A Sloanie, Sloane or Sloane Ranger is a stereotypical young upper-middle or upper class British person who pursues a distinctive fashionable lifestyle. Sometimes these people are referred to as "Posh" but it is important to note that not all posh people are Sloanes. Probably, the most famous example of this subculture was Diana Spencer, before and around the time she married Prince Charles. Another notable example is the TV character Tim Nice-But-Dim, an Old Ardinian.
The term is a humorous combination of "Sloane Square", a location in Chelsea, London, famed for the wealth of residents and frequenters, and the television character The Lone Ranger.[1]
History[]
The Sloane Ranger has roots in the English upper classes. Families were peers of the Realm (members of the Royal Family or those with titles presented by the Royal Family) or landed gentry (people who controlled estates and received income from tenants renting land on the estate). Men in these families were members of the House of Lords, who had huge influence on British government and society.
During the British colonial era, British aristocrats settled in Australia, Canada, India and the United States. In the United States, they formed the WASP and Preppy subcultures, which can be very similar to the Sloane Ranger aesthetic.
In the 1920s, many of the old estates fell into disrepair due to rising costs and the decline of the servant class. Today many old estates are museums and historical sites. Other estates which remain in the family are rented out for movie and television productions, such as Highclare Castle, the setting for Downton Abbey. Despite the "poverty" of the aristocracy (relative to their ancestors), an old family name or title gives a Sloane status.
Part of the Sloane Ranger aesthetic is a sense of nostalgia for the past, whether it be the 18th century, or the 1920s-1950s. The nostalgia tends to be very patriotic, romanticizing British history and historical figures such as Winston Churchill and members of the Royal Family and ignoring the dark side of British imperialism.
Values[]
Most of the things that Sloanes value are very old. They do not like or trust things which are new, foreign, or French.
- English Patriotism, including extreme loyalty to the Queen and the Royal Family
- "Good Schools" - Eton, Harrow, Oxford, Cambridge
- noble titles
- pedigree dogs
- pedigree horses
- Georgian era antique furniture
- jewelry and silver passed down from family members
Visuals[]
Places and things associated with the English upper classes. There is some crossover with Dark and Light Academia aesthetics because many Sloanes attend boarding school and later prestigious universities such as Cambridge, Oxford, and St. Andrews.
- A country house or estate
- British patriotic imagery such as the Union Flag and images of the Queen
- English village life
- Horses and equestrian imagery
- Many dogs, especially hunting breeds like labradors, Jack Russells, King Charleses, Irish Setters
- Oil paintings of ancestors
- Scottish tartans and similar plaids
- The Cotswolds
- chickens
Fashion[]
Clothing is generally modest and long lasting. Royal Warrants can be issued to brands which produce high quality goods favored by the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, and the Prince of Wales. Warrants can be revoked if the actions of the company displeases the person who issued it. Rigby & Peller, which provided the Queen's undergarments, had its warrant revoked in 2018.
Natural fibers like cotton, wool, and silk are favored. The English insistence on maintaining their traditional dress codes, despite being impractical for the climate of India or the Caribbean, is often mocked in fiction.
- Blazers in red and navy blue
- Aran aka Fisherman sweaters
- Faire Isle sweaters
- Cardigans
- Kilts (men) or pleated skirts (women) in the family tartan
- Liberty print shirts and dresses
- Wax jackets (especially ones from Barbour)
- Pashmina
- Pearl necklaces and earrings
- Polo shirts
- Remembrance Poppy (poppy shaped pin worn in November to commemorate veterans of the British Armed Forces)
- Riding boots
- Rain boots aka wellies
- Silk dressing gown
- Skinny jeans
- Tennis whites and cricket whites (white sweater and pants or skirt)
- Tweed suit and flat cap for hunting (men)
Makeup[]
Makeup is generally natural, with products used to enhance features. The Sloane Ranger handbook describes the look as "fresh scrubbed."
- Essie Ballet Slipper nail polish - worn by Queen Elizabeth
- Elizabeth Arden lipstick - worn by Queen Elizabeth
- Trilogy Rose Hip Oil - used by Kate Middleton
- Kiehl's Creme with Silk Groom - used by Kate Middleton
- Charlotte Tilbury Full Fat Lashes Mascara - used by Princess Eugenie
Brands[]
Members of the Royal Family are loyal to certain brands. Fashion blogs and magazines report on the styles worn by Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, which have made them popular among the general public. Website crashes due to sudden interest in items are common.
- Burberry
- Barbour
- Fairfax & Favor
- Gianvito Rossi
- Gieves & Hawkes
- Hunter
- Jimmy Choo
- Laura Ashley
- L.K. Bennett
- Liberty
- N. Peal
- Olivia von Halle
- Penelope Chilvers
- Russell & Bromley
- Stuart Weitzman
- Superga
- Ted Baker
- Temperley
- Turnbull & Asser
- Vejas
Food and drinks[]
- Pimm's
- strawberries and cream
- game meat - pheasants and rabbit
- tapioca
- Champagne
- Colman's Mustard
- raspberries, blackberries and wild strawberries
- parmesan cheese
- homemade jam
- baked goods like quiche, pies, and cakes
Activities[]
Sports[]
- Cricket
- Golf
- (Field) Hockey
- Equestrian sports
- Dressage
- Driving
- Racing
- Show Jumping
- Lacrosse
- Shooting and Hunting
- Rambling
- Rowing
- Sailing
- Skiing
- Tennis
Leisure Activities[]
- Talking to other Sloanes
- Walking through gardens (or parks)
- Picnicking
Events[]
- The Chelsea Flower Show
- Royal Ascot
- Wimbledon
- Henley Royal Regatta
Media[]
Movies[]
- A Room With A View (1985)
- A Royal Night Out (2015)
- Brideshead Revisited (2008)
- Bridget Jones' Diary (2001)
- Christopher Robin (2018)
- Death at A Funeral (2007)
- Gosford Park (2001)
- James Bond (franchise)
- Kingsman (2014)
- Lady Chatterley's Lover
- Notting Hill (1999)
- Peter Rabbit (2018)
- The Dig (2021)
- The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society (2018)
- The King's Speech (2010)
TV Shows[]
- A Discovery of Witches (2018-)
- All Creatures Great and Small (2020-)
- Agatha Raisin (2014-)
- Death in Paradise (2011-)
- Downton Abbey (2010-2015)
- Father Brown (2013-)
- Indian Summers (2015)
- Inspector Lewis (2006-2015)
- Inspector Morse (1987-2000)
- Jeeves and Wooster (1990-1993)
- Rebecca (2020)
- Riviera (2017-)
- Sherlock (2010-2017)
- The Crown (2016-2023)
- The Durrells (2016-2019)
- The Great British Bake Off (2010-)
- The Pursuit of Love (2021)
- To the Manor Born (1979-2007)
Books[]
- Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
- Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
- Narnia (series) by CS Lewis
- Peter Pan by JM Barrie
- Peter Rabbit books by Beatrix Potter
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
- Rainbow Fairy books by Andrew Lang
- Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome
- Winnie the Pooh by AA Milne
Authors[]
- Agatha Christie
- E. Nesbit
- Georgette Heyer
- Jilly Cooper
- John le Carré
- PG Wodehouse
Magazines[]
- Horse and Hound
- Tatler
- The Lady
- Town and Country
Notable Figures[]
1950s[]
- Grace Kelly (one of the few American Sloanes)
- Nancy Mitford
- Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother
- Queen Elizabeth II
- Winston Churchill
1980s[]
- Lady Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales
- Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York
- Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones
- Daphne Guinness
- Susannah Constantine
1990s[]
- Elizabeth Hurley
- Jemima Goldsmith
- Hugh Grant
- Colin Firth
2010s[]
- Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge
- Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex
- Princess Eugenie
- Princess Beatrice
- Cressida Bonas
- Pippa Middleton
- Lady Kitty Spencer
Fictional Characters[]
- Gemma from Four Weddings and a Funeral (2019)
- King Arthur
- Mia and Susie from Free Rein (2017-2019)
- Phoenix Buchanan (Hugh Grant) in Paddington 2 (2017)
- Tilly from Miranda (2009-2015)
Gallery[]
Resources[]
General[]
Books[]
- Old Homes, New Life: The Resurgence of the British Country House by Clive Aslet with photographs by Dylan Thomas
- Watching the English by Kate Fox
- The Sloane Ranger Handbook
- Cooler, Faster, More Expensive: The Return of the Sloane Ranger
Culture[]
- Posh poets
- 19 books you'll find on a posh person's bookshelf
- 28 words that only posh people use
- Quiz: Are you a Millennial Sloane?
- Do you know what these Millennial Sloane slang words mean?
- 12 shooting terms all Sloanes should know
- How Sloanes cope with heatwaves (or not)
- 8 tips for being a Sloane negotiator
- Turbo Sloanes and where to spot one
- How to spot a Sloane on Tinder
- Star signs decoded for Sloanes
- Does that Sloane fancy me?
Fashion[]
- Why do Sloanes wear signet rings?
- Royal Warrants issued for Clothing and Accessories
- The Scottish Register of Tartans
- What Kate Wore (Kate Middleton fashion)
- What Kate's Kids Wore
- What Meghan Wore (Meghan Markle fashion)
- Gemma from Four Weddings and A Funeral outfits on Shop Your TV
- Free Rein outfits on Shop Your TV
Food[]
- 18 Things You Never Knew About the Royal Family's *Insane* Eating Habits
- Kippers, aspic and gin – dining like the Queen for a day
- Chocolate Cupcake Recipe from the Royal Chefs
- Spiced Easter Biscuits from the Royal Chefs
- Middleton Family Chutney Recipe
- Pancake Recipe from the Royal Chefs
- Prince Charles' Cheesy Eggs
- Queen Elizabeth's Drop Scone Recipe
- Queen Elizabeth's Favorite Chocolate Cake
- Queen Elizabeth's Favorite Chocolate Mousse
- Queen Elizabeth's Favorite Custard
Holidays and celebrations[]
- 6 New Year’s resolutions for Sloanes
- 11 signs that you're at a Sloane wedding
- Where do Sloanes go on Bonfire Night?
- 12 posh Christmas tree decorations every Sloane should have
Houses and home decor[]
- What posh people keep in their nurseries
- What posh people do in the bath
- The 8 items that make a bathroom posh