Why Barrel-Leg Jeans Are Still Every Fashion Insider’s Silhouette Of Choice

If you’ve been obsessed with barrel-leg jeans since their debut three years ago then you’ll be pleased to know they’re still one of the hottest denim trends for spring. When it comes to our wardrobes, ‘directional’ and ‘wearable’ don’t often go hand in hand, but somehow a barrel manages just that – an evolution on the wide-legged silhouette that dethroned the skinny jean, the barrel is fitted at the waist, billowing through the leg, then segueing back into an elegant, tapered hem.

The barrel-leg cut is ideal for taking your everyday denim to the next level,” says Karen Phelps, creative director at LA-based denim brand Agolde. And therein lies the beauty of the silhouette – the considered, instantly flattering design works as well for polished day looks as dressed-up occasions and, crucially, because the cut makes its own statement, demands very little in the way of styling. Try an oversized knit and loafers, or a crisp shirt and heeled pumps.

Trust Citizens of Humanity to deliver the ultimate daywear pair – from our NET SUSTAIN edit of consciously crafted clothing, they come in faded blue denim and have a stitched detail that exaggerates the cut. Elsewhere, Agolde’s ‘Luna’ jeans – another NET SUSTAIN highlight – are made using 100% organic cotton in a classic black wash that is perfect for dressing up – “structured to perfection, they have a sort of sculptural appearance, designed with a waist-accentuating high rise and a full-length relaxed leg,” says Phelps.

Alaïa’s latest elevated iteration is a riff on the brand’s original runway design – note the back pleats that nip the style in cleanly at the waist and make these the perfect jeans to style with kitten heels and a denim jacket. Elsewhere in the lineup, Willy Chavarria’s ‘Bag Girl’ jeans would work perfectly with an oversized blazer or buttoned-up cardigan.

When it comes to choosing your jeans, seek out weighty denim that holds its shape, then consider how you’ll wear them – black and darker washes work best for evening, while a fresh white pair, or classic faded blue, will deliver endless everyday styling options. And as for the cut? How extreme you dare to go is up to you – “the ‘Horseshoe’ fit is the most exaggerated expression of the trend,” says Marianne McDonald, creative director at Citizens of Humanity. “They are effortlessly chic and endlessly versatile when it comes to styling.”

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