailored trend for casual wear or who struggle to find trousers that fit a curvier waist-to-hip ratio, all without breaking the bank.

Shop this product: abercrombie.com/shop/us/p/a-and-f-sloane-tailored-pant

Aritzia Effortless Pant vs. Abercrombie Sloane Pant Comparison

Price & Value

There's a significant price difference here. The Aritzia Effortless Pant, at $148, is an investment piece. Its value comes from superior fabric, sophisticated drape, and long-term durability. You are paying for a premium pant that will be a workhorse in a professional or polished wardrobe for years.

The Abercrombie Sloane Pant costs $90 but is almost always included in sales, often dropping the price to below $70. Its value is in its accessibility. You can get the on-trend silhouette for less than half the price, making it a fantastic choice if you want the look without the high cost or if you're looking for a more casual trouser.

Materials & Construction

Aritzia's signature Crepe fabric is the star of the show. It's sourced from a renowned Japanese mill and has a weightiness that creates a beautiful, professional drape. It resists wrinkles remarkably well and feels elevated. The tailoring is clean and precise, reflecting its higher price.

Abercrombie uses a polyester/elastane blend that is designed for softness and comfort. It's a much lighter fabric that's pleasant for full days of wear but doesn't offer the same structured look or a crisp appearance as Aritzia's pant. The quality is solid for the price but won't be mistaken for a luxury garment.

Fit & Sizing

Both brands do an excellent job offering length options (Short/Regular/Long). Aritzia's fit is consistently tailored, creating a clean line from hip to hem that works especially well for straighter body types.

Abercrombie's key advantage is the "Curve Love" fit. This is a crucial feature for anyone with a smaller waist and fuller hips or thighs, a common fit issue with standard trousers. By adding an extra two inches through the hip and thigh, Abercrombie addresses a massive gap in the market, making the Sloane Pant the default winner for many curvy shoppers.

Style & Versatility

The Aritzia Effortless Pant is undeniably more versatile for dressing up. Its luxurious fabric and impeccable cut make it a natural fit for the office, business meetings, and formal events. You can easily dress them down, but their primary identity is polished.

The Abercrombie Sloane Pant shines in smart-casual and fully casual settings. The softer fabric and slightly more relaxed fit make it perfect for weekend brunch, daily errands, or a laid-back office environment. While you can dress it up, it will always retain a more relaxed, approachable feel.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both pants serve the modern wardrobe well, but they are built for different priorities and lifestyles.

Choose the Aritzia Effortless Pant if:

  • You need a go-to trouser for a professional or corporate office setting.
  • You are investing in a long-term capsule wardrobe and prioritize premium materials.
  • You prefer a pant with a structured, elegant drape that looks sharp all day.
  • Your budget allows for a higher-priced investment piece.

Choose the Abercrombie Sloane Pant if:

  • You have found that traditional pants gap at your waist or are too tight on your hips and thighs (the Curve Love fit is for you!).
  • You're on a budget and love catching a great deal during sales.
  • You want a comfortable, casual trouser for everyday wear that still looks put-together.
  • You prioritize comfort and flexibility in your pants over a rigid, structured feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the main difference between the Aritzia Effortless and Abercrombie Sloane pants?

The main differences are price, fabric, and primary use. Aritzia's is a $148 polished, professional trouser made from high-quality crepe. Abercrombie's is a sub-$100 casual pant made from a softer blend with a genius "Curve Love" fit option.

Are the Aritzia Effortless Pants worth the price?

For many, yes. If you are looking for long-lasting quality, a timeless silhouette, and a wrinkle-resistant fabric suitable for the office or travel, the superior construction and materials justify the investment.

Is the Abercrombie Sloane Pant a good dupe for the Aritzia Effortless Pant?

It's better to think of it as a great alternative rather than a direct dupe. It captures the same wide-leg silhouette and high-waisted trend, but the feel and drape of the fabric are distinctly different. It gives a similar look for a more casual context and a much lower price.

How does the sizing compare between the Aritzia and Abercrombie pants?

Both brands generally run true to size and offer extensive length options. The key difference is Abercrombie's Curve Love line, designed specifically for curvier body types with a larger waist-to-hip ratio, which Aritzia does not offer.

Which pant is better for petites?

Both are excellent for petites. Aritzia offers a "Short" inseam, and Abercrombie offers both "Short" and "Extra Short" options, ensuring that shoppers of smaller stature can find a pair that doesn't need hemming.

Which pant is better for curvy figures?

Hands down, the Abercrombie Sloane Pant is better for curvy figures due to its Curve Love fit. It is specifically designed to eliminate the common problem of waistband gapping by providing more room in the hips and thighs.

Which pant is more professional for the office?

The Aritzia Effortless Pant is better suited for a professional setting. Its premium crepe fabric, sharper tailoring, and elegant drape give it a more formal and elevated appearance compared to the softer, more casual feel of the Abercrombie pant.

How do you care for each pant?

Check the care label first, but both are surprisingly easy to care for. Aritzia's Crepe is often machine washable on cold, though many prefer to dry clean to maintain its structure. Abercrombie's pants are also machine washable on a cold cycle, making them great for everyday use.