When harem pants came down the runways at Chloe and Alexander McQueen for spring 2009, they somehow glided past the cartoonish pop culture associations (Barbara Eden’s Jeannie in the 1960s, MC Hammer’s gold version from the ’80s) to help define summer’s effortlessly slouchy look.

But the style is hardly effortless to pull off. In fact, next to hot pants and high-waisted trousers, harem pants might be the most daunting item of clothing to wear. They tend to make the hips, rear and thighs look larger while making legs seem shorter. So, why venture into the harem? Because these pants are a great way to mix up the predictable pieces of the season and add something daring to a wardrobe. You can make these pants look chic and flattering. It’s all a matter of balancing proportions and adding the right accessories so that the statement is bold, not “I Dream of Jeannie.”

Sky-high stilettos will eliminate the frump factor and add a seriously sexy line to the portion of the leg not enveloped in the pants. To keep the overall silhouette clean and balanced, wear something tight and minimal on top — body-skimming tanks are best for summer — tucked in or belted so the waist shows.

American Apparel, Alexis Lamontagna and Ella Moss’ harem pants are casual and can be worn with something sportier, such as a racer-back tank or a fitted V-neck T-shirt.

All of these pants have a huge cool factor because the look is so unexpected. And when it works, it has an attitude and slouch that simply says “sexy tomboy.”