In the year 1990, one pair of pants shuffled its way into our collective consciousness to be lampooned, referenced and reimagined for decades to come: the Hammer pant. Named, of course, for rapper MC Hammer, who famously debuted the drapey, drop-crotch style in his hit music video for "U Can't Touch This," it became a ‘90s staple—and led to more than one wince-worthy photograph from the era (sorry, mom). Well folks, it’s (sort of) back for 2026.
Also known as harem, genie and—going back to their Persian origins—salwar or shalwar pants, the billowy bottoms had other major moments of Western popularity in the 1910s and 1960s, back when they were embraced as a distinctly bohemian and avant-garde style. This time around, though, we’re calling them balloon pants, and there are options even the most minimalist dresser can embrace.
