Rihanna cuts her hair again, is spotted at the Balmain Paris show wearing harem pants and a ‘spock ear‘ shoulder jacket.

Trends that have gone and come again include: harem pants, flannel shirts, and Ray Bans. Keep reading after the jump.

Stop. Hammer time.  I love those sequined drop-crotch pants.  These guys both looked super fablous, and were perfectly outfitted together.  So many fashion people at the Rad Hourani event, but unfortunately the Fashion Indie cam died early into the night, but we were thrilled to at least be able to catch these dudes.

See the other photos from last night on Cult

Visiting the Topshop in New York let me disappointed, it was totally not worth the extremely long wait the delayed openings created. I left thinking I’d check back when the Fall stock started coming in, and it looks like I won’t be disappointed this time. Besides the fact that there can be no delayed openings for a collection of clothing, these looks are awesome. The leopard booties, thigh high leather boots and bleached out denim dress are so tacky-chic I can’t resist. There is a strong 80’s influence, an overabundance of sequins, crop tops and harem pants. Sounds perfect for fall, Topshop you’ve won me over again.

SOURCE: Refinery 29’s Pipeline

Melissa Magsaysay of the LA Times is convinced that harem pants can be sexy – I am not.
In her article, Magsaysay states, “When harem pants came down the runways at Chloé and Alexander McQueen for spring 2009, they somehow glided past the cartoony pop culture associations (Barbara Eden’s Jeannie in the ’60s, MC Hammer’s ’80s gold) to help define summer’s effortlessly slouchy look.”

She acknowledges the fact that they are hideously unattractive, sighting that “[t]hey tend to make the hips, rear and thighs look larger while making legs seem shorter,” but then insists that we give them a try as they (her words, not mine) “are a great way to mix up the predictable pieces of the season and add something daring to a wardrobe.”

I have never understood the appeal of harem pant and I never, ever will. The name is awful and the design is even worse. A cross between a skirt and a pair of cigarette pants, the harem is made for comfort, if anything. The legs, from the knees down, are fitted, while the crotch area is loose and baggy as it it were cut to be a skirt. This style of trouser was customarily worn by Peruvian women until about 1890, when the ruler Nair-Ne-Din saw a Parisian ballet, came to his senses, and ordered all women to wear short skirts in place of these shalwar pants. Revived by MC Hammer in the 1980s, the dreadful style seems 2 legit 2 quit.

Magsaysay insists that “[y]ou can make these pants look chic and flattering — it’s all a matter of balancing proportions and adding the right accessories so the statement is bold, not ‘I Dream of Jeannie.’” Well, no offense, but it is always a matter or balancing proportions and adding the right accessories when it comes to styling.

I guess I’m just really confused as to why the piece ever ran…the accompanying images don’t do anything to convince me of the style’s allure, which they should have, but whatever – this isn’t the NY Times, so I’ll just let it go. Lets leave this style on the runway. If you really want to add something ‘daring’ to your wardrobe, please by a pair of heels from Nicholas Kirkwood instead.

SOURCE: Um, No. Harem Pants are not Sexy.

Whether you call them drop-crotch pants or harems and whether you love them or hate them, the saggy crotch is all the go for spring and well into next season. After reading an article by New York Magazine, one which basically called them horrifying  diapers, only to be worn by models, I found it necessary and proper to throw my two cents in on my current favorite trend. 

Now, I’m sure half of you already own a pair, but for those drop-crotch skeptics, i’m here to change your mind and help you with a bit of styling. I think the first step to tackle is the droopy crotch itself…no girl want’s to look like she’s packing a lil somethin’ somethin’. The easiest way to avoid this is to buy drop-crotch pants that are dressier and of higher quality. Wear a tighter fitting, more feminine top, tuck it in and throw a belt on. A dressier pant gives you an excuse to throw heels on (highly recommended) to really feminize the look. Boots work well with drop-crotch pants because they taper the pant, slimming and elongating the leg to really accentuate the pant structure. Flats and oxfords provide a very casual look, but are best left for the girls with hight on their side!

Overall, to wear drop-crotch pants well, you must exude confidence. Last week I wore a drop-crotch jumpsuit (a double whammy!) and strutted the streets like I owned them. Sure, there were a few sneers from some prissy prep tourists, but I love the look and I rocked it out. Don’t make excuses for your style.

Now that I’m done patting harem pants on the back (erm…crotch?), it’s time to share what you think! Love ‘em? Hate ‘em? How do you wear them? 

Photo: Maje Suede Harem Pants ($445) via Net-A-Porter