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How to Style Barrel Jeans: 5 Easy Outfits That Work

How to style barrel jeans in 5 easy steps: with cropped jackets, bombers, leather jackets, pointed shoes and tucked in shirts. Real looks with notes.

By How Do You Fashion · Updated · 3 min read

How to Style Barrel Jeans: 5 Easy Outfits That Work

Barrel jeans have a curved leg that is wide at the knee and narrow at the ankle. They look cool, but they can feel tricky to style. Here is how to style barrel jeans in 5 easy steps, with real outfits and notes on every piece.

Quick answer: Wear barrel jeans with a short or fitted top half, like a cropped jacket or tucked in shirt, and finish with pointed shoes or slim flats. This balances the wide curved leg and shows off the shape.

Step 1: Balance Them With a Cropped Jacket

Woman in a cropped embroidered jacket, white blouse, barrel jeans and pointed boots1Curved barrel jeans2Short embroidered jacket3Pointed boots
Photo: Jen Wonders on Instagram

A cropped jacket stops at the waist, so the curved shape of the jeans shows. Pointed boots make the narrow ankle look sleek.

Quick tip: Short jackets are the best match for wide jeans.

Step 2: Try a Utility Jacket With Grey Barrel Jeans

Woman in a tan utility jacket, grey top and grey barrel jeans with white shoes1Tan utility jacket2Grey washed barrel jeans
Photo: Aimee Song on Instagram

Grey barrel jeans with a tan jacket feel relaxed and easy. Light shoes keep the look fresh.

Quick tip: Washed grey denim is softer than dark blue.

Step 3: Add a Leather Jacket

Woman taking a mirror selfie in a black leather jacket and dark barrel jeans1Cropped leather jacket2Dark wash barrel jeans
Photo: Sarah Louise Blythe on Instagram

A black leather jacket gives barrel jeans a cool edge. Dark denim looks polished enough for nights out.

Quick tip: Choose a leather jacket that ends at your hips.

Step 4: Wear Them With a Bomber and Flats

Woman in a sage bomber jacket, khaki barrel jeans and pink ballet flats in a doorway1Sage bomber jacket2Khaki barrel jeans3Pink ballet flats
Photo: Lauren Elson on Instagram

Barrel jeans with ballet flats look soft and pretty. A bomber jacket keeps the outfit casual for the weekend.

Quick tip: Flats work best when the jeans end at the ankle.

Step 5: Tuck in a Crisp Shirt

Woman walking in a white shirt tucked into dark barrel jeans with pointed heels and a black bag1Tucked white shirt2Dark barrel jeans3Pointed heels
Photo: Mode d Amour on Instagram

A white shirt tucked into barrel jeans shows your waist and balances the wide leg. Pointed heels make the outfit work for the office.

Quick tip: Tucking in is the easiest way to show the barrel shape.

Mistakes to Avoid With Barrel Jeans

  • Wearing a long, loose top that hides the shape of the jeans
  • Picking chunky shoes that make the ankle look heavy
  • Buying them too long, the hem should end at the ankle
  • Pairing them with another wide piece like a big puffer and wide coat together

FAQs

What are barrel jeans?

Barrel jeans have a curved leg that is wider at the knee and narrow at the ankle, like a barrel shape.

What shoes go with barrel jeans?

Pointed boots, pointed heels, ballet flats and slim sneakers. Slim shoes show off the curved leg.

What top looks best with barrel jeans?

A cropped jacket, a fitted knit or a tucked in shirt. Keep the top half short or fitted.

Can you wear barrel jeans in winter?

Yes. Wear them with cropped jackets, leather jackets or bombers and add pointed ankle boots.

Barrel Jeans Are Easy Once You Know the Trick

Keep your top short or tucked and wear slim shoes. With these 5 easy steps, your barrel jeans will look cool every time.

More ideas: wide leg jeans outfits, how to style wide leg jeans in winter and sweater and jeans outfits.