WIW: Out and about with my harem...

pants that is! After the mixed responses, I decided I love them:) So last night I unexpectedly had some free time in the evening (DS in bed and DH in the studio) and some energy! Had a play with some different toppers and have a few options to try. I do think these are going to get more wear in cool weather as I really do prefer a substantial top / jacket with them.

So today I wore them out of the house and to work at the community meal I co-ordinate. My friend and fellow volunteer came up to me mid meal and told me how awesome she thought they were (that was nice) and I caught a few glances from women when I stopped to get my morning chai that did not look overly favourable (oh well) and no readable reaction from any of the males I interacted with today, with the exception of DH who commented "oh your wearing your harem pants". I responded with "yes do you like them" and he quickly changed the subject lol.

At any rate, I like them and I am still on track to purchase the EF pair with the more mid drop crotch.

I do think a heel is the best option with these pants but I hope the pointy toe of the flats served to 'elongate' a little. The overall silhouette is what I like to refer to as "da blob" (playstation game reference). It is shapeless and certainly not conventionally flattering but I like it:)

Photos taken at the end of the day so probably looking a little haggard. I am pretty sure I work harder on Wednesdays than the other 6 days of the week put together.

Outfit:

Harem Pants
Cropped Sweater
D'Orsay Flats

I did have a play with the drape of the pants and I have altered them slightly, draping the exess fabric from right to left and pinned it. I think it works and creates a better look across the front. I will stitch it later.

Anyway, I apologise for rambling! But would love to know if you think these look better with my little alteration and more intentional styling.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts
xxx Deborah

PS. I know the pants legs look odd lengths but it is the way I am standing. I measured them :)

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26 Comments

  • AJ replied 10 years ago

    Well I haven't joined the da blob bandwagon yet, but I enjoyed reading about your day's adventure in them. That was so lovely of your friend to cheer you on.

    I do think the bit of alteration helps, but with the slight angle of your pose, it's hard to say for sure.

    I think I would also prefer the hem to be more tapered.

    Kudos to you for having fun with fashion and raising the style quotient in your area. :)

  • catgirl replied 10 years ago

    I am a sucker for this look as you know so I like it and think the alterations work nicely. But it is definitely an an acquired taste! I firmly believe in owning a look you love, and you are doing that. Yay!

  • Lyn D. replied 10 years ago

    I really like how they are looking styled Deborah.
    The pointy shoes are working well, and I am sure heels would not be practical for your Wednesday activities.
    I would say that people  noticing and not commenting does not mean a negative response either :)

  • unfrumped replied 10 years ago

    I think they look good and fun, too. I'm also interested in the styles that are more fitted at the calf/ ankle to add structure. I think the flats work-- that's important to me if I were to try some. In fact low- vamped but comfortable flats seem to be a key wardrobe staple for some of these looks, while high- vamped shoes are more reliable for foot support.

  • Parsley replied 10 years ago

    I love these on you, Deborah, and I'm so glad you decided to keep them!
    The shoes work nicely with them. I'm sure heels also look good, but practicality needs to win out sometimes.
    I second what Lyn said- no comment doesn't imply disapproval at all. I'm betting that people who saw you were admiring your avant garde style!
    (And if some people don't like them, that's perfectly OK, too!)
    You look fabulous!

  • kkards replied 10 years ago

    well i really starting to come around to this. every elegant. i like the pointed flats with this. 

  • replied 10 years ago

    Eeek, they are fab on you, and I love the new flats! I must say your new hairstyle is really bringing your look together Deborah. :D

  • replied 10 years ago

    They look good with the flats. I like your little tweak to the shape also.

  • lyn67 replied 10 years ago

    Pointy flats and that little tweak to the shape do all the work to my eyes! Artsy with a great amount of edge!

  • Jaime replied 10 years ago

    Well you won't be overly surprised to read that I love this, will you? Shoe style, harem style, sweater style - all fantastic to my eyes!

  • pil replied 10 years ago

    I love these and the shoes on you too, Deborah. And for what it's worth, I would probably be one of those people who wouldn't say anything - despite thinking they are awesome on you. A friend of mine is quite smitten with the style of a woman we see around town from time but have never formally met, and she has never said anything to her.

  • Neel replied 10 years ago

    I love it!!! Loved it without the tweak and now too! The pointy toes are just perfect with it!!

  • Joy replied 10 years ago

    These pants were made for your style and look great on you. I get a similar reaction from people when I wear my wedge metallic booties. I don't think they know what to say. No one else in my crowd wears booties...yet.

  • JAileen replied 10 years ago

    I never thought I would say this about harem pants, but I love your outfit - you look great! I also like your shoes a lot.

  • AviaMariah replied 10 years ago

    I can hardy stand how awesome these are on you.  I think you've got to expect some strange looks when you wear something unconventional like this.  It shows that you're a brave and strong woman that you're willing to wear something that is not going to be liked by everyone.  At least that's what I'd think if I saw you out and about. 

  • Hil replied 10 years ago

    I love how you've styled them here... Well done!

  • PamelaK replied 10 years ago

    From one harem pant lover to another -YLF! Absolutely great.

  • Deborah replied 10 years ago

    Thanks so much ladies.  Really appreciate your comments and very pleased that some styling and my little tweak has made a difference.

  • Day Vies replied 10 years ago

    I think the point-toe d'orsay flats work perfectly especially for a daytime look. I am not sure heels are necessary to elongate your leg with these pants I think a sleek pointed toe will do the trick every time.

  • Sarah A replied 10 years ago

    I like your little tweak. Seems to help the amount of fabric drape stay away from the diaperish territory. I would love the wear this outfit head to toe and am taking lessons on proportion from you harem experiments :) I think Claire really hit on the new haircut being spot on for your avant garde style too!

  • LACeleste replied 10 years ago

    Viva individuality and personal style!  I like the look Deborah!

  • CocoLion replied 10 years ago

    Stunning! Minimal avant garde style doesn't get any better than this.

  • mrseccentric replied 10 years ago

    yum!  just perfect and i want to copy this one too :)  i think that the shorter length of the pants, and the ss top with scoop neck showing more arm, neck, leg all works to add the perfect amount of structure to this look. The diagonal is fun but i bet 'regular' looks awesome too!

    i have to laugh - my husband has a skeevy eye towards lots of Eileen Fisher stuff (though i've tried on one EF duster in particular he thought was just great).  i think a lot of it is just the idea he's cultivated in his mind. anyways, around christmas we were over in SF, union square, and went up to the cheesecake factory in Macy's there for dinner (the view over the city is really nice and very fun with the ice skaters in teh square). on the way down i deliberately walked past/thru the EF boutique, hoping they'd have these harem pants on display:
    http://www.eileenfisher.com/Ei.....1170M/Hare

    hooray, they did! of course DH was scandalized, and i had to crack up at his reaction. He cultivates a very precise, tailored kind of italian style so all that volume is NOT on!!!  i think those harem pants are fun, not for me as i think i'd goof around too much trying to make weird shapes while i was walking in them. 

    thanks for posting and have fun all! steph

  • shoppingisfun replied 10 years ago

    I like your shoes. I am a fan of pointy flats. They are elongating. :-) My opinion on harem pants has not changed.

  • Grey Rainbow replied 10 years ago

    Love your shoes! I'm a fan of this whole look and it suits you well. Shoes do add leg length and structure as you say. And this top is my most frequent shape with my harem pants, both the extreme drop crotch and the newer more moderate one. I think the high-low adds structure and interest, and elongates the overall line. I like the volume on top when it's a little cropped and asymmetric. Very cool how you adjusted the drape too, that's really interesting! And flattering. The EF harems are all narrow on the calf, but I'd love a pair like these with more width (I do Not. have delicate ankles).

  • Debra replied 10 years ago

    You look great, I love these and you have styled them perfectly :)

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