MC Hammer Costume
Stop! Hammer time. Recreate the ultimate 1990s pop-rap dance look.
MC Hammer is a legendary American rapper and dancer famous for his high-energy choreography and chart-topping hits like 'U Can't Touch This'. His signature look is defined by his voluminous, drop-crotch 'Hammer pants' and flashy metallic stage wear. Choosing this costume guarantees a fun, high-energy presence at any retro 90s party or Halloween event.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~15 min
- Budget
- $30–80
Try it on
See yourself as MC Hammer
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
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What you need for a MC Hammer costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete MC Hammer costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Gold Metallic Vest or Jacket
A sleeveless, shimmering gold metallic vest or a cropped, double-breasted gold jacket with a wide collar.
DIY: Take an old vest and spray paint it with flexible gold fabric paint.
Black Drop-Crotch Harem Pants
Extremely baggy black harem pants with a low, gusseted drop-crotch and tight elastic ankles.
DIY: Sew extra fabric into the inseam of oversized black sweatpants to create a draped, low-hanging crotch.
Black Mesh Shirt
A fitted black mesh or fishnet short-sleeve shirt worn underneath the open gold vest.
DIY: Wear a plain black tank top or sleeveless tee instead.
Gold Chain Necklace
A thick, chunky faux-gold rope chain necklace to lean into the classic early 90s hip-hop aesthetic.
DIY: Paint a thick plastic toy chain with metallic gold spray paint.
Dark Sunglasses
Black retro aviator or flat-top shield sunglasses.
DIY: Use any pair of dark, solid black lifestyle sunglasses you already own.
White High-Top Sneakers
Clean, classic white high-top athletic sneakers with white laces.
DIY: Any clean white tennis shoes or running shoes will work.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made MC Hammer costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the black mesh shirt or black tank top as your base layer.
- 2
Pull on the black drop-crotch harem pants, securing the elastic waistband at your waist and pulling the cuffs up slightly on your calves.
- 3
Layer the metallic gold vest or cropped jacket over the shirt, leaving it open to show off the mesh fabric.
- 4
Put on the clean white high-top sneakers, making sure they are laced up securely for dancing.
- 5
Drape the thick gold chain necklace around your neck.
- 6
Slide on the dark flat-top sunglasses to complete the confident stage persona.
Makeup & hair
Keep hair styled in a neat, high-top fade or a short buzz cut. No makeup is required, but a confident smile and sharp, energetic dance poses are essential.
MC Hammer for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair with a backup dancer wearing a matching neon 90s track suit or a 1990s-era pop star.
- group
- Have friends dress as a full 90s hip-hop dance crew with matching baggy pants in different metallic colors.
- kids
- A miniature version featuring shiny gold harem pants and a tiny gold vest.
- Plus size
- Harem pants are naturally loose and comfortable, offering an easy, flexible fit for all body types.
- pet
- A small dog wearing a gold metallic collar and a tiny black fabric cape styled to look like baggy pants.
Tips
- Make sure the harem pants have plenty of stretch so you can comfortably perform Hammer's signature side-glide dance moves.
- Wear breathable cotton underwear under the harem pants, as synthetic metallic fabrics can trap heat.
- Carry a small portable Bluetooth speaker to play 'U Can't Touch This' for an instant entrance cue.
- Keep the sneakers clean; use a quick wipe-down before heading out to keep the look sharp.
MC Hammer costume FAQ
- What are the pants MC Hammer wears called?
- They are called Hammer pants, which are a variation of harem pants characterized by a very low, baggy drop-crotch and tapered ankles.
- How do I make DIY Hammer pants?
- You can modify oversized black sweatpants by sewing a triangular piece of matching black fabric into the inner thigh seams to create the draped, low-hanging gusset.
- Is the MC Hammer costume comfortable for hot weather?
- Yes, because the pants are very loose and the vest is sleeveless, it is a relatively cool and breathable costume option.
Did you know? MC Hammer's iconic baggy pants were inspired by traditional harem pants he saw during his travels, which he adopted to allow maximum freedom of movement during his intense, acrobatic dance routines.