Trending Now: Balloon Pants

If you’d ruled out ever wearing balloon pants, it might be time to rethink this – because the divisive style is back and trending in a big way for spring. While the voluminous parachute pants of the ’80s may be the first thing that springs to mind, this season’s take feels more in tune with early-20th-century designs by French couturier Paul Poiret than MC Hammer. In other words, a lot softer and less… flashy.

Inspired by traditional harem styles worn for centuries in the Middle East, balloon pants are defined by their billowy, tapered shape and tend to come in lightweight fabrics like cotton or silk. On the spring/summer 2026 runways, Alaïa embraced alluring, softly pleated styles in diaphanous silk-georgette while Altuzarra’s tailored iterations came in crisp poplin and wool for a refined take.

If you’re drawn to breezy, boho silhouettes, then waste no time adding Zimmermann’s ‘Luna’ pants to your basket. From the brand’s aptly named Kindred Spirit collection, they’re beautifully draped from burgundy silk and have asymmetric ties at the waist to create even more movement. Wear them with Chloé’s bow-detailed bodysuit, adding an oversized jacket and a kitten heel if you’re in the city, or a woven bag and strappy sandals on vacation.