How to Enjoy the Ease of Harem Pants

I only have one pair of harem pants but I wear them often.  I love them in the summer because they are light and airy.  With the summers getting hotter, they are a go-to item for keeping cool.  Yet they are adaptable for any season and can be layered as you like.  And they come in a variety of shapes and fabrics.  They are easy to style with a t-shirt yet can be worn for evening events as well.  Since they are always comfortable, let’s explore how to enjoy the ease of harem pants!

Harem pants are full, loose-fitting pants made of a soft material that is gathered in closely at the ankle or lower leg.  The original harem pants were introduced to Western fashion by designers such as Paul Poiret around 1910, although they themselves were inspired by Middle Eastern styles, and by şalvar (Turkish trousers).  Read on to find out how you can enjoy the ease of harem pants for yourself!

They are good for comfort and movement, often used for doing yoga, and are useful for wearing at outdoor concerts.  They are similar to jogger pants, which are also loose and cinched at the ankle.  Although joggers are more for athleisure and harem pants can be dressed up more easily.

Harem pants and joggers are the definition of effortless dressing. Age doesn’t matter as they are comfortable, cool, and yet perfectly polished. These street style pieces flow from the gym to just about anywhere.

Starting with the basic elements of mastering this style, I’ll follow with lots of outfit ideas for day and evening.  So let’s get started.

How to Enjoy the Ease of Harem Pants

Let the fabric dictate how and where you wear this slouchy style. Loose linen and breezy cotton harem pants are perfect for a stroll along the beach; they are a great beach cover-up.  Silky styles complement work wear.  And heavier knits are like sweatpants:  great for lounging in!

Let things hang loose with laid-back layers and streetwise extras. Roomy tailoring from hip to hemline brings a fully off-duty vibe, while drawstring waists are perfect for half-tucked tops. Create clean lines with a seamless bodysuit for a sophisticated look, or wear a crop top for a bit of boho fun. From kicking back at home to traveling in style, these trousers transition anywhere and everywhere with total ease.

Wear harem pants or joggers with:

• a boxy top no longer than hip length
• a wrap top
• a fitted knit top
• a fluid tank with curved hems
• a fluid high-low top.

If you like, add a wide belt at waist.

Since both harem pants and joggers are casual pants, they are an easy go-to item. You can dress them up with heels, dress them down with sneakers or ankle boots (especially buckle boots or combat boots), or make them summery with sandals (especially gladiator-style.)  With flat sandals, add a casual tote or small cross-body bag.

With a T-shirt

A t-shirt is the ultimate comfortable piece to wear with harem pants.  It can be a black or white tee or any color or print or a graphic t-shirt.  It can be long-sleeved, short-sleeved, sleeveless or bare.  Fitted or cropped is best, but it can also be flowing or draped or surplice.  It can even be a long, loose tee worn over the harem pants for a casual way to lounge around the house.  Here are some ways to wear it:

• A t-shirt loosely tucked inside harem pants + a vest.  Add an exotic metal necklace + a stack of metal bangles on each wrist + studded ankle boots.
• A white tee over harem pants.  Add a pendant + heeled ankle boots.  If it’s cool, you might want to add a beanie or cap or fedora.
• A white tee tied at the side + harem pants.  Add a statement necklace.  You might want to add another shorter, delicate necklace.
• A fitted black tee or tank + harem pants.
• A short-sleeve black, gray or navy tee + harem pants.  Add flat-heeled ankle boots + a short pendant/medallion on a cord + a wrap bracelet.

• A striped tee or tank + harem pants + a drape-front vest, cardigan or jacket.  Add a pendant + bangles + platform sandals.
• A graphic tee or tank + harem pants.  Tie a beautiful scarf around waist.  Sling a belt over the scarf.  You might like to add a printed jacket.  Add embellished and/or ballet flats.
• A draped t-shirt messy tucked into harem pants.  Add a waterfall necklace + a cuff
• A leopard-print tee + harem pants.
• A long-sleeve or short sleeve t-shirt or tank top or camisole + harem pants.  Add a brown (neutral) bead bracelet.  If cool, add a hoodie.
• A t-shirt + harem pants.  Add a long beaded pendant + wide or interesting hoop earrings.

For Fall/Winter

• A long-sleeve t-shirt or thin turtleneck over harem pants.  Add high-top sneakers or ankle boots with a heel.
• A not-too-long turtleneck + harem pants or joggers.  Add a bomber jacket + ankle boots.
• A loose t-shirt (not too long) over harem pants tucked inside ankle boots.  Add a hoodie.  If cool, you might want to add a beanie.
• A t-shirt over harem pants + a long cardigan (fringe would be nice.) Add ankle boots.
• A long-sleeve black t-shirt + black printed harem pants + black high-top sneakers.

• A long-sleeve blouse + harem pants.  Add oxfords.
• A t-shirt + harem pants + a duster or long cardigan.  Add sneakers.
• A t-shirt (if it’s long, try a messy tuck) + harem pants + a long/draped/oversize cardigan.  Add ankle boots.
• A t-shirt loosely tucked inside harem pants + a jean jacket with the sleeves rolled up.  Add a few chain/bead necklaces + a few metal bangles + ankle boots.
• Harem pants or joggers + a fairly fluid untucked or semi-tucked t-shirt + a jean jacket.  Fold back the jacket sleeves.  Try it with slip-on sneakers.

• A black leather jacket + harem pants + high-top sneakers.
• A moto jacket or a faux fur-lined leather jacket + a plaid shirt + harem pants.  You might want to sling a belt over and/or layer long underwear top and/or bottom under.  You might also like to add colorful boots, bright fingerless gloves or hand warmers, a cap.
• A short t-shirt + harem pants + a moto jacket.  Add ankle boots + a metallic bracelets.  Layer a necklaces.
• A short t-shirt + harem pants + a moto jacket.  Add ankle boots + a slouchy bag.  You might also like to add a beanie.
• A cropped t-shirt + harem pants + a moto jacket.  Add sandals + a necklace or earrings.
• A long-sleeve top + harem pants + sneakers.
• A sweater + harem pants.

For Evening

There are velvet, silk and satin harem pants that work great for evening!

• A sheer top + harem pants + heels.  You may then want to add sparkly accessories.
• A fitted top or cropped jacket + harem pants + heeled sandals.
• A flowing top + harem pants + chunky gold sandals.

More Ways to Wear It

• A camisole or tank top + harem pants + flat sandals.  Add a long beaded medallion + bead bracelets.  You may want to top this with an open-knit cardigan.
• A short dress over harem pants + a kimono or shrug.  Add East Indian-style embellished slides.
• A sleeveless tunic over harem pants.  Layer a long medallion with beads and maybe a choker.
• A top toned to the harem pants (i.e., a black printed top with black printed harem pants.)  You may want to add a head scarf, a jumble of natural bead necklaces, armloads of bangles, statement earrings, sandals.
• A neutral boxy or draping top that’s on the short side + harem pants.  Add chunky sandals such as wedges, flats or flatforms.

• A wrap top over harem pants.  Add flat sandals.  You may also want to add a straw hat.
• Harem pants + a blazer + a simple top tucked in.  Add some heels.
• A white or colorful camisole tucked inside harem pants + a draped cardigan to match the color of the cami.  Add a pendant, a wideband, some bracelets, flat gold sandals.
• A camisole + harem pants.  Sling a belt over waist.  Add a gold cuff.
• A lacy camisole + harem pants.  Add a long tassel or charm pendant + a wide bangle with a couple of narrow bangles + a pinky ring.

• A camisole + harem pants.
• A ruched tank top + harem pants.  Add flat sandals (such as Birks) + chain or bead bracelets.  Or, add cut-out booties or strappy sandals + a cuff + stacked rings.
• Harem pants + a plain tank top + a cropped jacket.
• A tank top + harem pants + Birkenstock sandals.
• A tank top + harem pants + jean jacket.  Add a short pendant/medallion on a cord + sandals

• A not-too-long draped top + harem pants or joggers.  If harem pants, add a shawl to match a color in the pants.  If joggers, you may want to add a topper in a contrasting color or pattern.  Or add a moto jacket or tuxedo jacket to either harem pants or joggers.
• A draped tank top + a fringed kimono + harem pants.  Add ankle boots.
• A sleeveless surplice top + harem pants.  Add wedge sandals + statement earrings + a big ring.  If sunny, add sunglasses.
• A fitted jacket + harem pants.
• A plaid shirt + harem pants.
• A peasant top over harem pants.  Add flat sandals.

Is this helpful to you?  Let us know by leaving a reply below!

Like this post?  You might also want to read: 

• “How to Get the Most From Jogger Pants“
• “How to Style Palazzo Pants Your Own Special Way“
• “The Fundamentals of How to Look Terrific in Flares“

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This post is linked up with: 

• Style Perspectives/Freestylin’ at Living on Cloud Nine 
• Fabulous Friday’s Linkup Party at Confessions of a Montreal Diva.
• Top of the World Style at High Latitude Style

Thanks so much for visiting Your True Self Blog!

Angie

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