Thread: velvet harem pants?

Say, have you ever made harems out of velvet?

Did you like the result? Do you have a pic?

I've got some darling velvet taht would look awesome in harems but I'm not sure the fabric wouldn't be too heavy and I like too much to just plunge blindly.

TIA!

Wouldn't they be *really* hot to dance in?

Sounds hot. the only harem pants I own are sheer, or satiny.

I wouldn't worry so much about "hot" as "heavy." I'd be afraid to make them in any style other than a yoked waist, because I wouldn't want that much unfitted bulk at the top, even with a drawstring instead of elastic.

ive never seen velvet ones, but i do imagine they would be really hot to dance in.

I have some burn-out velvet ones and some crushed velvet ones - both are wonderful, but best for cool weather. I haven't seen any in heavier velvet fabrics, but maybe someone else has an idea on that. :)

I don't know what the weight of the velvet is but I've seen some pretty lightweight crushed velvets that would be not too stifling and also a neat texture contast with chiffon or whatever.

I adore velvet so I was pondering velvet harem pants myself. I think I would do generous slits, though. Give me some air! :)

What if they were only part velvet, then segued into chiffon or another very light sheer somewhere down the thigh, maybe with velvet "ribbon" or ankle cuff? That could look pretty, I think, and cut weight a lot. It'd also give you opaque at the top of the pants, which at least for me is pretty nice! :)

the velvet in question is crushed, very light texture (for velvet)

I wouldn't put slits as these would be for winter class with a matching cropped top. The idea is that I could go to and from class in those pants and just throw a sweater on under my coat. We have place to change where the class is taught and I'm growing quite tired of yoga pants and those exagerated flares on my Sharifwears (plus lycra isn't the warmest to wait for the bus at minus 30... *g*)

Hmm... Maybe I'll risk it and see what happens.

Originally Posted by kemintiri

the velvet in question is crushed, very light texture (for velvet)

I wouldn't put slits as these would be for winter class with a matching cropped top. The idea is that I could go to and from class in those pants and just throw a sweater on under my coat. We have place to change where the class is taught and I'm growing quite tired of yoga pants and those exagerated flares on my Sharifwears (plus lycra isn't the warmest to wait for the bus at minus 30... *g*)

Hmm... Maybe I'll risk it and see what happens.

I've made harem pants out of a lightweight sweatshirt material for that very purpose (winter wear)! I actually wear them over my yoga pants for added protection against the cold Minnesota winters when I'm going to/from class. And then I wear them around the house as lounge pants... so comfy!

I have worn them out to the Renaissance Festival, too, under a skirt on those chillier September/October days.

I've been toying with the idea of making a pair out of some polar fleece (the kind that's on the thinner side). I'd probably never leave the couch if I did that, though... ..l;,

I've made flair pants from crushed velvet...sort of like Melos....they are super comfy to dance in and not too hot in the colder months...You can adjust the flair according to your own likes...I like mine REALLY BIG and tight at the thigh. but you could modify to suit your own likes.

Originally Posted by Anjela

I've made harem pants out of a lightweight sweatshirt material for that very purpose (winter wear)! I actually wear them over my yoga pants for added protection against the cold Minnesota winters when I'm going to/from class. And then I wear them around the house as lounge pants... so comfy!

How are harem pants from sweatshirt material different from sweatpants?

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

How are harem pants from sweatshirt material different from sweatpants?

They're big and pouffy (2-3 yards of fabric, depending on how full you like them), with elastic at the bottom. That's good for winter wear so the pant hems don't drag in the snow. I can just tuck the elastic casing part of the pants into my boots very easily.

I make mine with a yoke at the top, so the bulk of the gathered fabric is not around the waist (like you usually see with sweatpants), but at the hips.

ETA: I guess there are sweatpants that have elastic at the bottoms, but I don't buy those because they are not flattering on anybody or suitable to be worn out of the house! Not that harem pants are particularly flattering on most people, either, but at least they have the excuse of being dancewear. :Abiggrin:

Originally Posted by Anjela

ETA: I guess there are sweatpants that have elastic at the bottoms, but I don't buy those because they are not flattering on anybody or suitable to be worn out of the house! Not that harem pants are particularly flattering on most people, either, but at least they have the excuse of being dancewear. :Abiggrin:

Yes, that style is still common in the men's department, but not so much in the women's anymore. I hate to say it, but I think I would prefer to see a student wear men's sweatpants instead the harem pants you are describing because I think it would be easier to see what they are doing without the extra bulk. Unless you are an experienced dancer, I don't think voluminous clothing of any kind (skirts or pants) are a good idea in the classroom. It's too easy to obscure bad mechanics with all that fabric. Personally, I'd almost rather see beginners in leotards in class, but I don't think that's going to happen.

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

Yes, that style is still common in the men's department, but not so much in the women's anymore. I hate to say it, but I think I would prefer to see a student wear men's sweatpants instead the harem pants you are describing because I think it would be easier to see what they are doing without the extra bulk. Unless you are an experienced dancer, I don't think voluminous clothing of any kind (skirts or pants) are a good idea in the classroom. It's too easy to obscure bad mechanics with all that fabric. Personally, I'd almost rather see beginners in leotards in class, but I don't think that's going to happen.

Ah! I didn't know we were talking about beginners. I am embarrassed to admit that as an enthusiastic n00b I did wear harem pants to class two or three times (not the billowy tribal kind, though), but I definitely haven't done so since. My sweatpant harems are strictly for wearing to/from class as a warm outer layer. :)

I totally agree with what you are saying--I took ballet for the first time this summer, and I tried to wear shorts or leggings whenever I could, because if I was doing something screwy, I wanted my teacher to see it and correct me!

I have seen some beginner dancers wear leotards (the mesh-middle Sugar Petals kind). It seems like if the teacher wears one for teaching, the students are eager to emulate the teacher's look so they get them, too. I know I did, LOL...