You’ve seen them everywhere — whether you wanted to or not. Barrel jeans are one of the newest trends to hit social media on the cyclical fashion calendar this year.
The cinched waist, balloon-legged denim beauties are definitely one of a kind… but are they for everyone? I think of the style as the older, more sophisticated denim cousin of polyester balloon pants that you see many yoga influencers wearing to their morning asana. These jeans have been the hot topic of the fashion world this summer and fall, where many folks have been outspoken about their polarizing viewpoints. Our verdict? Barrel jeans are so in — and we have a bunch of it-girl approved recommendations to get your collection started!
Barrel jeans, which are also commonly called horseshoe jeans, reject previous fashion and beauty standards. Instead of running to grab a pair of skin-tight denim pants that often take away the intrigue of an outfit, consider trying the rounder, more cozy silhouette instead.
Though the fashion gods have conditioned us to believe that tighter is better, this style aims to reject that notion. Barrel jeans reward those who seek a cozy pair of denim pants with a level of intrigue we haven’t seen since the re-emergence of the “mom jeans” silhouette, similar to “boyfriend” style pants. Baggy jeans have been in for the last few years, but barrel jeans take the best part of both worlds and have become iconic, flipping everyone’s preconceived understandings of fashion on their heads. Our opinion? Some of the world might not be ready for them, and that’s okay! What matters is that you get out of your fashion comfort zone, even if for a moment, to see what the silhouette can do for you.
Though it might seem tricky styling a pair of pants that beg you to think critically about your fashion choices when it comes to crafting the perfect outfit, the style allows you to get experimental and delve into unknown territory. Whether you want to rock a linen button down or a cropped cable knit is up to you — it’s all about understanding what works with your body! Luckily, we've got you covered with our favorites on the scene right now from Free People, FRAME, Abercrombie & Fitch, and more.
We'll keep it short and sweet — if you pay more for denim, you're almost always getting a stellar quality. Free People in particular just know how to do denim, much like their sister stores, Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters.
Investing in a solid pair of jeans allows you to stick with a durable, long lasting pair that flatters your silhouette without having to search for a replacement a year from now. It is also likely that the pricier options offer a more seamless transition from "regular" style silhouettes to the more experimental kind, which might be what you're looking for if you're apprehensive about trying something new. Without further ado, our high-end recommendations!
Sometimes, you might not want to give an arm and a leg to a fashion trend you might not love so deeply as others on the internet do. If you're nervous about styling, there's no shame in opting for a quality piece that's also affordable — that's how most of us shop!
We sifted through the hundreds of choices online to find the most affordable and quality denim finds from reputable fashion brands. You can shop those exact products below.
