Are you a fashion risk taker? Don’t worry, I’m not really either. While we often explore eye-catching fashion trends around here {90s grunge, printed pants and skorts!), I’m the first to admit I rock a pretty standard uniform day to day. So I thought it was high time to put my money where my mouth is and take a fashion risk myself! I recently attempted to put my jeans aside and give something new a good ole fashioned try…Harem Pants!

Granted, I made it a little easier on myself by selecting these stunning silk-crepe pants from Maiyet {if you recall, I introduced them to you here. I am so obsessed!}. When going outside your silohette comfort zone cut is key and Maiyet has tailoring down to an art form. You can’t really tell in these photos but these pants have amazing pleats down the front which keep them from getting totally overwhelming. Their new wool pair for fall is similar.

But let’s break down how I went about styling these beauties in a bit more detail.

I’d refer to my first look as date night chic. We’re in the midst of San Francisco’s Indian Summer and I’d rock this look on a night out on the town. If an occasion was even fancier, a long necklace, a little clutch and a red lip is all I’d need to be cocktail party ready. I love how the longer length of the silk tank tempers the harmen pant’s width. The look still feels streamlined, casual but still pretty.

When building an ensemble your secret weapon is layering. Creating looks that involve at least three pieces takes an outfit from ho-hum to wow! I turned up the sophistication level on these pants by simply tossing on a great blazer. It adds so much poilsh. I also love the color blocking effect the white gives {we all konw my love for white!}.

My blazer is Rag & Bone but I’m loving this one and this one.

Since Mondays are all about work wear, I also wanted to try to put a business spin on these pants – and I’d say the result is mixed. Because they have a dropped waist, finding a shirt that will tuck in required rolling the pants a bit – raising their hem to an unflattering length. An office-appropriate pump with an ankle strap or a taller ankle bootie would have helped alleviate that weird line. It’s certainly driving me crazy right now.

So as you can see, rocking harem pants is possible, but not exactly fool proof. I’m the first to admit that I have a leg up in styling harem pants as my legs are rather long. I would warn anyone of a bit shorter stature to proceed with caution with this style. It could quickly overwhelm a small frame. Also, heels are a must {sorry feet}. With all that volume flats will only leave you looking like you’re rocking a costume. I’m a big proponent of the ankle strap trend, but these would be seriously killer.

So what do you think? Would you trade in your standard skinnies or even your wide-legged pants for a day in a pair of Harems??

PS: Yes I have rocked my pants in real life – you can see what I wore to a wedding a few months back on Instagram right here!

original photography for apartment 34 by Aubrie Pick // styling by Erin Hiemstra // thanks Carrots SF for supplying the lovely tops!