Poiret-Inspired Outfit, and a Tip to Make Your Waist Look Smaller!

If you've been following my blog the past week, you've noticed that I have done a couple posts on early 1900s Orientalism and the designer Poiret.

This whole research journey began with the fact that I don't own any vintage-style trousers, but I did have some Kenyan-Indian "harem pants" in my closet.

I remembered seeing some "exotic" outfits of stars in decades past with these types of trousers and Middle Eastern accessories like bangles and headscarves, but I wasn't sure how officially vintage-accurate that was.  Thus, I did a bit of research.  It is indeed quite accurate!  Harem pants aren't a new style at all; they go back to the early 1900s (in the West, that is).  Poiret introduced them to the West and scandalized the hemisphere with trousers.... for women!  Here's to you, Poiret!  I salute your boldness by wearing my own baggy trousers!

I was delightfully surprised, for I just added a few new pairs of trousers to my vintage wardrobe options!  Woohoo!  I created this outfit (though, admittedly, there's some decade mixing with the pin curls thrown in), and I love being able to mix my Middle East love with vintage, as you are probably all aware of at this point!

I also discovered a magical formula of proportions that will do wonders in creating a tiny-looking waist:

By adding volume to the top and bottom, it creates a smaller-looking waist.  Of course, this is by no means an original finding (think lambchop sleeves, hoopskirts, "pigeon breast" shirts, etc.).  However, this is the first time I really thought about it with harem pants involved!

 

shirt: The Loft

belt: F21 maybe? Or Francesca's?

earrings and bracelet (?): Kenya

trousers: Diamond Plaza, Nairobi, Kenya (an Indian market)

scarf: Sudan