The Iconic Trousers Named After a Hotel
Sept. 3, 2024 in Fashion & Style by Charlotte Sinclair
In the 1930s, renowned couturier Jean Patou found himself regularly escaping to the sun-kissed shores of Mallorca, where he stayed at the luxurious Formentor Hotel. Nestled in a secluded bay near the town of Pollença, this stunning retreat, opened by a wealthy Argentinian just two months before the Great Depression, quickly became the epitome of opulence. With Limoges porcelain, Baccarat crystal, and hand-embroidered linens, the Formentor was a magnet for the world’s elite, even as economic turmoil claimed its owner.
It was within this glamorous setting that Patou was inspired to design a pair of lightweight, wide-legged trousers with a high waist—perfect for leisurely strolls under the Mediterranean sun. These trousers, which became a staple of vacation wardrobes, were affectionately named after the very hotel where they were born: the "Formentor." While many might recognize them today as "palazzo" pants, in Spain, you're not mistaken if you call them "Formentor."
Patou’s creation not only captured the essence of resort wear but also cemented the Formentor’s place in fashion history, linking the elegance of the hotel with the timeless appeal of these iconic trousers.
