SPRING 2009: Harem Pants

I was soo excited when a sister commented and let me know she purchased Harem pants and that she needed help finding ways to wear them! This trend is super hard to wear- but if you do it right, you can look elegant, grunge, girly, or anything you want to be-- fabulously!

The best tip I have, is to wear structured pieces with them. Because the harem pants are very loose, having many elegant folds, one should wear a structured piece like a blazer for a complete, well thought out look. Here are two outfits I created:

Ankle boots would work amazingly with harem pants. Boots are an accessory that can really chanage the outfit you're wearing. If you go with a more vintage boot- it can transform your outfit respectively. Adding details like gorgeous buckles, and studded heels will really make your outfit stand out.

Try a leather jacket with your harem pants- but if you do so, don't go for ankle boots that scream "tough", rather go for ones you wouldn't think to wear right away- like colored ones. Notice how I used the studded ankle boots with the broad shoulder blazer on the right instead of the studded leather jacket on the left.

Remember to go for chunky rings to complete the look.
Two of my favorite designers (along with others) have Harem pants featured in their collections! Let's take a look at their outfits, and take ideas from them!
Proenza Schouler:

This one above is worn with a long top (like a tunic), and you can wear it like this, unless yours are much looser, or if it's low crotched.

Diane Von Furstenburg:

The pic above is an alternative to the "structured top for harem pants" rule that I mentioned above. It works really well, but cinch it somewhere so it provides for some structure in the outfit.
A structured top-- wear a structured button up or stiff longsleeve.

A structured top, and a loose blazer.

^This is just cool.

DO NOTS:

- Do not wear a tunic with your harem pants if they have low crotches. If they do not, and are tapered at the bottoms, that's fine (check proenza schouler pics above).

- Do not cover the waistband because they allow for more detail, and show where all the folds are coming from.

- Do not go for heavy fabrics like cotton - unless you love them. That's always an exception.