While it might be hard for us to agree on a name (genie, bubble, or balloon pants), there’s one thing fashion insiders are in consensus on: These breezy, voluminous trousers are the answer to all of your summer dilemmas. Yes, shorts are an obvious choice, but if you’re looking for a sophisticated, heatwave-proof alternative—I’m talking fashion editor-level chicness—the roomy silhouette of balloon trousers is the cool, comfortable alternative, especially as temperatures continue to rise.
So, which brands are leading the sartorial race? At the forefront, we have the Parisian fashion house Alaïa. The maison made a convincing case for the architectural shape at its spring/summer 2025 presentation. Multiple models were sent down the runway with the fabric of the loose-fit pants swishing back and forth, including one of our patron saints of early trend adoption: Kendall Jenner. The distinct shape traces back to Persia and the Ottoman Empire, and over the years, some iterations have taken on an undeniable bohemian flair. For its SS25 collection, Chloé leaned into the eclectic aesthetic, incorporating lace insets, floral prints, and sheer fabrics into the designs.
Naturally, the trend is starting to pop up in stores. Helsa released a few iterations that are already quickly selling out, but there’s a host of options on Free People’s website. And ASOS offers an army of styles that come in fun prints and solids—at a fraction of the price. Now’s your moment to test out a pair of the playful, yet chic, bubble pants—no genie lamp needed.
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Alexis Bennett Parker is the Commerce Content Lead at ELLE.com. In this newly created role, she oversees all shopping-related stories online, from fashion-forward trend pieces to the most coveted beauty buys on the market right now. Alexis has worked in the publishing space for 11 years, and seven of those years have been dedicated to helping shoppers make informed purchases—no buyer’s remorse here! Before joining the team at ELLE.com, she worked in the editorial departments of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and InStyle, to name a few magazines. Not only has Alexis worked closely with several brands and tested hundreds of products over the course of her career, but she’s also won awards for her work as a shopping journalist. Namely, she was an honoree at the Pynk Magazine Gala in 2023, received the Condé Nast Commerce Content Award for Best Article by a New Hire in 2021, and was included on the Top 40 Under 40 Heir’s List in 2018.
