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Fashion Challenge: Revisit Harem Pants

Last Updated on January 31, 2019 by Chelsea - University of Oklahoma
This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you purchase through our links. Please read our full disclosure here.
Harem pants

Harem pants are not a new discussion topic here at CF. We were confused and skeptical when they first started hitting the runways, but grew to understand how to style them after a few months.

Although some view them as a little bit too trendy to pull off in a college atmosphere, I find slouchy pants to be a nice break from what we’re used to seeing. They look extremely edgy and fashion-forward but are still really comfortable — a combination that I find truly perfect. The best part about them is that they’re easier to style than you would initially think.

Ready to take the challenge and learn how to style harem pants? Read on!

Tips and Tricks for Wearing Harem Pants

  • Think about the fabric. Thicker, more structured fabrics like cotton or linen will flatter your body more than a thin fabric like silk.
  • The cut is super important. Too much drape can look sloppy at times. The most flattering cuts are loose around the thighs and crotch, but not so loose that the fabric bunches when you’re just standing.
  • Avoid drop-crotch pants unless you’re fashion-fearless. Although they’re popular on runways, in real life they can resemble a diaper.
  • Highlight your waist. This will help balance out the bulk that comes from your pants. Try wearing these pants with a tighter fitting top, belt, or cropped jacket. Also, tuck tops into your pants.
  • The length is important, too. Pants that stop too close to the knee can give you a bit of a Foghorn-Leghorn type aesthetic. I think they look best when they stop a few inches above your ankle, but it’s all about your personal preference.
  • Wear them with heels for an extra flattering look. In general, heels make your legs look longer, helping to balance harem pants’ tendency to make legs look short.
  • They can work with flats or sandals, too. In the photo above, Gwen Stefani wears harem pants casually and they look great.
  • Having a lazy day? Because they’re comfy and don’t restrict your movement, harem pants are a great alternative to your typical sweats. Pair them with a plain t-shirt, girly flats, and a ponytail for a comfy yet fashion-conscious outfit.
  • Play up their exotic aesthetic by wearing them with jeweled sandals, a snake bracelet, rich colors, or a stack of brightly-colored bangles.
  • Let them be the center of attention. These are easier to pull off if you pair them with something classic, as opposed to other uber-trendy pieces.
  • Wear with confidence. These are tricky to wear, and people will applaud you for having the guts to try them out. If you feel good in them, other people will think you look great too!

Outfit Inspiration

How to wear harem pants

Harem Pants, Tank, Heels, Bangles, Earrings, Ring

Tuck a colorful patterned tank into a slouchy pair of pants like these! I like this pair because they’re basic — they don’t have too much draping and they’re not too baggy — but still have a cute tie embellishment. A pair of stilettos will make your legs look mile-long, while patterned bangles, a snake ring, and feather earrings finish off the look.

How to wear harem pants

Harem Pants, T-Shirt, Bracelet, Shoes, Headband

A basic v-neck tee will look great tucked in to a pair of harem pants, especially nautical-inspired ones like these! Finish this springtime outfit with pastel colored flats, a cute bracelet, and a flower headband.

Rocked the Challenge? Send Us Your Pictures!

Did you wear a pair of harem pants this week? If so, take a couple snapshots and send them to fashionchallenge AT collegefashion.net along with your name, school, a description of what you’re wearing, and the URL of your blog if you have one. We’ll feature your photo here to inspire other CF readers!

We can make you a celebrity overnight. 🙂

CF Reader Looks

Abigail Tam-CUNY Brooklyn College

IMG_4231

Does Abigail look chic or what? For more of her style, check out her blog here!

Thoughts?

Have you warmed up to harem pants, or are you still on the fence about them? Do you own a pair? How do you like to style them? Do you think these can work on the street, or should they stay on the runway? What other pieces do you own that you find tricky to style? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment!

Tags : Fashion Challenge, Harem Pants, How To, Pants

12 Comments
Originally published on April 14, 2011
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Comments

  1. Kandace says

    May 29, 2019 at 5:00 pm

    I have been wanting to try these! great advice, thanks!!

    Reply
  2. Jamie says

    May 29, 2019 at 5:00 pm

    I have beyond warmed up, I now have 3 pairs! They’re crazy comfortable I recommend everyone have at least 1 pair. Perfect alternative to those hideous PINK sweats I see all over campus.

    Reply
  3. Melissa says

    May 29, 2019 at 5:00 pm

    I’ve always been wary of harem pants but you’ve made me change my mind! I always thought you’d have to wear heels etc to make them look good, but I like the way you put it “Pair them with a plain t-shirt, girly flats, and a ponytail for a comfy yet fashion-conscious outfit.” I’m so gonna try that! Thanks CollegeFashion xxx

    Reply
  4. shay monet says

    May 29, 2019 at 5:00 pm

    i have an hour glass figure and these just dont work on me 🙁 i do love the first outfit though!

    Reply
  5. Jenny in Jacquard says

    May 29, 2019 at 5:00 pm

    I’ve always been weary about harem pants. The looks I’ve seen on the runways don’t translate to real life. But I have seen a few pieces in commercial retail stores (F21 caries a few) and the slouchiness has been really toned down. I’m gathering the courage to try them out!

    Reply
  6. Freedom says

    May 29, 2019 at 5:00 pm

    I’m tired of harem pants getting a bad rep .
    Trends are just suggestions and often come back with an element of updated modernity. So I feel people should try them before they nix them. I have a classic Style yet I’m open to trends. Nobody would make a broad general statement claiming nobody can pull of jeans. T
    hat’s because they come in some many style and washes, it be very hard to say so. (Although I hate wearing jeans for comfort and overall style but that another story. It’s not like I don’t have a pair in my closet) the same goes for any trend or piece of clothing.
    Harem pants vary in quality , fabric, and cut. All these factors attribute to whether the garment itself and the person wears it looks and feels.

    Reply
  7. Jennifer says

    May 29, 2019 at 5:00 pm

    I wish I could wear these, they look so comfortable, but alas I was blessed with large hips that DO NOT need to be accentuated.

    Reply
  8. Kristina says

    May 29, 2019 at 5:00 pm

    Thanks so much for this post! I recently bought two pairs of harem pants after avoiding them like the plague. One is patterned and the other just a solid black. I think they’re a lot more flattering, cute, and wearable than many may assume. I used to think they would draw attention to my wide hips and thicker thighs, which is exactly where I don’t want attention. However I think with a tapered bottom and a fitted top, or with heels/wedges if you’re on the shorter side, these can look very fashion forward and even flattering! I think in the summer with some jeweled sandals, a basic tank tucked in and a scarf you can look both casual and very stylish. You can also dress them up with heels and a blazer.

    I would be very interested to see CF do a post on patterned harem pants as I see a lot of those around recently in stores like Forever 21 and H&M (floral and paisley print, as well as animal print). These can be harder to wear than solid harem pants!

    Reply
  9. Jenna says

    May 29, 2019 at 5:00 pm

    My best friend wears them all the time and looks gorgeous in that androgynous Katherine Hepburn type way but she is pear shaped, a tiny upper body with a perfectly flat stomach and the loose pants hide her big hips and chunkier legs.
    I however have a bit of a belly and boobs and chicken legs so in wearing harem pants I am hiding my skinny parts and thus making myself look huge! I can’t pull them off but I WISH I could!

    Reply
  10. Alex says

    May 29, 2019 at 4:59 pm

    I looooove harem pants! I have two. They’re cute I think. And mad comfy!

    Reply
  11. Anna says

    November 6, 2019 at 12:25 pm

    I vote yes for harem pants. 🙂

    Reply
  12. shaina says

    April 15, 2019 at 11:10 am

    i’ve always been super skeptical (and still am, to be honest), especially since i generally tend to wear skinny jeans or leggings and a looser top (i actually remember when i used to be really skeptical of skinny jeans too, sometime in early high school) but i recently bought a pair of looser jeans and i’ve been admiring the harem pants sweatpants of a girl in my hall. because they’re so thin and drapey they’re super flattering. i think i would try them like that.

    Reply

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