HAREM WOMEN'S PANTS GUIDE TO WEAR THEM

Lighten up your wardrobe with women's harem pants!

Here's a guide with the most practical tips on how to wear women's harem pants in style.

But first, let's take a step back and get to know the origins of this garment, whose originality and comfort are making more and more room in our wardrobes.

The history of harem pants

Today, women's and men's harem pants are a reflection of a casual and relaxed lifestyle, but their evolution hides a much more complex history. 

Whether you're a traveller, like to sport a more relaxed style or just like to be comfortable, you should know that harem pants have been worn by men and women alike. Over the years they have taken a fascinating journey from being the traditional 'dhoti' worn by men in the East, to being a modern unisex garment in the Western world. 

With so many different prints and materials available, they have become very fashionable and can be purchased in many physical and virtual shops all over the world.

They are also available in a variety of colours and materials.

Although you've often seen them around, perhaps worn by friends, how much do you really know about their history?

They are a great way to make a statement.

WHAT ARE HAREM PANTS?

Women's harem pants are loose-fitting, mid-calf/calf-length pants that are characterised by a loose fit at the hips and crotch. They are commonly synonymous with 'fisherman's pants' or 'Turkish pants' because of their short mid-calf design and low crotch. In the early days, they were a symbol of modesty, as the wide hips and legs typical of these trousers served to hide women's shapes.

Originally from the East and Southeast Asia, they spread mainly to Europe, where the Middle East was a source of cultural intrigue, and its clothing a strong source of inspiration for many.

Over the years, they have come and gone in fashion, and have been famously worn by both men and women. Some popular examples include the pants worn by famous 80s rapper MC Hammer, who wore them in his music video, 'Can't Touch This'. This led to the term 'Hammer Pants' or 'Parachute pants', which were more tapered at the ankle.

More recently, Justin Bieber has also popularised this style of clothing, with stars such as Gwen Stefani, Maria Sharapova, Rhianna and many others further popularising the trend.

WHY DO HAREM PANTS HAVE THAT NAME?

Apart from the harem being ingrained in the name, the name of these pants originates from the Turkish language. They were known as 'Salvar' or 'Shalwar', which is the Turkish word for pants.

These pants have been worn for a very long time, so their history may appear confusing, but there are a few key points in the last two hundred years where their introduction into Western society is known, which explains their current and continuing popularity. 

WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF HAREM PANTS?

The record of women's harem pants was made by Amelia Bloomer, famous for introducing the 'bloomers'. She is credited with bringing these trousers to the Western world in the mid-1800s; it was a time in history when women challenged social norms by dressing in clothes previously reserved for men.

The recording featuring women's harem pants was made by Amelia Bloomer, who is famous for introducing 'bloomers'.

So, these pants were not only worn as a more comfortable option to oppressive corsets, but were also a way to fight for women's rights. At the time, they were part of the feminist movement with their higher hemlines and associations with masculinity.  

Subsequently, this style of clothing faded from the scene, until French designer Pierre Poiret brought it back into his collection in 1909. He tried to bring a Middle Eastern and Asian influence to his clothing, with trousers, kaftans and headdresses, collectively referred to as 'Style Sultane' in French. Seen as very provocative, these designs were avant-garde and made from silk and satin materials, with intricate embroidery and beading. 

During the last century, as mentioned above, this garment has made several comebacks, particularly in the 60s, 70s and 80s. In addition to this, in the 1990s, Disney films such as Aladdin also showed characters, both male and female, wearing unisex harem pants. 

Later, in 2009, women's harem pants made a further return to the catwalk in Ralph Lauren's spring collection, proving that they never really go out of fashion. 

So, while these pants may have been used to denote or challenge gender roles in the past, today they are unisex, and a comfortable option for many, whether you choose to wear them while doing activities such as yoga, or just lounging around.

Women's harem pants how to wear them

Few garments are more comfortable to wear than women's harem pants, making them the perfect choice for a yoga class or a relaxing evening at home. Cosy and practical though, harem trousers can make a serious style statement, provided you know how to wear them.

If you want to make harem pants the star of your autumn wardrobe, and the star of your spring-summer outfits, here are some style tips from our design team:

• CONDITION ONE - SHORTER TOP, LIFE DISCOVERED

Worried about looking overwhelmed by trousers? When you wear them, do you not feel that you are valued and fear that you will look shapeless? This is normal, because women's harem pants are low-waisted, loose-fitting trousers that, when worn with a classic t-shirt, don't put you in the right light. But you'll find that by uncovering your tummy a little, you'll give instant definition to your silhouette. A slightly cropped top instantly creates a relaxed look for daytime, yet elegant and sensual for the evening. In fact, if you're feeling daring, you can wear a higher cut top and show off your abs: this look is perfect when teamed with a cardigan or a denim or leather jacket.

This top in the photo highlights the waist, without taking attention away from the beautiful pants.

• CONDITION TWO - SOFT COLORS, SIMPLE DESIGN

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You may love that purple paisley patterned t-shirt, but it's probably, nay definitely, not the best choice to pair with your women's harem pants. If you choose a top with a particular pattern or colour palette, you run the risk of your outfit being too pretentious. Monochrome tops, on the other hand, will make your harem pants stand out and take centre stage, and narrower tops that accentuate the waist will help balance out the loose design of the harem pants.

• CONDITION THREE - PAIR THEM WITH LARGE BOOTS

The androgynous look is currently all over the catwalks, and harem pants are ideal if you want to carry on this style. Big boots, such as Dr Martens with laces, look great with wide-cut harem pants, especially in darker colours such as black or black and white. If you want to add a touch of masculinity, tuck the bottoms of your trousers into your shoes and match with a black top.

If you'd prefer something more feminine, opt for women's harem pants in a more elegant pattern and team them with a pair of slimmer, heeled boots.

• FOURTH TIP: wear it your way

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The best thing about harem pants is that they are designed to suit your personal style. In fact, they reflect the taste of the wearer. Go with colours or patterns for a bohemian 60s look, or choose a monochrome pair for a more urban feel. They can be teamed with a variety of accessories, from scarves and cardigans to sports tops and tracksuit jackets. This look is great for nights out and looks best when worn with ethnic jewellery.

In short, unisex harem pants are one of the most versatile items you can have in your wardrobe and, like the faithful "little black dress", can be worn in many different ways, depending on your mood. Have fun experimenting!

To recap one last time, keep in mind these few principles summarised in the table below. In every outfit, it's the personality underneath that makes the difference - if you feel comfortable in your baggy pants, there's no combination that can stop you. Challenge yourself and have fun creating different combinations, even combining different styles if you like it and it makes you feel good, it will have the same effect on everyone who looks at you, you can be sure of that!