“M.C. Hammer!!!”…  “Look @ Aladdin”… ”She’s dressed like Babe Ruth, Homerun!” …  “Aye girl, Are you trying to join the circus???”

All of the above quotes above have been unfortunately directed to me *insert sad face* (those m’fers!) Simply because I was wearing my HAREM Pants.  For those who don’t know, Harem pants resemble the MC Hammer pants of the early 90′s except with a sexy twist, they are very loose and  baggy at the top, and get tight at the bottom.  Keep in mind I purchased these pants wayyyy before they became popular, so a lot of people did not know how to respond to them when I would wear them…I got a ton of funny looks.  Now being the person I am I don’t give a F about what people think when it comes to my fashion choices….but I didn’t know if other people were going to soon catch onto the pants. ——–> Now fast forward a couple of months….*BREAKING NEWS* The pants are now pretty popular, and are considered very fashion forward….and I can spare some dignity by not getting looked at like an alien.  YAY!!!! *Does Hammer dance across the room*

Who's that??? Well that be me. Chillin in my Harem pants.

Now its time to crack open your Fashion History Books, professor UrbanSocialite is here to teach you a brief lesson.  

In 1911 a famed Parisian fashion & costume designer, Paul Poiret, introduced the Harem Pants as part of his Orientalist collection.  The Parisian society was in awe over the Orientalism style…this style wasn’t too hot over in its native Western Asia, but anything that was worn by the Western culture was deemed as cool & fashion forward.  The word Harem in Arabic means “forbidden”, which explains why Muslim women of Arabic culture were constricted with what they were allowed to wear, and to them the loose pants worn by Western women were viewed as “liberating” and having “freedom”.  The women of the western culture began wearing the Harem style pant and they became pretty popular…but then kinda died off.  Then outta nowhere a rapper named MC Hammer wore them, and they have been re-occurring ever since.

Paul Poiret's Harem pant design....Pre-Hammer time

The Harem pants come in a wide variety of styles.  They are long stopping at the ankle, or shorter stopping right above the kneecap.  They can come in solid colors, or bold and bright prints.  They look really good when paired with a tank or a tube top, and some heels or peep-toe flats.  Add some hoop earrings, rings, and/or bracelets…and BAM, your officially 2 Legit 2 Quit!!!  You can catch edgy celebs such as M.I.A. rockin a pair of Harem Pants with a loud 80′s print all over them, or  Alicia Keys wearing a solid color pair that are more low key.  They even come in sexy jumpsuit styles, which are hot for wearing at night.  Interested in embracing the “Forbidden” Harem???   In ATL you can hit up Urban Outfitters, American Apparel, H&M, or Forever 21 for a pair.  Go ‘head and get yo Hammer on!!!

J. Hudson's harem pants with a skinny leg...for those who still aren't completley ready for the Hammer look

Leona Lewis's sexy harem jumpsuit, A+ for adding the belt & heels...Owww!

Designer Rachel Roy looks like a Goddess in her golden harem pants

Ciara keepin the urban flair with her harem pants, she added sexiness with the stilettos

“Muthafcuk the wagon…come join the band“- urbanSocialite