It’s been over a year since Marc Jacobs showed harem pants on his Spring ’07 runway, but we’re just now spotting them in H&M and on Topshop’s website.
The latter just posted their newest trend category called, “Can’t Touch This,” (which also happens to be Vogue‘s new phrase of choice). The collection includes a pair of silky, silver pants with the baggiest crotch we’ve ever seen.
The page boasts that “harem trousers are the essential wardrobe staple this season.” Unless you’re MC Hammer and your trying to make a comeback, we beg to differ.
We’ve yet to see someone wear them off the runway, probably because unless you’re almost six feet tall with spindly legs and no hips, this style of pant might not be so flattering. Plus, you’d have to be prepared to field an army of guys serenading you with that song.
But then again, we’re often surprised at how people can make really ugly stuff like this look really cute.
Are you wearing them?
Tags: H&M, Marc Jacobs, TopShop, Vogue
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I saw a girl wear harem pants five years ago in black to a birthday dinner, and I have to say she pulled them off quite well – and she wasn’t tall or skinny or both. I liked them so much that I wanted to emulate her but never got around to actually purchasing a pair.
A friend of mine runs a store that imports clothing from India and Southeast Asia. Her and her employees have been wearing this type and similar pants for years and they all pull it off quite well.
Though I don’t think I have the guts to try them yet myself.
Oh I would! I’ld wear them in a heart beat with patent round toe pumps!
Wow, I actually happen to be wearing my “hammer pants” today. Mine are not as crotchy as the above pictured though. I really like my “hammer pants” (regardless of how much my family makes fun of me). They’re comfy and casual, but also dress up nicely. A couple of hints (to keep from looking like a penguin): ALWAYS wear a little heel if you’re 5’6 and under. . . otherwise you’ll look stout. . . and I tend to wear mine with a little blazer. . . it pulls the look together. Bonne chance!
love them
These were all over the place when I was visiting Spain in 2006. I knew they would make it here eentually. I bought a pair with an ethnic print at a thrift store about 2 weeks ago, that have a more subtle “hammer-sag” to them. I want to wear them with heeled gladiators and a tank once it really warms up.
Also, random question. What aspect ratio is needed to for the avatars on this site?
i’m 5’3 and on the scrawny side. i love hammer pants, mcdroopy pants to an unhealthy extreme. they’re fun and if i look ridiculous, that’s ok too!
I’m sorry, but even the skinniest lankyest fashionista would look like she’s wearing a glorified soggy diaper in those… sticking a bow on the front doesn’t take a way from that oversized loose, “what are you hiding in there” crotch….
ew god no.
unfortunately, as much as i am all for daring fashion, this is a look that should never have come about, much less resurrected.
dare i say it? unless you’re a merchant selling wares in a eurasian bazaar, you should not even contemplate wearing these pants. Sorry, MC.
Oh no, i would¬¥nt wear it… but sometimes i liked it at other girls… :-)
kijjalyn: I saw them in Spain a few years ago also, as well as the most hideous renditions of the mullet I have ever seen. I actually kind of like the pants…but I pray that those mullets never make it over here.
I like Rihanna’s version. Not as dramatic as your picture: http://buzznet-00.vo.llnwd.net/media/jj1/2008/03/rihanna-2008-kids-choice-awards/rihanna-2008-kids-choice-awards-09.jpg
It seems to be popular in London as well.
http://www.julib.com/london/hammertime032508LO_email.html
I saw a girl in the art building at my school wearing a pair of these a couple of weeks ago. they looked pretty good on her.
however, I could never pull them off, and I don’t think I would ever want to!
Do they come with a matching scrunchie?
I think the fashion industry leaders may be trying to play a joke on us. These have to be a joke, right?!?
It all depends on how you style it, and, of course, if you can ‘own’ the look or not. Catherine Malandrino has her hand on the trend as well. Check out Catherine Malandrino’s version on http://www.DesignerLaundry.com.
http://www.designerlaundry.com/product_details.php?id=950
the particular version you posted is going to make every girl look like she has a penis… but when the hammer-style is a little more subtle, they look great on girls who don’t have spindly legs as they are tight around the hips but loose in the bum and leg. i wear my thai pants all the time.
i fell in love with them when i was in italy a few years ago, i now have three pairs, everyone i know says they’re awesome, but that they’d never wear them (i’m 5’8″ and slender but not bony). i live in dublin and i’ve seen other girls wear them every now and then
I saw a lot of people in Spain wearing these and some could really pull it off but it’s not for everyone.
Harem pants can look absolutely great and it does depend on your build and choice of footwear.Wearing flats can make you look like Shazaam the genie.
I think it’s the saggy crotch of the hammer pants that are problematic. I don’t believe even the best fashionista can pull those off. But I could be wrong….
It looks to me more like the King of Siam than MC Hammer
i am wearing my brand spanking new harem pants as i write this… i bought them at H&M in SF last week.. there weren’t very many pairs available. i am not tall (5’4) nor very skinny, but they still look great.. SUPER high waist with a sash, pleated top and cuffed just above the ankle. i’ve been wearing them with a tight tee/tank, a structured jacket, and flat oxfords.
ive been seeing a lot of those kinds of pants – among the seven-ny kind of crowd. i have a pair by henrik vibskov, but im a guy.
these things are literally everywhere in europe. probably more common then skinny jeans.
I live in madrid and they sell cotton pants like this on the street for a few euro
i like them…they’re like sweats but more chic!
Give it a go! They are super comfy…and go beautifully with brogue shoes..Life is too short not to be a fashionista..
they look pretty comfortable, i could see myself wearing them. i don’t know, for some reason they don’t seem that dramatic to me.
http://bp3.blogger.com/_qjpwnPW4c1o/R-I7s2QgbkI/AAAAAAAADJE/Ba-ODcQqxDA/s1600-h/A-Different-Day,-Delhiweb.jpg
from the sartorialist, a little different, but i could see those pants working in a similar way. also, a friend of mine spent last summer in france and she picked up a pair of those for herself while there, except in white linen.
I got a pair when I was in Rome a little while ago, and I love them. I have short legs so I usually wear them with heels. I’ve only ever gotten compliments.
When I was is France in 2005, I saw these pants in black and was really, really tempted to buy them but my friend convinced me otherwise. I later saw an average looking girl on the subway wearing them with brown knee high rider boots and she looked so chic. I think they can work but only in black or a dark colour. I regret not buying them!
i saw these all over Hong Kong about 4 or 5 years ago, although the girls there stuck with cotton versions and solid colors. none of those bows or anything. it looked quite good on most of them, but then again, most of the women in Hong Kong are teensy tiny…
umm no.
the guys from the dior homme runway looked pretty good in these too.
http://men.style.com/slideshows/mens/fashionshows/F2007MEN/CDMEN/RUNWAY/00200m.jpg
I bought a pair of long topshop hareem pants that button at the ankle I think around last September, I wear them all the time! usually with high heeled lace up marc jacobsesque boots
Oh for fucks sake. From now on I asm going to start getting the addresses of all the fashion editors saying these are “must-haves” for summer or whatever. that’s a vile phrase anyway. Unless your Freja Beha or Anja you will look stupid.They belong in 1990.
I have a pair and I rock them crazy. Of course, I’m currently in the Fashion Tomb, Washington, D.C., so people look at me as if I am crazy.
Jaja, I’m in DC too. . . I prefer the phrase “where fashion goes to die”. Tee hee!
I’m living in France at the moment and these were on EVERYONE in August. I however, couldn’t really bring myself to go for it.
I was just in India and bought a pair of these, white with tiny purple polka dots from Manish Arora ( http://www.manisharora.ws/).
I am definitely going to wear them around soho this spring with a white tank, jury is still out on what shoes to wear…
i rock them steady!
however i am a male, my harem pants are based on a fusion between jogging pants and long johns, by andrew buckler.
they get looks now and then from the conservative types but they are soooo comfortable.
I can’t- I wore pants like these in 11th grade (when Hammer made them the style the first time around).
they’re all over the april elle. i think i would probably wear them like guest at 6:13 posted at first and then if i like them enough, as more menswear inspired.
“Csn’t Touch Them!”
I meant “Can’t” :)