4 Ways To Wear Barrel Jeans
Barrel jeans are trending big this fall, and we are here for it! Barrel jeans are a fabulous combination of relaxed and chic. We have gotten so many questions from our clients about this silhouette of jean: what is it, how do I style it, can I pull it off?? Let’s address the last question first. YES, you can pull it off! There are so many different variations on the barrel jean out there right now (more on that below), so there truly is an option for all body types, ages, and style preferences! Let’s talk in detail about barrel jeans and look at 4 ways to wear barrel jeans!
What Are Barrel Jeans?
The term barrel (or balloon) jeans refers to jeans that are fitted at the waist, tapered at the base, and feature a bow-like relaxed fit from the hips through the ankles. Just how relaxed and/or bow-like the barrel jeans are can vary from silhouette to silhouette. There are certain characteristics that distinguish a barrel jean from a wide leg or flared jean. A wide leg jean differs from a barrel jean because it tapers at the bottom. A flare leg jean is different from a barrel jean because it is fitted through the thigh and flared at the ankles.
How Do I style A Barrel Jean?
Many of us are uncomfortable with the idea of even trying a barrel jean on… Or even possibly dismissive of the idea altogether because we think we “can’t pull it off”. But ladies, please don’t write them off so fast! You might end up being pleasantly surprised with how good they look on you… Whether you are a pear, hourglass, slim, OR curvy figure, barrel jeans can be very flattering. Because remember, there are varying degrees within the barrel jean silhouette, which you will see first hand below in some of the looks we have styled. Light, medium, or dark wash… A super relaxed leg or one that’s a bit more on the tailored side… A overly pronounced bow shape or slightly more understated…
There are lots of nuances to the silhouette of a barrel jean that can be used to embrace your own personal style and flatter your particular figure. Here are a few things to think about when styling a barrel jean:
- Pair your barrel jeans with a fitted top to balance the volume of the jean leg. Try a form fitting tank, a slim fit tee, a crop top, or even a nice tailored blouse.
- Try a bodysuit an alternative to a top!
- Style your barrel jeans with a blazer and a tighter fitting tank, tee, or bodysuit for an unexpected pairing of trendy and classic.
- Have fun with the shoes! The tapered ankle on a barrel jean makes them perfect for showing off your favorite shoes, whether it be sneakers, ballet flat, or pumps!
Now that we have given you guys a few high level tips and tricks for styling barrel jeans… Let’s look at 4 ways to wear barrel jeans, curated by our team for the fall season!
4 Ways To Wear Barrel Jeans
Katie and Dana put together a few looks with their favorite barrel jeans for you guys… And while you peruse the looks, take a moment to notice just how different each pair of these barrel jeans are!
First up, Katie styled this fun look with some super trendy barrel jeans (with painters vibes) paired back to a classic blazer. She added another dimension to her look with mesh flats, another huge trend for early fall! Sidenote on the shoes: this pair is from Amazon and is super cute and comfortable… If you are looking to try the trend out while NOT breaking the bank, this pair is a great option! Now, back to the barrel jeans. Note that these particular wash went really quickly (and plus is quite summery)… But we have linked the same silhouette on the Free People website for you guys, as it is available in about a dozen different combinations of washes, distressing, no distressing, etc. that are specific to fall and winter!
Here is that same Free People silhouette above but in a different wash! Katie created a fun causal look for early fall with these fabulous jeans and her favorite vest… The fall is the perfect time to wear a vest with jeans or pants since the weather can still be quite toasty mid-day. She finished off the look with a fantastic pair of metallic mesh flats!
Two More Looks With Barrel Jeans
This look is truly the most perfect combination of trendy and classic… And how you might style your barrel jeans for a meeting, fun lunch, or even a casual work day, depending on your office environment. We found these barrel jeans in NYC at the Nordstrom Sale… Both Katie and SEB fell in love with them and scooped them up immediately! They are by Pistola and are a bit more tailored through the hips and legs. Thus, they are perfect for trying out the trend without going too crazy hah! They are also perfect for our shorter and petite clients as well!! Note that we tagged the same wash as is in the picture, as well as a darker wash that is perfect for the fall and winter.
Button-Up Shirt & Barrel Jeans Look
And here is Dana with a full-on fall look! She paired a dark wash barrel jean with a cozy striped pull over and elevated sneakers for a casual fall vibe.
Striped Pull Over & Barrel Jeans Look
We hope this post about barrel jeans was helpful and gave you some inspiration on trying the trend out! If you are looking for some personalized help embracing some of the season’s trends, contact us. We would love to help you spice up your looks for fall!
