If you’ve been shopping for jeans recently, chances are you’ve spotted barrel jeans everywhere. With their curved, relaxed leg and tapered ankle, they’re a move away from the straight, skinny and wide-leg styles we’ve become used to — and that can make them feel a little daunting at first.
But barrel jeans are actually much easier to wear than you might think.
The key is finding the right fit and thinking about the proportions and silhouette of the whole outfit. So, if you’ve bought a pair and aren’t quite sure what to wear with them — or you’re wondering whether barrel jeans are for you — here are some simple ways to style them.
What are barrel jeans?
Barrel jeans — sometimes called barrel-leg or horseshoe jeans — are typically fitted around the waist, curve out through the leg and then taper back in towards the ankle.
Some styles have a really exaggerated curved silhouette, while others are much more subtle. If you’re trying the trend for the first time, a softer barrel shape can be a great place to start.
And remember: you don’t have to wear the most exaggerated version of a trend for it to work. Finding a version that feels like you is far more important.
Create definition at the waist
One of the easiest ways to style barrel jeans is to create some definition around your waist.
Because of the volume and curved shape through the leg, tops that are tucked in or finish around the waist work particularly well. The combination of a defined waist and the fuller shape of the jeans creates a really flattering silhouette.
A fitted T-shirt, vest, bodysuit or fine knit is an easy starting point, but your top doesn’t necessarily need to be tight.
Tops with statement sleeves, puff sleeves or detailing around the shoulders can look brilliant with barrel jeans too. The added volume on your top half helps to balance the shape created by the jeans, while keeping the waist defined.
Crop tops are another great option, particularly with a higher-waisted pair of barrel jeans. You don’t necessarily need to show lots of skin — look for tops that simply meet the waistband of your jeans.
Choose jackets that finish at the waist
The same principle applies when choosing your outer layers.
Cropped jackets or jackets that finish around your natural waist work beautifully with barrel jeans because they allow you to keep that definition through the middle of the outfit.
Try a cropped denim jacket, bomber, blazer or shorter structured jacket. The shape of the jacket combined with the volume through the jeans can create a really strong silhouette without the outfit feeling overwhelming.
This is also where playing around with proportions can completely change an outfit. If something doesn’t feel quite right, look at where your top or jacket finishes in relation to the widest part of your jeans. Sometimes changing the length of just one piece is all it takes to make the outfit come together.
What shoes should you wear with barrel jeans?
Shoes can make a huge difference to how barrel jeans look.
For a casual outfit, try a daintier or slimmer trainer rather than a particularly chunky style. This creates a nice contrast with the volume of the jeans and keeps the outfit feeling balanced.
Pumps and ballet flats also work really well, especially with a pair of jeans that finishes around the ankle.
If you want to dress them up, try a pointed-toe heel. The sharp, streamlined shape of the shoe creates a great contrast against the curved silhouette of the denim.
And for something with a little more personality, try a cowboy boot. The combination of the curved barrel leg and the structured boot can make even a simple jeans-and-top outfit feel much more styled.
Dress them up
Barrel jeans don’t have to be reserved for casual outfits.
A darker denim can easily be dressed up with a fitted top or a blouse with statement sleeves. Add a pointed heel, ballet flat or pump, some jewellery and a structured bag and you’ve got an easy smart-casual outfit.
You can also play with contrast. The relaxed shape of barrel denim paired with something more feminine, fitted or structured can make an outfit feel much more interesting.
Try double denim
If you love denim, don’t be afraid to double up.
Pair your barrel jeans with a denim shirt or cropped denim jacket. You can match the denim washes for a more coordinated look or deliberately mix light and dark denim for contrast.
If you’re wearing a denim shirt, try tucking it into the jeans to define your waist. Alternatively, choose a shorter denim shirt or jacket that finishes around the waistband.
Finding the right fit
The fit of your barrel jeans can make a big difference to the overall silhouette.
Rather than choosing a pair that’s very snug around the waist, try going slightly on the bigger side. Having a little room around the waist can help the denim sit more smoothly and create a softer, more relaxed shape through the body.
Length is important too. A barrel jean that finishes around the ankle works particularly well, as it shows a little more of your shoe and helps to balance the volume through the leg.
As with any style of jeans, don’t get too caught up in the size on the label. Try different sizes, lengths and levels of volume until you find the shape that feels right on your body.
Make the trend work with your personal style
Trends are there to give us new ideas — not to completely change the way we dress.
If your style is quite classic, you might pair barrel jeans with a simple fitted knit and ballet flats. If you love feminine details, try a puff-sleeve blouse and pointed heels. If your style is more relaxed, a tucked-in tee, cropped jacket and slim trainers might feel much more like you. Or if you like something a little more dramatic, try them with statement sleeves and cowboy boots.
The best way to wear barrel jeans is the way that makes sense with the rest of your wardrobe.
And if you’ve tried them and simply don’t like them? That’s okay too. Not every trend needs a place in your wardrobe.
Need help finding your perfect pair?
Jeans can be one of the trickiest things to shop for. Two pairs labelled as the same size can fit completely differently, and small changes in the rise, length, wash and shape can completely alter how they look.
If you’re curious about barrel jeans but aren’t sure which shape to try — or you’ve got a pair hanging in your wardrobe and don’t know how to style them — a Personal Shopping or Wardrobe Revamp session can help.
Together, we can explore the shapes, proportions and outfit combinations that work for you, your lifestyle and your personal style, while making sure anything new you buy works with the clothes you already own.
Because ultimately, it’s not about wearing every new trend. It’s about discovering how to make the trends you do love work for you.
