The
Winners
The
Losers
This weekend I scoured NYC's SoHo (a shopper's mecca) with a mission in mind - the search for the perfect Harem Pant. I had to have a pair, and the sooner the better. But that didn't mean my standards could be pushed to the side, I wasn't settling for any old pair off any old sales rack. After trying on about 24 pairs at a whopping 7 different locations I had to resign. Quitting isn't really my style, so I came home and continued the search online. I was able to locate three pairs that I think are fantastic. Now my only question is which of the three should I take home with me?!
The key to this look is to understand that minimalism is your friend. I'm not an uber trendy girl, so how does the non-trend-junkie sport this style? Find a pair that err more on the side of a stylish trouser, than a statement.
Why the winners work? They have sleek lines with a narrow leg and subtle tapering that make them more a nod to 1980's women's wear than to the one and only M.C. Hammer. To make them office appropriate pair them with a silk blouse and blazer. For an edgier, of the moment feel, add a tank and platforms.
Why the losers don't? Harem pants can lend themselves to looking like a pair of ill fitting sweats, at best. At worst they can look like a uniform for Cranky the Clown. For the fashion risk taker, the Marc by Marc Jacobs or L.a.m.b. styles could be ok, but buyer beware. These styles, even for the trendiest of trend followers, are only good for a handful of wears.
Harem pants make for chic and comfortable dressing. They're instant ensemble-makers. While my personal style leans towards the clean and classic, I can absolutely embrace this trend; after all, who doesn't appreciate looking chic AND feeling like you're in your PJ's?
You can find this foxy financier scooping up fun finds at NYC's department stores, and the occasional sample sale. She's always had a head for math and an eye for fashion. It makes for an interesting combination. She's not one to read a fashion magazine from cover to cover, so she pulls inspiration from movies, TV and surfing the web. She takes something she's seen that she likes and puts her own little spin on it. To achieve her personal aesthetic, she mixes unexpectedly feminine pieces and tomboy cool to eclectic perfection. The result - a totally unique-chic look that is on trend without being overtly trendy.