MC Hammer and his "Hammer pants," waaaaayyy back when.

No, this article isn’t about the questionable mentalities of groupies who hang around rappers of equally questionable talent–believe it or not, but it’s been 20 years since MC Hammer‘s unparalleled single, “U Can’t Touch This,” was released January 13, 1990 and of course, the induction of harem pants into pop infamy.

Since then, MC Hammer has had a glorious rise and fall–Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em became the first rap album to sell over 10 million copies before Hammer became overexposed in the media, embroiled in some deep financial doo-doo, and criticized for the “pop rap” genre of rap that he forefronted.  Even so, MC Hammer’s still considered one of the great innovators of rap music, and has rebounded greatly with his own reality show, Hammertime, on A&E and various business and ministry works.

The “Hammer pants,” however, have not rebounded quite as well.  Baggy at the top, often with a dropped crotch, the pants taper at the ankle, so often, the wearer looks like they are wearing an odd combination of skinny jeans and a sagging pouf skirt.  Though harem pants on women have, largely, regained a degree of respectability by donning the legs of a wide range of well-respected fashionistas including Sienna Miller, Rihanna, and Heidi Klum, most men are still shying away simply in memory of the pain caused by excessive glitter flashing from MC Hammer jamming out.

Cute London boy named Marshall, photographed by Vanessa Jackman on her street style blog.

Can men pull off the harem pant? Yes, but like women, with great caution.  Generally pair it with something minimalist or skinny on top, to counter the bagginess of the crotch, or throw on a jacket (see right) about the same width as the wide panels of the pants.  If you’re too ashamed to wear such an outrageous piece of clothing in public, at least buy a pair for lounging about the house–more comfortable than jeans, more classy than sweatpants, more appropriate than your boxers, and yet you still have that nice breeze around your privates, thanks.

Ninny C.