endorsing EF harems - YouLookFab Forum

Category

General

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

endorsing EF harems

Anonymous

If any of you are sitting on the fence re: wearability and flattery of the infamous EF harems, I am here to tell you to abandon all of your fears and go for it.

I received a pair from the wonderful Ms Ummlila earlier this week, and finally summoned up the courage to try them on today. I bought an XS, and they are FANTASTIC. Easy to pull on, beautiful and drapey yet substantial-enough jersey, POCKETS, and DO NOT look like saggy baggy diaper pants. I have tried on some that do, and these absolutely don't have that look. The crotch point is not really visible - and they look almost like a really interesting longer skirt.

I haven't yet put together an outfit with them, but my first wearing will likely be with a fitted and structured blazer and drapey tank. And as high a heel as I can. I cannot get over how different they are from what I imagined, and my only regret is not getting them sooner. Once I have my fall sweater game figured out, that will be my other look. I'd also love to find the sweater the model in the finds pic is wearing - although it's not referenced on The Rack's page and I have no idea what it is.

A final note: I've gone back to lots of blonde in my hair after two miserable months of literally cringing every time I looked in the mirror. I didn't hew to the short-hair rule (either have a statement cut or statement colour - and if you can do both - even better) and boy did I learn a lesson

Eileen Fisher Harem Pant

View Info

Top Pick

11

General

45 replies

Latest reply was from Roxanna

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Lisa!! This is so cool. Do you know that I (yes, I!!!) was actually looking at these at the Rack this week as well? Seriously. Looking and wondering. And....you will never guess what I did order? YES. The EF butt-vest.

Still seriously thinking about these.

So interesting about your hair. I think you just feel more "yourself" with lighter hair and why the heck not embrace it. You look good in all the hair colours I've seen.

kkards

Veteran

Omg....if you can do it, can I?
Re hair....never heard that rule...And anyway, rules are meant to be broken anyway.

Anonymous

Suz - I have not had much wear out of my skirted leggings. That may change come fall, and now that I think about it, I think I got them toward the end of the winter season, so only wore them once or twice before it was time to pack them away for the summer. They aren't my favourite things in the world though - I didn't quite find they worked with as many tops as you would expect (or I guess tops that I had on hand) . I am actually surprised you would fit into them. The EF sizing is sooo generous as to be laughable. The skirt is longish on me, and I'm a good few inches taller than you. I'll be interested to hear what you think. I can't imagine the harems fitting you either - again , I bought an XS so they would drown you.

kkards - I made up that hair rule

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I would go for petite, I think, Lisa -- in EF. I forget what I ordered in the skirted legging. Fortunately, they can go right back if I decide I don't want to keep, so it's not a big deal.

My main concern before was the fabrication -- would it be heavy enough for our weather, if you know what I mean.

But I'm also thinking of them now as "loungewear" -- I'm considering creating a dedicated "at home wear" capsule as opposed to what I have been doing for a long time, which is wearing jeans and some sort of knit in winter, over which I try to add a third piece (and footwear) if I go out. Since I seem to prefer softness at home (and coziness, in winter) and more structure when I go out, I got to thinking, well, maybe my out-of-the-house clothes need to be different from my in-house clothes. But we'll see. It's an experiment that won't cost me unless I cut the tags too early.

Anonymous

I hear you. They aren't quite winter-heavy, and maybe that's another reason I didn't wear them much. They have a slinky, cool hand and feel, and the weight (or lack thereof) was not compatible with any of my tops . I'm not sure if you'll find them cozy enough for around- the -house wear in winter. I didn't. What do I know though ? Elizabeth seems to get a ton of wear out of hers, so .....maybe I'm out to lunch. But - we have to try these things and there is no way to know until you have them in your hot little hands . Again, looking forward to your thoughts on them. I need some fresh styling ideas.

Colette

Veteran

I'm glad they worked out. Have fun styling them, I'll be looking forward to your WIW! For a minute I thought I should try and order them, but then I woke up.

Anonymous

Colette - why not? You of all people would look hot in these! You are so tall and lean - although body shape doesn't seem to matter with these pants - they look good on all sorts of body types I'm mid-height at 5'5" (and shrinking ) but have longer legs. I think you would look beautiful in these. For those of you in the US, they are really inexpensive too, and won't break the bank if you don't end up getting a lot of wear out of them. Even with the exchange and shipping , I paid under a $100 Cdn - in the US they are about half of that:)

DonnaF

Veteran

Welcome to harem (club), Lisa!!! I am Ms. Uber Structured (too many DENIM NOT chambray shirtdresses. . .), but I love these babies! As in kinda building a wardrobe around them. I just bought (but haven't yet worn) the dresses below. The first is too short for my taste, but I think works as a tunic. With the second, I plan to gather and fasten a big chunk of fabric on the underside to give it an asymmetrical hemline and also wear it as a tunic. I am so amazed how the harems do not look bunchy at the top. And so frustrated by how much of my footwear looks cr@ppy with them.

MAX STUDIO Hanky Midi Dress

View Info

Top Pick

5

Socialite Cut Neck 3/4 Length Sleeve Dress

View Info

Top Pick

1

K2

I use the 'butt-vest' mostly for at home wear instead of gear and to wear with shorter t-shirts. I seem to have an unintentional thing for collecting casual tees it seems, so this is a good way to get some wear out of them. I feel too restricted in jeans and too exposed in leggings, so it's a happy medium. I do the same with wearing shorter sweaters in the fall. They are a bit light for outdoors in the cool weather and, on me ( I'm 5'6") I feel the skirt is a bit short for too many outdoor adventurers and for my age and body shape. I actually have the harems too and when I struggle to style, I think of them as a long skirt and that helps. Casually, I have worn with my tees knotted assymetrically. I do find With the harems, I have to be in the mood for them as they do garner a bit more attention tho. Both pieces make me happy, so I'm glad I bought them, even if I don't wear them all the time.

Anonymous

Donna - I LOVE both of those dresses. The grey one might not be so short on a less-than 6' model (i.e. the rest of us) so maybes it will work as is. I love it!

Uh, oh, am I in for a footwear surprise? I am assuming I'll do a wedge or block heeled bootie/sandal right now, and a bootie in fall. I'm not convinced I'll do a sneaker look - I don't see myself as making that look good . What did you try that was a fail?

Anonymous

Interesting K2 - I'm about your height (or I was until I started shrinking - ha) and the skirt on mine is just a fraction long for my liking . Maybe I need to get out the sewing machine and shorten it. Perhaps the size of the garment makes the difference. I can't remember what size mine is, (I don't think they are sized S, M and L ) , so maybe EF assumes big sizes go with height thus making the skirt longer on mine.

Colette

Veteran

Lisa, LOL! I'm only just over 5'4". I must have a tall and skinny mirror.

Anonymous

What? You are NOT! Alright - where is your mirror from , because I need it. When I look at your pictures I see someone with an entirely different body than mine - height and size - yet from this and another recent post, I gather we are the same size. I don't get it . Lol. It goes to show you how two people can wear the same clothing size and yet look completely different .

DonnaF

Veteran

Lisa, I don't have your gams, so believe me, the black and white dress is too short for MY bare legs. I'm going to try it with leggings which I have never ever owned in my entire life (but are on NAS order), ponte pants (also on order), and tights, of which I have plenty.

I doubt you will have a footwear surprise if I remember your footwear correctly. Due to foot issues, I own more pairs of bulky clogs and very, very heavy laced boots than should be legal. Your block heels should be fine.

Colette

Veteran

It's a huge floor mirror that I never liked, (SO talked me into it) but I think I just changed my mind. I'll stop saying I want to get rid of it now.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Oh Lisa, I'm so glad you went for it! They are great, aren't they... definitely more like a skirt than harems, in terms of styling them. Can't wait to see them on you.

Not sure I get a "ton" of wear out of my skirted leggings. More like "some". I do find them a bit light for the winter, but they are good for fall and spring. Ha, of course Halifax winters do also have warmer days... warmer than the 'Peg and Ontario, anyway! I tend to wear them for casual things like dinner with the family, book club, a movie... And I find the motto ones quite different to style than the EF ones.

El Cee

Veteran

Yay Lisa! -- I always thought that you have just what it takes to rock these harem pants. Glad you went for them. You are going to LOVE them. (I have them too… and adore them!)

Anonymous

OOOPS - big mistake on my part! I have the MOTTO skirted leggings, not the EF ones. The EF skirt is much shorter, but not asymmetric, which is the cool thing about the Mottos. Good god.

Sorry SUZ and DONNAT - for any confusion I have created not knowing what is in my own closet. !!

btw - I am in the midst of an all-weekend clothing and accessory purge. I am among piles of stuff I want to get rid of and am getting confused . Why do I have so many purses that I don't use? What do I do with them? Agh.

Anonymous

It's so fun to see harems on others. I'm not sure they're for me, but I look forward to seeing them on you.

dakotacheryl

Veteran

Welcome to the EF harem club...I love mine dearly.

K2

Ohhhh, those Motto ones are so much cooler and like others, I can't wait to see you rock the harems. For shoes, I tend to wear high vamp sandals or booties with them that are a bit edgier. They are somewhat cropped on me due to longish legs and hips ( I am much bigger than you) and don't wear heels, but I still think they look ok, so wouldn't feet too much.

Angela K

Veteran

I second dakotacheryl in welcoming you to the harem club. I totally agree that they have more of a funky skirt vibe. I love mine and I know you are going to love yours too. Can't wait to see outfit pics!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Okay then! I guess I will just have to wait and see what happens when mine arrive!!

I may send them packing.

There are no harems left in any size that would remotely be mine now, so I am sitting that one out as well. Too bad. They might have ended up as a new version of my beloved tube skirts!

Can't wait to see how you wear yours.

Colette

Veteran

Lisa, I did a huge closet purge last weekend and all the stuff is sitting in my basement. I donated some but I'd like to sell some of the better things. The consignment store in my town will only accept high end designer merchandise that is less than two years old. I have none of that. So what do I do with it? Let me know what you do with yours.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Colette, Lisa -- put some on style exchange here! I mean, assuming it's something that someone here might like.

Cococat

Veteran

I'm looking forward to seeing them on Lisa. I've always been curious. We have a local designer, Camilla Franks, who does harems in patterned silk. I have a few of her pieces but never thought I could do the harems. Now I'm starting to wonder. They seem to have a similar cut to the EF ones, looking more like a skirt.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Anonymous

Colette - I give mine away to the Salvation Army Thrift Stores . I consider it a means of paying it forward , and also assuaging my guilt over buying so much stuff . I probably give away $1000's every year - which I guess would be better spent giving them the actual money . I did the consignment route a few times several years ago but it creates more work - and by donating clothes and bags I at least feel I'm making large charitable donations every year . I live with a huge amount of guilt and shame with what I buy in the name of trying to make myself feel good - and this is how I deal with it. How's that for divulging way too much information on the Internet ?

Suz- listing things here ? Again , creates another job for me - cleaning , packing , mailing . And I don't like asking for money . I want someone else to benefit - not me .

Anonymous

Wow , Coco , those are stunning !! Can you imagine how chic they would be for entertaining at home or at the lake in the summer ?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Totally get that! I live 4 blocks from the post office and I still can't always get there. My last closet edit (in the spring) I gave 2 big bags of stuff to my stepdaughter and 2 big bags to the Goodwill.

Coco, you would look AMAZING in those harems!!

Consignment where I live is a real pain, too -- I did it a few times, but I have exactly the opposite problem to Colette. Where I live, they will not take silk, not take items cut like x, y, or z (perfectly ordinary cuts but apparently not interesting to clientele), will not take higher end items AT ALL because they don't sell, prefer stuff from the Gap to designer stuff from anywhere.

12