Shokatoes the Original Harem Pant

Greetings Family
On this day my love Tem made for me these beautiful AFRICAN DANCE PANTS (SHOKATOES or DABAS) for me. We love to go dancing and for that I never feel comfortable in skirts or denim or tight fitting pants so I love the harem styles but want something with more of a African heritage flavor. These pants are just the thing. These were made from an fabric made in Africa.

Shokatoes-Male dancers wear loose fitting pants called “shokatoes” or “dabas” that, like lapas, keep with African dance tradition and give the dancer freedom to move with ease and add flair to African dance movements. Females can wear them too.

It doesn’t have to fit exactly - it’s a one size fits all. In African dance all body types are accepted. In regard to the size, the Shokatoes and Dabas make dancers feel more comfortable about themselves. It gives them a sense of protection. And it makes for a great fashion statement too!

I have written about HOUSE dancing before on the blog. I love calling it an aerobic workout sport. But really it is so much fun. I like the freedom of boots and pants like these. Tem surprised me with them and I love them. I love them so much because he makes deep deep deep pockets to hold my keys and cell phone and a bit of money. The items won't fall out of my pockets. On this day we spent the day at the park. We were at veterans memorial park. This was the first time baby girl was with us and she enjoyed herself immensely.

If you are in Chicago on August 27. A flee market called the Fleek Market will be going on. Tem will be there with more of theses styles. Stop by our table if not to purchase just to say hello. The Fleek Market unlike a lot of flee markets has free entry. Thrift in Time, House of Tem and Jewellery maker Amaya will be selling our wears as a united team. Yep it will be a family affair.

WIW

Artist Made:
Shokatoes Custom Made -House of Tem (H.O.T.) Tem's House
Hand jewelry -Amaya

Thrifted:
Cold Shoulder Top
Neck Piece Garage Sale
Shoes thrifted long ago

As always Thank you for reading, lurking, commenting or all 3. But comments are always welcome.

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36 Comments

  • Angela K replied 7 years ago

    I LOVE THE PANTS!  Sorry for shouting but they are too fab not to shout--and you look totally awesome in them.  And very, very happy to boot.  :)

  • Suz replied 7 years ago

    Those pants are amazing!! And so great with the cold shoulder top. I can easily imagine how they help a person feel free to do whatever. You look wonderful in them. Rock on!

  • Barbara Diane replied 7 years ago

    Wow, so very cool. You look great and happy. How nice to have it made so all your things are securely on you.

  • Echo replied 7 years ago

    Wow, you look amazing here. I adore the pants, and the cold shoulder top is a perfect accompaniment. 

  • AviaMariah replied 7 years ago

    Those pants are so awesome.

  • skylurker replied 7 years ago

    Amazing, esp when you dance in the last pics, they must look even better when you see the print in movement. And they look so breezy and comfortable.
    Love how you styled them with cold shouldered top and big jewellery.

  • rachylou replied 7 years ago

    Gak. The pants, the architecture is pure awesome.

  • Eliza replied 7 years ago

    Swoon! Gorgeous, happy pants. And leave it to you to find a way to capture them in motion. The shape is beautiful and you look amazing in them. How comfy they must be, too. 

    Thanks for sharing. 

  • texstyle replied 7 years ago

    Wow - those are really great Ledonna, and perfect on you - bold, beautiful colors and style. Really nice that your daughter joined you two in the park - such a pretty setting and great photoshoot.

  • texstyle replied 7 years ago

    I meant to say I also appreciated the background story on this style of pants :-).

  • shedev replied 7 years ago

    The pants are awesome.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 7 years ago

    Wowee--those are beautiful pants. Tem is a talented designer; the pants look so fantastic on you, and they are gorgeous in motion. I really like the close-fitting cold-shoulder top with them--such a simple, elegant, flattering outfit! Your photos are a treat.

  • Cerinda replied 7 years ago

    Beautiful fabric. Traditional?  Comes from where in Africa?

  • Robin replied 7 years ago

    Thanks for sharing about African dance clothing. Learning new stuff is my drug of choice. :)

    Best of luck with sales at the market!:)

  • DonnaF replied 7 years ago

    Great pants, and so fab that they have deep pockets!!!  Who wants to worry about phone/keys/ID/money while dancing?  I'm amazed that you were able to score a cold shouldered top since that style is all over the stores these days.

  • columbine(erin) replied 7 years ago

    Oh, you look stunning! You really rock the cold shoulder top and pants. I loved learning about the history of the pants, too, thanks for sharing that.

  • Diana replied 7 years ago

    Those are awesome pants! I love the way they move too. 

  • Sal replied 7 years ago

    How great that Tem made them, they look awesome on you, and so practical too... The cold shoulder top is the perfect choice.

    I hope the market goes well!!

  • Angie replied 7 years ago

    Killer to the Power of Killer. Your BEST outfit of the year. 

  • catgirl replied 7 years ago

    Gosh this is so fab I don't know where to begin.  The pants remind me of the pants worn under traditional Indian outfits (salwar or churidar) and the top shows off your figure so well.  What a winning combo!

  • El Cee replied 7 years ago

    You look gorgeous. You own the cold shoulder look... and those pants are amazing.

  • Ledonna N. replied 7 years ago

    El Cee I felt amazing in them thank you

    Alaskagirl I would think that traditions are borrowed from around the world and I could see them as the Salwar or Churidar.

    Angie- Ha Ha thank you. 

    Kiwigal/Sally Thank you he always surprises me I hope the day will be beautiful as summer is winding down. 

    Diana the movement of these are so great they just feel great on. 

    Columbine  I love history and you are so welcome.

    DonnaF I thrifted a couple of Cold shoulders they are sexy in a covered up kind of way. 

    Robin Thank you and I love absorbing new information specifically if it is fashion or creative to me. 

    Cerinda Tem told me the fabric comes from West Africa he imports lots of traditional fabrics often.

    Firecracker Thank you I felt like myself in this fit.  Tem takes all my pictures and he is talented.  We are blessed to have found each other. 

    Shedev Thank you lol

    Texstyle Thank you so my Amaya is Tem's daughter and it was lovely that she could join us.  She made my wrist jewelry.  She is a very talented young lady. The Veterans Memorial park is one of my favorite places it has a man mad lake and just beautiful and well thought out scenic views.

    Eliza Happy Pants I love it.

    Rachylou Oh man you should see them in person.  Tem is making me a very sophisticated pair of overalls to match a pair of pats he has.  Oh man Oh man I cannot wait.

    Skylurker Thank you  I'm glad you could see the movement in dance.   I love love love big jewelry.

     
    AviaMaria  Pure Awesomeness

    Echo Thank you so much

    Barbara yes it is.  I don't want to carry a purse or clutch when dancing.  So these are truly perfect. 

    Suz I could see someone in a dance battle or something wearing these. 

    Angela K  Shout all you want an yeah I'm really really happy.  It is a good season.

  • cobaltblue replied 7 years ago

    Awesome!!!

  • Ledonna N. replied 7 years ago

    Thank you Colbatblue

  • replied 7 years ago

    They look gorgeous on you. I love them so much.

  • Tanya replied 7 years ago

    Oh, WOW!  Those pants are amazing, and you look absolutely gorgeous wearing them and that pretty could shoulder top.   Have fun dancing in them!

  • crazyone replied 7 years ago

    The pants are amazing! How luck my for you that you get custom couture :-). The cold shoulder top is also incredibly flattering on you.

  • Jaime replied 7 years ago

    This is one of my favorite outfits of yours ever! Wow, those pants are fabulous and fabulous on you! Wish I were in Chicago and could meet you at the Fleek!

  • Brooklyn replied 7 years ago

    They are brilliant. Beautiful pants and practical too. Love the pockets for dancing. You look gorgeous!

  • anchie replied 7 years ago

    Amazing pants and the whole outfit looks very playful. 

  • Ledonna N. replied 7 years ago

    Sterling thank you so much

    Tanya I cannot wait to go dancing I'm them.

    Crazyone I'm loving the look of the cold shoulder

    Shevia wow thank you

    Brooklyn oh I love sturdy pockets

    Anchie thank you it is a playful and elegant thing.

  • replied 7 years ago

    Those are amazing! Tem is fab for making you those. And being a sewist I'm looking at the photos working out in my head how I think they may have been cut and sewn ;)

  • Ledonna N. replied 7 years ago

    Diane G. Thank you I will let Tem know. He told me he used one whole pice of the black cotton and then inset the panels on the side if that helps any.

  • avicennia replied 7 years ago

    What a wonderful partner to make you custom made clothes!

  • Amy in NC replied 7 years ago

    I hardly ever post, but that outfit - and the confidence you exude wearing it - is EVERYTHING.

  • Lyn D. replied 7 years ago

    My choir performed with an African group earlier this year, and their outfits were the star of the show!
    Especially the feathers on the back that danced their own dance as the performers moved.
    Yours remind me of the joy that everyone felt just watching :)

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