There hasn’t been a jean style and silhouette in a while that has polarized the fashion world. Then came the barrel leg jean which has people feeling one way or another. And you either hate them, or love them. Sometimes called the wishbone jeans, the barrel leg jean is exactly how it sounds, jeans that barrel out.
Yes, they may look like you just hopped off a horse and your jeans got stuck that way, but I think they are a fun trend to try. If you’re feeling a little bored with your everyday straight leg jeans, this could be a fun option to add into the mix. Let’s dive into how to style barrel leg jeans and pants.
How To Style Barrel Leg Jeans
Barrel leg jeans have a bit of a horseshoe bend to them giving them their unique shape. They come in all types of styles too. From a slight barrel, to a really exaggerated horseshoe style. From light and dark wash denim, and even twill, chino style bottoms too.
I have found that styling barrel leg jeans can feel intimidating at first. The jeans are so bold and unique, you may be hesitant on putting looks together. I find that if you follow similar rules to styling straight leg jeans, you’re usually in the clear. A few of those rules include choosing more slim profile shoes like Adidas Gazelles or Sambas, dainty heels and also sock shoe style boots. And when it comes to tops, tucking things in and ensuring you have some balance to the wideness at the bottom is key.
At the end of the day, I think keeping things more simple on the top and bottom and letting the unique jean silhouette stand out is best. But you can always play with your looks with fun colors, textures and layers that feels personal to you.
What Shoes To Wear With Barrel Jeans
When choosing a shoe to wear with barrel jeans, you’ll want to probably choose something with a slim profile. Most barrel leg jeans I have seen usually hit around the ankle, similar to the straight leg jean trend. So the shoe rules are fairly similar. Slimmer profile, sock booties and so on. Here’s a few styles to try when choosing what shoes to wear with barrel jeans.
- Mary Janes and ballet flats
- Slim loafers, I’d avoid platform ones
- Slim sneakers like Adidas Gazelles or Sambas (or anything similar)
- Sock booties
- Pointed-toe heels and mules
- Strappy sandals, flat or heeled
What Tops To Wear With Barrel Jeans
Since barrel leg and horseshoe jeans are really exaggerated at the bottom half of the body, we want to counter that with slimmer silhouettes on top. This may mean fitted tops, tucked in shirts if they’re more blousy, and streamlined third pieces like blazers or moto jackets. This all depends on the severity of the barrel in your jeans too.
When thinking of tops to avoid, I’d steer clear of peplum tops, but vests that are tailored are great here. Skip the super ruffly blousey peasant tops here or you may unintentionally be mistaken for a cowgirl.
Outfit Ideas With Barrel Leg Jeans
Barrel Leg Pants For Spring And Summer
Instead of denim, try these Everlane cotton twill pull on barrel leg pants. I absolutely love them. They’re super comfortable and have such a slight barrel that doesn’t seem insane. To balance teh wider bottoms, I paired it with a fitted tank and a simple leather flip flop. This is the perfect spring and summer outfit.
For a light jacket, try adding a chore jacket or a denim jacket on top. Another option is to drape a sweater over your shoulder for a simple third piece.
The Utility Barrel Leg Pant For Fall And Winter
This is the perfect example of a slight barrel leg. These Everlane utility barrel pants in a classic olive green is an easy way to try this style without feeling like you’re wearing ridiculous pants. They are so slight you’d think they’re straight leg jeans but have a smidge of barrel bend to them.
To style these utility barrel pants, I did a slim Adidas Gazelle sneaker, and a sweater tucked in. Add a long coat for winter to complete the look and baseball cap for that added accessory that makes outfits just feel cooler and more interesting.
10 Different Types Of Jeans
Denim obsessed here if you haven’t noticed. I mean, the word indigo is in my brand name because it is in fact a nod to the indigo dye both for its color that I love and the fact that it used to give denim its signature blue color. And well, I love denim! Denim fabric
Read The Post
Off-Duty Casual Everyday Outfits With Barrel Leg Pants
Try simple yet slightly elevated tops like button front tanks or a chambray shirt tucked into your barrel pants for a more elevated everyday look. Casual flats like Mary Janes and ballet flats are the ideal shoe choice here too. For a third piece, stick to more structured or fitted pieces like this cropped and short sleeve denim jacket. A collarless lady jacket would be great here too.
I also secretly love a Canadian Tuxedo when done right. I love the mix of denim shades in this outfit, which is a totally acceptable thing to do despite common fashion rules we’ve learned in our past.
Date Night Outfit Ideas With Barrel Leg Jeans
Barrel leg jeans are a great option when heading out on the town with friends or for date night. They’re trendy and fun making them the perfect choice. Add a sexy heel or sandal and a leather jacket for an edgy and sexy combination for date night.
I also love a button up that’s undone. While I think this will only work on a slimmer barrel, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by fabric, simply tuck it in fully and add lots of gold jewelry. A strappy sandal in any color would be a fun way to complete this look.
Simple Elevated Looks For The Office with Barrel Leg Jeans
Depending on your office’s dress code, I think a barrel leg is a great choice. Try a black wash barrel jean, or dark wash denim for a more professional look. Add fitted blouses or button-downs as your shirt choice and be sure to tuck everything in and finish with a belt. Blazers and lady jackets are great additions to complete your look and add that third piece.
When choosing shoes for your barrel leg jeans, strappy sandals are great, and so are sleek loafers and ankle booties like these brown suede ones. The jeans will fall nicely over them, just like you would with a straight leg jean.
If you haven’t thought about trying barrel leg jeans or pants, I hope these outfit ideas and styling tips on how to style barrel leg jeans has you ready to jump on the trend. When in doubt, simply treat these like you would style your favorite straight leg jeans. So many of the style tips and rules apply to this jean style and you’ll be able to style the barrel leg silhouette with confidence.
