Being on TIME (Term in the Middle East) has made me appreciate the beauty of harem pants – they’re airy, feel comfortable and are a bit like Princess Jasmine from Aladdin. They’re the yoga pants of the Middle East, albeit a more exotic and pulled-together option for those days when you want to be comfy but not sloppy. I love pulling out my harem pants (bought from a vendor in the Grand Bazaar) on days when I get sick of my usual rotation of linen pants and maxi skirts.
Called ‘qandrissa’ in Moroccan Arabic, but also known as Darija, harem pants may seem a bit intimidating to wear at first. Don’t know how to style your harem pants? Never fear, dear readers – I have created what I like to call the ‘Harem Pants Equation’ (no calculator needed). It is:
Harem pants
+
a tighter, polished top
+
one statement accessory
+
cute sandals
=
The perfect outfit!
Easy, no? Here’s the breakdown: harem pants are loose and flowy, so a tighter top balances their voluminous nature. Harem pants are also pretty casual, so a button-up kicks the outfit up a few notches. One statement accessory creates interest, but doesn’t compete with your harem pants. Of course, no ensemble that includes harem pants is complete without a pair of neutral strappy sandals
Pick a pair…
Top row, left to right: Mint: $59 – romwe.com, Yellow Print: $452 – boutique1.com, Black and White Print: $285 – stylebop.com, Pink and Red Ikat: $98 – freepeople.com
Bottom row, left to right: Multi Print: €140 – jades24.com, Tan: $62 – sheinside.com, Green: $35 – romwe.com Black: £49 – johnlewis.com
Then apply the ‘Harem Pants Equation’!
White Shirt: $58 – topshop.com, Chambray Shirt: $88 – jcrew.com, Black Shirt: $57 – missselfridge.com, Necklace: $75 – saksfifthavenue.co, Bracelet: $395 – dannijo.com, Earrings: $59 – stelladot.com, Brown Sandals: $50 – heels.com, SIlver Sandals: 80 AUD – witchery.com., Black Sandals: €58 – shopfriiscompany.
See? New and sometimes strange clothing pieces aren’t as hard to style as you think they are. With trial and error and a bit of confidence, you (yes, you) can pull off the voluminous harem pant. So embrace the exotic, grab yourself a pair of harem pants and stay fashionable, St. Olaf!
*Styleboards from Polyvore