Harem Scarem: ACT II, Scene 1

Quick -- your gut reaction:  Yes?  No?  Maybe, on a bus and truck tour of "The King & I"?

I whipped this muslin up yesterday from Simplicity 4788 (I needed a break from drafting skirts), and I must say, they look just like the pattern envelope.  I used a cotton poly sheet that doesn't have much drape, so you have to picture these in something that hangs a little better, like crepe. 

I know many of you have strong feelings about men in harem pants; in fact, I think you're more open to men in pencil skirts.

Here's what they look like before adding pleats, casing, and cord -- big.  The pattern calls for some decorative trim as well, which of course I would want to include for the full Yul Brynner effect.



One more time:



Not to be confused with...



I think these could work in a darker color and with a very preppy look on top: a formal button down shirt and rep tie...maybe a blue blazer.  And a walking cane.  And a bowler.  And Mary Poppins.  Yes, yes...I can see it now.

The real name of these, since you're dying to know, is zouave pants, named after a French army regiment in Algeria in the Nineteenth Century.  And a variation of them was even worn in the American Civil War.  History notwithstanding, they look like something you'd wear if you lived in a lamp.

But seriously, they're quite comfortable; everything between your knees and your waist has lots of breathing room, as you can imagine.  And you never have to worry about VPL.

I think this one deserves one more iteration, don't you?

Any other accessories I might add to pull this off?  I'm all ears.

And pleats.

Sing along!