Recycled Style Project: Harem Pants

May 20, 2009

As you may have learned from the Idiosyncratic Style Poll a couple posts back, I am a big fan of comfort in my couture and therefore  excited to see various versions of the comfy looking harem pants cropping up on runways and in stores everywhere. But these structure-less pants are definitely a tricky trend and I wanted to test drive them before even buying a cheap pair. So, I came up with a 10 minute project to make a pair of stylish harem pants from pajama pants.

Photo: G. Tjepkema | Stylist: Kristen O'Reilly | Make-Up: Taylor Byers | Model: Kate Wallace

Instructions:

1. Grab a pair of pajama pants (or yoga pants). This is your canvas so pick a color and texture you like enough to wear outside the bedroom.
2. Take some sewing elastic (perhaps leftovers from another project).
3. Cut the elastic into two pieces that fit snugly around your lower leg.
4. Make a small incision on the inside of the bottom hem of each leg.
5. Feed the elastic through the opening in your hem (tip: use a safety pin).
6. Once the elastic is through, sew the two ends together securely
7. Mend the inside of the hem where you poked your hole.
8. Do some style experiments with your new 10 minute harem pants.

Styling Tips:

1. Try pairing them with a men’s style blazer to add a little structure to the look.
2. If the pants are made from shiny materials, keep the rest matte and simple.
3. Show a little skin (even if it is just ankles and some arm length).
4. If there is an elastic band waist on the pants, be sure to conceal it when styling.
5. Heels will help give the comfy casual pants a dressier appeal.

I can’t wait to see pictures of your up-cycled pj pants and what you wear them with.
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