Wearable art: why we treat a pair of pants like a canvas
Most trousers are designed to disappear. They're the quiet backdrop to a more interesting shirt, a better pair of shoes, a jacket. We've always thought that was a waste of good space. A harem pant has more fabric than almost any other garment you'll wear, with long, uninterrupted panels that move as you walk. It's a canvas, and we decided to use it.
Where we come from
The Veshti Company takes its name and its starting point from the veshti, the unstitched cloth wrapped around the waist that men across South India have worn for generations. The veshti is built for heat and ease: breathable cotton, nothing tight, nothing pinching. We wanted to carry that philosophy into clothes for modern life, for men and women, for the city and for travel.
We've been selling cotton harem pants online since 2017, making us one of the first Indian D2C labels dedicated to them. Over those years we've worked directly with weavers to develop our own fabrics and textures: the crushed finishes, crinkles and woven panels you'll find across our collections.
What is wearable art?
Wearable art is the idea that clothing can carry original artwork, not just a pattern or a logo, so the person wearing it becomes part of how the art is seen. It has a long history in fashion, from hand-painted couture to artist collaborations. For us it's simple: each design starts as an original piece of artwork and ends as something you can live in.
Inside the Wearable Art series
Our printed harem pants carry original designs: phoenix and spiral motifs, tribal masks, Spartan helmets, yin yang symbols and abstract linework. Many place a bold print down one leg against a solid, textured base, so the artwork reads like a single statement rather than a busy all-over pattern.
A few to look for:
- Fate Weaver: a tribal mask face framed by bold graphic linework.
- Mythical Mana: a Polynesian-style sun and tribal band print.
- Astral Prism: a bold Polynesian-style geometric print of triangles, bands and arcs.
- Ethereal Drift: an all-over maze of fine tribal linework.
Shop all: printed harem pants for men and printed harem pants for women.
Woven art: the Hipster Series
Not all of our art is printed. The Hipster Series uses woven hill-tribe patchwork: striped panels and multicolour woven bands set into cotton harem pants, as in the Bladebreaker. Each piece is a meeting of textile craft and an easy modern cut.
Art you can move in
The art only matters if you want to wear it. So every print sits on soft, breathable cotton, with a relaxed harem fit, elasticated waists and deep pockets. That's the promise behind #BeDressponsible: dress in a way that's kind to your body, and say something while you do it.
Frequently asked questions
What does wearable art mean?
Clothing that carries original artwork, treating the garment itself as a canvas.
Are your prints original?
Yes. Our Wearable Art prints are original designs, not stock patterns.
What are your harem pants made of?
Cotton, from fabrics we develop with weavers, including a blend with a share of Giza long-staple cotton. See What is Giza cotton?
How long has The Veshti Company been making harem pants?
We've been selling cotton harem pants online since 2017.