Harem Pants | Fashion A-Z | BoF Education | The Business of Fashion | #BoFEducation (2024)

FAQs

Can harem pants be business casual? ›

Black harem pants for women could definitely be worked into a business casual look - depending on the office culture and rules, of course. While some offices may find the low crotch and relaxed fit of these airy trousers a little too loose, other companies will be just fine with this style of ankle-length trousers.

So our recommended go-to for this season is all about practicality with a good pair of sturdy cargo or flowy harem pants. Originating as military workwear, the cargo style usually means​​ hard-wearing trousers with lots of utility pockets.

Why are they called harem pants? Salvars and Shalwar are a few of the commonly used names for the pants during this time period. An essential part of everyday life, the Persian word “Salvar” actually means “pants” (Henderson). Obviously, the pants meant much more than a stylistic choice during this time period.”

Enter Paul Poiret. Poiret, whose designs were most popular from 1904-1924, would finally introduce the harem pant to the Western world, not for practical or social reasons, but for fashion alone.

Clothing that reveals too much cleavage, your back, your chest, your feet, your stomach or your underwear is not appropriate for a place of business, even in a business casual setting. Even in a business casual work environment, clothing should be pressed and never wrinkled.

Business casual ideas

Slacks or business dress pants, khakis, chinos, knee-length skirts, dark jeans without holes. Button-down shirts, sweaters, blouses, henleys or polo shirts. Knee-length or maxi dresses. Optional cardigans, blazers or sport coats (especially for the colder months)

They were originally worn by men in the Middle East and Asia as a symbol of status and wealth. Today, harem pants are worn by both men and women all over the world as a fashion statement.

Origin of the harem pants

The origin of the pants go back to ancient Persia. Here, men and women wore it as part of their traditional clothing. Later, the pants became more popular in the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire was an Islamic Empire that existed from 1299 to 1922.

However, the key difference between the two is that harem pants come with a flare that ends near the ankles while palazzos are straight near the thighs and spread thereafter. The best part about palazzos is that they are versatile and go well on both formal and casual occasions.

Other names for harem pants

Regarding their nomenclature, harem pants go by various names depending on the region and style: “genie pants”, “elephant pants”, “Aladdin pants”, “parachute pants”, “Sarouel pants”, “Thai pants”, “pantaloons”, and “bloomers”.

Is harem pants a fad? ›

Harem Pants in Western Fashion

They were popularized by Poiret in the early 20th century, and were embraced by bohemian and hippie cultures in the 1960s and 1970s. In recent years, harem pants have experienced a resurgence in popularity, thanks in part to their association with comfort, practicality, and global style.

It wasn't just Africans, Turkish or Middle-Eastern people donning harem pants. There's strong evidence to suggest that a similar style of trouser was also being worn in south-east Asia; particularly among the Hmong people of China, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. However, there were marked differences in style.

Stick to well-tailored, crisp jeans—think classic slim or straight fits, skinny jeans, and boot cuts, avoiding baggy boyfriend fits or loose, stretched out jeans. Steer clear of denim with rips, frays, raw hems, or distressing.

Critical components of a business casual dress code include: Trousers or Slacks: Business casual allows for a more diverse range of trousers or slacks instead of formal dress pants. These can include chinos, khakis, wool trousers, and, potentially, cargo pants.

Linen business casual pants offer a versatile canvas for expressing individual style and sophistication in the workplace, blending comfort with timeless elegance. Styling linen pants for a business casual environment requires a delicate balance between professionalism and personal expression.

Business casual is basically a dress code that involves wearing traditional business attire with a couple of relaxed tweaks here and there. For example, wearing khaki pants or slacks with a blouse/polo, but without a tie would be considered typically business casual.