Fashion Elements: Pants

Essential for Fall and Winter, pants keep us warm. But they can also be an extension of our personality through colour, fabric choice and silhouettes created when worn.

Get your learn on here with pants you may not see everyday. 

Paper Bag Waisted Pants

How fun are these pants?! The waist is tied like a paper bag, hence the name, paper bag waist. Naturally they sit at the smallest part of the waist. When unbelted and laid flat, the pants look like a rectangle from top to bottom.

I recently inherited a vintage pair of Ralph Lauren paper bag waisted pants. Check out my Instagram as I wear them this Thanksgiving Monday.

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Pant example retrieved on Google Images.

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Pegged Pants

Think volume at the hips then narrows by the time it hits the hem. Perfect pants to install a side seam pocket.

Pegged pants are easily mistaken for jodhpur style pants. But, jodhpurs volume at the hips is so much more exaggerated.  I always think of pegged as the city version of the jodhpur. 

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Blumarine Spring 2014 RTW retrieved from NY Mag.

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Bell Bottom Pants

If you grew up in the 90's, you definitely owned a pair of bell bottoms. I admittedly owned several pairs. Remember the brand Silver? I loved wearing my Silver bell bottoms to school.

Characteristics that make up a true bell bottom is fitted at the waist, hips and down to the knees then flares out dramatically to the hem.

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Gareth Pugh 2013 retrieved from NY Mag.

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Cargo Pants

Cargo pants where made for utility purposes. The wearer needed to hold alot of items easily and keep them organized. must have several pockets and made from a durable material.

This version from Zara is a modern cargo pant. Do not think you can fit more than a slim phone and a lipstick in these. But who needs to hold things in your pockets when we have big purses right?

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Zara 2013 retrieved from Zara Online.

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Harem Pants

Absolutely a gypsy feel to these pants. Traditional harem pants are super full then gathered at the hem with an elastic or cuff.

Newer versions are not as full but follow the elastic cuff at the hem.  

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Pant example retrieved on Google Images.

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Palazzo Pants

Palazzo pants are fitted at the waist and hips then flares out dramatically to the hem, they are much wider than wide leg pants.  Often times can be mistaken for a long flared maxi skirt in certain angles. 

Great for showing off a small waist, but be prepared to make some attention while walking with all the extra fabric!

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Antiprima 2013 retrieved from NY Mag.

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Happy Sewing!
Written by Sheila Wong Studios