It's safe to say that we've already established the demise of skinny jeans over the past few years. It's hard not to see the shift. Everywhere I look, denim outfits are getting more and more relaxed, and because of it, non-skinny jeans are officially becoming the go-to style for fashion people everywhere. It's just a pattern I noticed—I promise I'm not purposefully hating on skinnies. (If you love them, do you!)
If you're a fashion-minded person and aren't reaching for skinny jeans on the daily, well, what are you reaching for? My prediction for 2024 and beyond is barrel-leg jeans. I know you're thinking, There's no way in hell that those voluminous jeans will become my go-to style, but hear me out. This new wave of non-skinny jeans isn't the ultra-baggy and shapeless style that has us all emotionally damaged. Instead, it's more of a wide, tapered fit. In other words, they're balloon jeans that actually have a shape and structure to them, so they don't forfeit looking polished. They're bubbling up for 2024, so I'm predicting they'll come to define the year, and trendsetting denim brands like Agolde and EB Denim are already behind some of the standout pairs defining the look.
I went ahead and sourced the best barrel-leg jeans on the internet right now—complete with editor and customer reviews—just in case you wanted to get in on things. Keep scrolling to shop all my favorites and get inspiration on how to style them along the way.
What to Look For
To find the shape you're looking for, plug in keywords like "balloon jeans" and "barrel jeans" to your favorite retailer's search bar. They can also sometimes be called "wide-leg tapered jeans." You'll want to look out for a shape that's fitted in the waist, flares out around the mid-leg, and then tapers in at the ankle. Take a look at the material. You'll want to make sure the denim is a high cotton count—95% or higher is going to ensure the jeans maintain their structure.
Now, shop the best barrel-leg jeans at every price point.
Best Overall Barrel-Leg Jeans: Citizens of Humanity Horseshoe Jeans
Aptly named Horseshoe Jeans, this pair is fashioned with curved, wide legs that fall slightly tapered and have cropped, frayed hems. The strategic darts at the knees and calves here are key to creating that cool barrel shape. One Saks Fifth Avenue reviewer sang their praises. They shared, "[They're] very flattering on the body and so much fun! I am usually size 28 in Levi's and bought my size. I feel like I could have even sized down one size in these."
Pros: Dramatic barrel-leg shape, high-rise fit, many color options
Con: High price point
Material: 100% cotton
Size range: 23 to 34
Color range: Seven color washes that range from light to dark blue and white and colored washes
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Best Luxury Barrel-Leg Jeans: Tibi Sid Jeans
Tibi's perpetually-sold-out Sid Jeans have editors and celebs alike in a tizzy trying to get their hands on the roomy, languid shape. As soon as editor Eliza Huber laid eyes on them in Tibi's showroom, she ran home to preorder the jeans, calling them unbelievably cool. "I had to have them," she declared. TikTok creators are big fans of the jeans too, with one user insisting they're very complementary to her body.
Pros: Slouchier shape, cool seaming detail
Con: Frequently sold out
Material: 100% cotton
Size range: 24 to 32
Color range: Four color options, including acid wash, mid-blue, black, and cream
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Best Affordable Barrel-Leg Jeans: We the Free Lucky You Mid-Rise Barrel Jeans
Our entire fashion team is salivating over these Free People jeans for their forward shape and shockingly affordable price. Thanks to my colleague Yusra's on-the-ground intel, I know they look even better IRL. At just $98, they're an excellent deal on one of the hottest denim trends of the moment, and there's no shortage of color or wash options to choose from, either.
Last summer, I purchased the mid-blue wash and loved them so much I placed an order for the cream-toned pair next. These feature a mid-rise waistline, so they sit a bit lower than the two pairs featured above, but I think it gives the jeans a more relaxed look and feel. According to reviewers (and me), the jeans run big, so size down for a more fitted look.
One Free People reviewer shared, "These jeans hit all the marks! They fit beautifully, are perfectly slouchy but not falling off my hips, and they still give a flattering shape despite how roomy they are."
Pros: Affordable price point, heavy cotton feel, button fly, wide color range
Con: Runs large
Material: 57% cotton, 43% lyocell
Size range: 24 to 33
Color range: Nine colors ranging from blue washes to white, black, and colored options
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Best High-Rise Barrel-Leg Jeans: Agolde Balloon Jeans
I was shocked by how much I liked these balloon jeans. I usually shy away from anything that will exaggerate the volume of my lower half, but the shape of this pair really blew me away. It's roomy and tapered in all the right places. I ended up going down a size from what I'm wearing in the other fits you're about to see, and it ended up being the perfect snug-waisted barrel-leg fit.
"I wasn't sure this style was for me, but I was pleasantly surprised by how well it looks on," one YouTube reviewer said. "I love everything about these jeans. It looks great with flats and sneakers. Definitely a keeper."
Pros: High-rise fit, subtle balloon shape, organic cotton that will soften over time
Cons: Runs large, limited color options
Material: 100% organic cotton
Size range: 23 to 34
Color range: Three blue washes, one white option, and one black option
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Best Celebrity-Adored Barrel-Leg Jeans: EB Denim Frederic Bowed Jeans
Celebrities beeline for the cool jeans from EB Denim, so it was only a matter of time until the brand's latest launch—a curved, bowed-leg pair called the Frederic—ended up in their closets too.
Pros: Seamed detailing, full-length hem, high-rise fit
Con: Investment price point
Material: 100% cotton
Size range: 24 to 32
Color range: Three blue washes, one metallic silver option, and one zipper-detailed option
Shop:
Shop More Barrel-Leg Jeans
If you're at all nervous about making barrel-leg jeans look polished, wearing them with a blazer is pretty fail-safe.
The shape and dark wash make these look quite polished.
This dark rinse is so chic.
The wash of these jeans is the perfect neutral hue.
This baggy fit is a total vibe.
Cool Levi's FTW.
I like how these sit on the hips for an of-the-moment silhouette.
If you're eyeing the above Tibi jeans but struggling to find them in your size or wash preference, this slouchy style from Frame is a great alternative.
Just the right amount of volume.
I haven't stopped thinking about these cutout jeans since the day I first laid eyes on them.
Such a steal.
This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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