This season reveals more and more celebrities sporting Arabic-style trousers also known as hareem pants (harem pants). On the one hand, harem pants look so edgy and chic, on the other, they can be hideous especially when matched with wrong body type. Such a controversy made us think how much celebrity power does this trend need to take off? Would it be enough to see these stars wear harem pants: Anne Hathaway, Mary-Kate Olsen, Lindsay Lohan, Jennifer Lopez, Gwen Stefani, Katie Holmes, Rachel Bilson, Naomi Campbell, Renee Zellweger and Diane Kruger?

The trend is as old as this world. We can thank French designer Paul Poiret for introducing harem pants to Western fashion in the 1920s. Since then, the garment, which is influenced by Middle Eastern Orientalism, has been a part of hundreds of collections. 

In the 1970s the trend was popularized by designer Bob Mackie and Cher. Then, there was Madonna and MC Hammer.   In the 1990s harem pants were at height of popularity and were widely incorporated in the pret-a-porter and haute couture collections of Western designers, such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Christian Lacroix, Dries van Noten, John Galliano and Alexander McQueen.

The fashion industry is trying to bring harem pants back big time this year. Spring and fall 2009 runways  were loaded with models sporting the trend. Fashion retailers are stocked up and open for business (check the links below):

Intermix has lots of them; Forever 21 draped knit pant $15.80; H&M 14.90 EUR; Victoria’s Secret $39.50; American Apparel $40; ADAM via Revolve Clothing $48;  A/X $78; Free People via Bloomingdale’s $78; FP Beach Solei via Macy’s $78; Topshop $80;  BCBG MaxAzria $88; Diesel Black Label 100 EUR; DVF $198;  Tory Burch $250; Jean Paul Gaultier via Nieman Marcus $390; MCQ by Alexander McQueen via Revolve Clothing $464; Proenza Schouler via Nieman Marcus $575;  Miss Sixty $699;  D&G via Luisa Via Roma 595 EUR.

Look for photos of CELEBRITIES inside:

We got curious about things Rihanna wears when she goes to vacation spots like Hawaii or her native Barbados. We are talking about street clothes — not beachwear.  Young, Black & Fabulous has really great Rihanna photo coverage, and we’ve linked to several photos of theirs. Check the story inside:

NEW YORK — Manhattan greeted Miley Cyrus with cold wind yesterday, so she dressed up appropriately. Cyrus combined her black crochet coat with a wide belt and bangles. Miley is in town with her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, to promote upcoming Hannah Montana: The Movie.

PHOTO CREDIT: Fame Pictures via GumGum.

LOS ANGELES, CA – We bumped into Lindsay Lohan while she was shopping in West Hollywood the other day. Lohan went beyond the boundaries of her usual style this time. She was wearing an extremely distressed Balmain jeans, white top with a cardigan and Azzedine Alaia wedges. Lindsay hid her eyes behind Diesel 0120 sunglasses (Jessica Alba also has these). It was interesting to note that acid washed jeans is making a comeback this spring.

PHOTO CREDIT: Fame Pictures via GumGum.

NEW YORK — Singer Kiely Williams of The Cheetah Girls visited Madison Square Garden the other day and enjoyed a basketball game. In the meanwhile, we enjoyed her style.

Kiely combined a black leather jacket, a floral print minidress with black leggings and burgundy Christian Louboutin heels. Kiely’s purple Louis Vuitton Speedy bag was ‘parked’ right before her.

PHOTO CREDIT: James Devaney Photography.

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NEW YORK — We spotted Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z (not pictured) on their one year wedding anniversary on Sunday. They were having lunch at Pastis Restaurant in meatpacking district.

Beyonce looked casual but chic in her matching burgundy jacket, suspenders and bracelets. We liked Beyonce’s thick Grey Ant ‘Status’ wayfarers, a plaid shirt by Dsquared2 and BlueNotch jeans. eLUXURY offers Beyonce’s plaid shirt for $545 (ouch!). There’s definitely a trend for light plaid patterns this spring. 

Beyonce also wore a pair of patent crocodile leather Yves Saint Laurent heels and carried a Dolce & Gabbana Miss Easy Way metallic Boston bag. eLuxury has it marked down to $859 from $2150.

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PHOTO CREDIT: FamePictures via GumGum; Bauer-Griffin via GumGum.

NEW YORK — Check out April 15 issue of US Weekly Magazine for this poster of Britney Spears looking very pink while campaigning for Candie’s only at Kohl’s clothing line. The poster features Britney showing her slick (photoshopped?) body in a hot pink swimsuit against the background of a giant pink cotton candy.

Below are few more photos from Britney Candie’s ad campaign.

NEW YORK — We spotted sexy supermodel Paige Butcher in the crowd at Orlando Magic vs New York Knicks basketball game at Madison Square Garden the other day.

Born in Australia, Butcher has been living in New York City since she was 18. So, one might say that the New York Knicks is her home team.

NEW YORK — We dug up these pictures of Hilary Duff filming her guest appearance on Law & Order: SVU  in Manhattan in late March. She is to appear on the show as Ashlee Walker– a rebellious and irresponsible young mother suspected of murdering her daughter. Hilary Duff has been doing a lot of work lately. There are three of her movies coming out this year, and, we heard, she just signed up for two more. 

Duff’s wardrobe on the set was casual and and included a leather jacket, True Religion jeans, a purple Juicy Couture hoodie and a brown suede boots. Hilary kept bundling up in The North Face down parka between the takes. FYI: Anjelina Jolie also used similar The North Face coat recently. Photos of Hilary Duff filming can be found inside.

Actress Katie Holmes has replaced her favorite Chloe bag with a new favorite bag. Either she is on the East coast or in Hollywood, Holmes is rarely seen without her new Coach Parker Leather Large Convertible Hippie bag. The bag can be purchased from Coach.com for $358. Here, Katie is also wearing a PRPS boyfriend jeans, white Hurley Benny Beanie hat (retails for about $26). Suri is wearing a Juicy Couture striped cardigan ($102) and Nordstrom Bella ballet shoes ($39.95). Click the photo below for larger view.

PHOTO CREDIT: Fame Pictures via GumGum.