Harem pants: the rise of the low crotch
November 17th, 2008Spring 2009 catwalk collections were full of harem pants: pants that are baggy on top and tapered at the bottom. A few fashion forward Euro chain stores like Topshop, H&M, French Connection and Zara have started testing the look in stores right now. I wonder what the reaction to this trend has been and whether the look will continue into Spring.
Genies and MC Hammer spring to mind when I see harem pants (watch his video to refresh your memory). And yes, you guessed it, all the styles have either gathered or pleated fronts. So what’s the verdict on the look. Will our eyes adjust to their retro appeal, or will they look ridiculous forever?
November 17th, 2008 at 5:55 am
I actually kind of like the look, but I’m not sure if I could pull it off.
November 17th, 2008 at 6:01 am
Kind of reminds me of sweat pants!
November 17th, 2008 at 6:03 am
i like the look of the 2nd and last one (viewing from left)
the first one looks too unflattering, while the third reminds me of sweatpants by the look of the material and just how it hangs on the model.
November 17th, 2008 at 6:07 am
They’re cute, but I don’t think I could pull them off either. No, I *know* I couldn’t. I think if you can legally drink, you’re too old to wear these.
November 17th, 2008 at 6:30 am
Been there done that. I think this will be a trend best suited for the young. I’d even go so far to say if you’re old enough to vote, you’re too old to wear these.
November 17th, 2008 at 6:51 am
mmm no thanks. The drop crotch reminds me of when my son needs his diaper changed.
November 17th, 2008 at 6:55 am
I don’t like them a single bit, and even if I could pull them off I wouldn’t wear them ( and I was too young to wear them the first time around). I saw a pair at Zara yesterday and didn’t like them even on a hanger. But I can imagine a trendy young lady looking very cute in them.
November 17th, 2008 at 7:02 am
Not a flattering look for most women.
Tall ultra thin and young might pull it off which is why new looks always look good on the models that can wear anything. But, that is what I thought about skinnies and slouchy bots when they came out.
Remember when gauchos came back? As I recall that didn’t last. Is anyone still wearing them?
November 17th, 2008 at 7:17 am
Oh no. I don’t believe these things actually came back. Still, I guess they might work on the right person wearing the right outfit. That person, however, would not be me.
November 17th, 2008 at 7:21 am
baggy on top, tapered at the bottom, pleats…dosen’t this break several fashion rules at once? Now I will have HammerTime running through my head all day…
November 17th, 2008 at 7:22 am
Forgot to mention that I think they are silly looking, I will avoid this trend.
November 17th, 2008 at 7:37 am
This looks like a trend that will blow away after a season (or two) and will be found on lists of the worst things people wore in 2009. I don’t like it because it is too shapeless and I think a lot of people (me included) prefer a more tailored and structured look. Shapeless, baggy pants are not congruous to MY body shape.
Maybe this type of pant is a bit of a rebellion against the skinny jeans mode?
November 17th, 2008 at 7:44 am
I never try to absolutely shut my mind to any trend, but right now I hate this look. At my university, the big thing is to wear athletic shorts (like soccer shorts) over Capri leggings with flip flops. I hate that look too (a lot), but I dislike this one even more. It just doesn’t seem flattering to me at all, and I agree with Telly–saggy diaper.
November 17th, 2008 at 8:01 am
Very unflattering, in my opinion. I definitely won’t be wearing these!
November 17th, 2008 at 8:18 am
Imagining this look on any 60+ yr old is hysterical! Maybe they will be found at the Golden Age homes worn by 90 yr old fashionistas to camoflague the Depends!
November 17th, 2008 at 8:19 am
The waiters in the Moroccan restaurant we visited this weekend in Paris were wearing these!!
November 17th, 2008 at 8:33 am
Ugh. Hideous. One of my biggest fashion pet peeves is when the rise on my pants is even slightly too long, so this is a nightmare to me.
November 17th, 2008 at 9:08 am
I’m certain that for the young and very thin, this will be a fabulous trend. More than anything I love the title of this blog! Ha!!
November 17th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Ick! This is exactly why I refuse to re-embrace skinny jeans too. The fashion of the 80s and early 90s must NOT be allowed to make a return.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:11 am
I wrote about this trend too….I don’t think it will catch for very long though, do you? I will definitely pass on it
November 17th, 2008 at 10:23 am
I have never liked this look and it’s one of the few “fashions” that I can’t imagine warming up to ever - and that says a lot since I’m usually somewhat open even to trends I can’t completely wrap my head around initially.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:28 am
aka Rise of the Short Legs and Dumpy Arse.
I could smell this trend coming, but of course will skip it.
I have some dignity left!
November 17th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Ridiculous then, ridiculous now. I bet even Hammer himself is laughing/shuddering that these would ever (try to) be back in fashion.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Johanna says “I could smell this trend coming” which is exactly what this look implies… These pants give new meaning to “looking dumpy.”
November 17th, 2008 at 11:03 am
My late gran used to say that one could go into a grocery store in pants like that and steal quite a bit of produce without anyone noticing
November 17th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Similar to the high waist pant, I think this will look good on very few women (and men?). You need to have a very slim waist and upper body. Even if it looked good on you, how often would you wear it? Once every 2 or 3 weeks until it went out of style? I also do not like the drop crotch. So I think I will stick to the pant I have.
November 17th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
The rightmost one especially looks just like the salwars Indians wear, so I probably have a few pants like this already in my closet — so yeah could totally wear this. I don’t like the style of the ones on the left that much though.
November 17th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
I was hoping that today was April Fools Day.
November 17th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Yikes! Not a look that I like very much. MC Hammer was the first thing I thought of when I wore the pictures.
November 17th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
…several hours later and I still hear “can’t touch this” in my head……
November 17th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Go HamMER! Go HamMER!
Ah…the joys of the baggy crotch pants returns! These were great to pass out…I mean sleep in when I was in college. I don’t think I could pull them off this time [the fashion or the passing out].
November 17th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
I agree with y’all. Makes a good picture, but not a good look for most of us. Not for me.
November 17th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
hmm..I dont remember them the last time around but as Anu mentioned about the Indian salwar..i already have quite a few of these..actually with a tailored mid-thigh tunic ..it can be a interesting fusion outfit…
November 17th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
No way would I try this. I think you would have to have a fashion model figure. Any hips or stomach and those pleats would really look bad with those narrow ankles. YIKES!
November 17th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
The second and fourth looks appeal … but unembellished harem pants do NOT. And I think I’d look like a total fool in a pair. Plus my husband would divorce me.
November 17th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
What’s next? Parachute pants?
November 17th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
I vote “ridiculous”!
November 17th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Joy’s comment made me laugh out loud. Too funny! Not a look I could pull off…ever.
November 17th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
The first time these pants were in style, I had a boyfriend who pointed to a pair and told me “That’s how I would like to dress!” The relationship ended very soon after.
November 17th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
[...] pants, popularized by MC Hammer in the late 1980s, appear to be making a return. [...]
November 17th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
I blame Katie Holmes for this. These pants are very reminiscent of her baggy jeans that are scrunched and rolled at the bottom. I’ll pass on both looks. Unless you are going to a costume party or a yoga class, you should not be wearing these pants. And, well, I guess they could be worn as comfy pj’s in the privacy of your own home… but I draw the line right there : ).
November 17th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
I think, as usual, these are only for straight skinny models. I don’t even know why they would bother mass producing these. I think they can look cute and funky and fashion-forward…just not on “normal” people.
November 18th, 2008 at 12:34 am
Speaking frankly: those are quite possibly the most hideous pants I’ve seen in a looooooong time.
November 18th, 2008 at 3:21 am
While I personally don’t like this look, it is a great look for someone who is young and likes to experiment with fashion and different looks. Fashion should be fun and not taken too seriously. Last time around this style of clothing was only worn by girls with a very outgoing personality and a more outrageous style of dressing and it will be the same this time too.
November 18th, 2008 at 10:44 am
I like the second pair from the left, but I certainly wouldn’t wear them much. They would be something for when I’m in the mood for something different. When I look at the price… I would never wear them.
I would only consider these if they cost $10 or less for the few times I would wear them. I do think I could pull them off though, being an inverted triangle; however, also being short, they could not have too much volume. These pants have a certain artistic appeal to me, but they are anything but flattering.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I have to say, this is one trend you won’t catch me in, they remind me of the pants Alladin wears in the Disney cartoon! And I have to agree with Sarah, for the price, I’m not seeing how I could possibly make them worth while!
November 19th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Mirah and Anu, I’ve seen this style of pant work perfectly for ethnic Indian dress. I think that’s where it should stay. MC Hammer gets away with the look because he was a star and his moves are mind blowing. I like the idea of jodhpurs making a fringe fashion statement because they are woven, NOT pleated and the rise length is flattering. Knitted harem pants are getting lumped into my “generally and universally unflattering for anyone box” (along with maxi dresses, Crocs and Uggs). I vote ridiculous and am proud to share that I never did this look in the 80’s either. I just wouldn’t feel right wearing a nappy as a fashion statement.
November 19th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
The one on the far right would look okay if they were used as a bathing suit cover up in white or a summery fabric, but I don’t know if they’d be a staple fashion piece.
November 19th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
I think the second outfit would actually be pretty cute with boots - sort of a gaucho effect. Other than that … no.
November 24th, 2008 at 8:38 am
I love them; I prefer this style more in the summer though; very comfy and lightweight. Not sure about the winter look (having to wear tights underneath, kind of too heavy for me)
January 12th, 2009 at 7:18 am
I think it leaves more to the imagination! ultra stylish and you wont see many people with this style at the moment! STAND OUT FROM THE CROUD! Vivienne westwood and Dsquared2 are rockin this style at the moment!
January 14th, 2009 at 8:01 am
These style of pants are so comfortable!!!
I’d prefer them over jeans any day, you feel so free in them…
February 6th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
I just bought a pair from Wet Seal and I love them! they’re so comfortable. I pair them w/ kitten heels or ankle boots for a very cool effect. Im a pear shape n am very surprised at how
February 19th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
They look great on tall/slim body types and they are amazingly comfy and versatile. With some high heels and a cool fitted top they can definitely be a cool/funky alternative to more unimaginative structured pant looks. However, not everyone can/should try to pull these off.
March 9th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
If you wore guacho pants (not really a fav of mine), then don’t shy away from these pants. It’s not so much that you need the correct body type… curvy girls have the advantage actually because you can remain booty-licious even in a sagging crotch. It’s more a matter of being able to exude personal style and pull together a trendy fashion for your appropriate age.