Hi there! Whether you love barrel jeans or you’re skeptical of them, you’re in the right place. I happen to feel both ways! I was initially very skeptical of them, especially as someone who doesn’t really love trends. But, I do love jeans. So, I thought I’d finally give them a try, but only by trying them on in store one day when I was already out shopping. It turns out, I love them!
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I couldn’t believe how flattering barrel leg jeans looked! They definitely fit the saying, don’t judge a book by its cover. Don’t judge a barrel jean by its shape on the hanger. They’re obviously a very unique style of jeans, but I think it’s possible to wear them with lots of different tops and shoes, and in different seasons.
How to Style Barrel Jeans
What Is A Barrel Jean?
Okay, first of all, let’s talk about what barrel jeans, which are sometimes called horseshoe jeans, actually are. Barrel jeans are a unique style of jean that have a slight, or sometimes dramatic, curve to them. I definitely prefer a subtle barrel jean, but I actually own a pair that is a true barrel too! Either way, they tend to be a cropped length and have a bit of a tailored look to them.
Why Are Barrel Jeans Popular, are Barrel Jeans In Style, and are Barrel Jeans Here to Stay?
Barrel jeans are popular and in style because they’re versatile and flattering. They come in all different colors and widths, so you can find the right pair for your wardrobe, life, and season. When it comes to versatility, I think barrel jeans are meant for more casual occasions even though they do feel tailored. However, if you work in a casual office, you can wear these to work. I could definitely wear these to work in some of my old tech jobs. But, If you’re in a business casual office or any other more formal dress code, I’d save them for the weekend!
In general, I think barrel jeans are here to stay, but you know I always say to wear what makes you feel confident whether or not it’s considered on-trend. Here are a few barrel jeans I love!
Are Barrel Jeans Flattering?
I was surprised by just how flattering barrel jeans are! I feel like I’m always skeptical of trending pants because so many of them are just so long. While that’s great for many people, it doesn’t work for me if I don’t have them tailored or if a petite size isn’t offered. So, I was thrilled to see that barrel jeans are actually a great length right off the hanger for those of us who are petite in height. They truly make your legs look longer and you look taller in general. Some barrel jeans feel like full length jeans on me, which is totally fine – they still look great. I highly recommend trying out this style of jean if you’re 5’4 or under like me. If you’re taller, they often come in longer lengths too.
Jeans are truly such a person-by-person basis, but if you’re wondering if barrel jeans are flattering, I think they are actually universally flattering. If you’re more of rectangle, barrel jeans can help give you shape! If you’re pear shaped like me, barrel jeans are typically high waisted and they look great with pieces that flatter this shape, such as a blazer or a cropped jacket.
What to Wear With Barrel Jeans
There are full outfits below, but here are a few tips on what to wear with barrel jeans!
What Shoes to Wear with Barrel Jeans
When I purchased my barrel jeans, I tried them on with several different styles of shoes to make sure I would actually wear the jeans. Isn’t it the worst when you buy something and don’t end up reaching for it? I tried them with ballet flats, booties, loafers, and even my metallic silver mary janes to avoid that happening. I love how they look with all of these shoes. In general, because barrel jeans feel casual to me, I think adding a nicer style of shoe is one key to styling them.
Ballet Flats
Ballet flats are the perfect shoe for barrel jeans in the spring or fall because they’ll balance out your outfit. Barrel jeans have a cool, edgy vibe to them, and ballet flats can add a softer, more romantic feel to your outfit.
Suede Sneakers
These sneakers look so cute with barrel jeans because the sneakers aren’t your typical sneakers. They’re suede and so chic! I wear them with these cashmere socks in the camel color. You can see them styled below with these barrel jeans and these casual socks. Both of these socks are my most worn!
Boots or Booties
Check out this video of how I styled barrel jeans with boots and booties. The options are pretty endless when it comes to what boots you can wear with barrel jeans. I even wear knee high boots under them! Since barrel jeans have a roomy leg where knee high boots hit, you can actually wear tall boots with them too, which I love! The only thing to be aware of is to make sure your boots aren’t too short for your jeans!
Loafers
Certain loafers look good with barrel jeans. It’s honestly a case-by-case basis, but I’ve found that square toe loafers or more almond shape loafers look better than a true round toe.
What Tops to Wear with Barrel Jeans
Like most jeans, you can wear just about any top with barrel jeans. I’ve worn them with a nice sweater, a cashmere hoodie, a cardigan t-shirt, a cropped leather jacket, a blouse, and a blazer. The options are endless. I recommend tucking in your top so that the shape of the barrel jeans can shine!
Sweater
If you’re curious about what style of sweater to wear with barrel jeans, I think there are lots of options. I’ve styled mine with a crewneck sweater, a sweater hoodie, and a thick cardigan with a sleeveless sweater underneath.
Fitted Button Up or Blouse
A slim cut button up is a nice way to balance the wider leg of barrel jeans. A belt will help emphasize your waist. I also love to wear stripes to help add height! You can also wear a blouse – this silk blouse is my go-to because it looks good with everything, and it’s easy to tuck in to your jeans.
Cropped Jackets or Blazers
A cropped cut jacket or blazer is the best style outerwear for barrel jeans because it highlights the flattering part of the jeans. I’m wearing the first bomber jacket linked below.
How To Wear Barrel Jeans
Barrel jeans and a cropped leather jacket
This is one of my favorite ways to style barrel jeans. It’s edgy, practical, and chic. My jacket also comes in black leather now, and it’s gorgeous. Style with black loafers!
Barrel Jeans with a t-shirt and button up
A pair of barrel jeans matches perfectly with a fitted t-shirt because they balance each other out. One is looser and one is more fitted. I tied this linen button up around my waist both for style and utility! Wondering when to wear this outfit? I wore this to run errands on the weekend with my family, but it also works for school pick up and drop off. Basically, those occasions where comfort is the priority but you still want to feel put together.
Barrel Jeans and suede shirt jacket
This suede jacket is just short enough to work with barrel jeans, especially if you’re tall! Wear it buttoned up so it creates a more streamlined, tailored look. The jacket will make it seem like there’s more fabric to your outfit than there actually is if you wear it open with barrel jeans, especially if you’re petite in height like me. I do love to wear this jacket open with straight leg jeans though!
Barrel Jeans And Colorful Sweater
If you’re looking for a way to make your barrel jeans look a little more elevated, you can lean into a nice sweater and elegant feeling shoes. I wore this outfit to dinner with my family, but I’d also wear it to work in a casual work environment.
Barrel Jeans Monochrome Outfit For The Weekend
This outfit felt like the ultimate weekend outfit to me because my cashmere sweater is a hoodie. I linked one that looks identical here. Style this monochrome look for the weekend during the day or for a vacation. This is the exact type of outfit I wear around London in the day (if you’re packing your barrel jeans for a trip). I wore this to grab a coffee, but I’d also wear it to a brunch, lunch, day trip with friends, or a shopping day.
White Barrel Jeans For Spring And Summer (Or Any Season)
These creamy white barrel jeans are perfect for spring, summer, and fall. I would wear these with a short sleeve sweater, a button up, or a t-shirt.
Black Barrel Jeans And Button Up For Work
If you work in a casual office or any other dress code where you feel comfortable wearing barrel jeans, black denim or a dark denim wash more closely resemble trousers and are a great choice for work outfits. These options bring a more formal vibe to your jeans than lighter wash denim. I would pair them with a fun blouse. You can wear this outfit across different seasons by changing your shoes from booties to flats. You could also add a black cardigan or blazer in the colder months.
Dress Up Barrel Jeans With A Blazer
Barrel jeans look perfect with cropped blazers and some oversized blazers. If you’re a pear shape like I am, you may love blazers too. Click here to see how I styled my barrel jeans with the gray oversized blazer linked below. I made sure to wear this with pointed toe boots so my blazer didn’t make the look feel frumpy. If you’re an apple shape, you can break up your look with a cropped blazer.
Regular Blue Denim Barrel Jeans
I would treat this as your typical pair of denim and style it with pretty much whatever top you’d like. I put together a few outfit options below for a date night outfit and a daytime look. This lighter wash of denim is good for all seasons, but especially for spring or summer. It will look really nice with neutrals or fun pops of color.
Okay, thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope you found a few tips on how to style barrel jeans or an outfit idea for a pair you already own. Let me know what you think in the comments, and don’t forget to join my email list below if you’d like to hear more about style from me!
