HOW TO STYLE BARREL-LEG JEANS, ACCORDING TO THE FASHION TEAM

Every season, a standout denim shape takes the fashion world by storm. SS25's main girl? Barrel-leg jeans. We've had our eye on the balloon shape since Alaïa’s AW23 runway, and from that point, we were hooked. Fast forward to spring 2025 and the barrel reign isn’t letting up, with ‘it’ girls like Hailey Bieber and Elsa Hosk embracing the curve. But there are still sceptics out there, questioning the shape's wearability. We're here to put those concerns to bed with three ways to style them, approved by our very own Fashion Team.

Barrel-leg jeans are fitted at the waist, balloon out on the legs and finish tapered at the hem – a distinctive shape that deserves to be seen. The best way to do that? An all-black palette and a fitted top. A racer-style tank and zip-up jacket are essentials that won’t pull focus from the star of the look, while mesh ballet flats add a femme element to the minimal ‘fit.

 

GET THE LOOK:
Calvin Klein 3 pack scoop neck vest top in black, £45
Mango zip through tailored jacket in black, £49.99
ARRANGE Sydney denim barrel leg jean in washed black, £65
ASOS DESIGN Lynette high vamp ballets in black mesh, £20

If you want a look that's low effort but high in style for casual days, we’ve got the formula. Start with a slouchy top – sporty polos and rugby shirts are the go-to this season – and couple it with trending trainers (anything adidas is an automatic win). Off-white denim makes for a fresh spring-ready base and feels more intentional than typical light or dark washes. Plus, the overall tonal palette makes the look feel cohesive and effortless.

 

GET THE LOOK:
AWARE long sleeve polo top in chocolate brown stripe, £28
Topshop barrel leg jean in off white, £50
Similar: PASQ faux suede long shoulder bag in tan, £21
adidas Originals Taekwondo trainers in brown and cream, £80

The unusual shape of barrel-leg jeans can make them seem daunting to style, but you should use that shape to form your outfit. Contrast the curved legs with angular details in the rest of your look. The bardot knit creates a sharp line across the décolletage, and bare shoulders offer a cool alternative to crop tops. A point-toe shoe will give the illusion of length, while a bangle stack adds extra dimension to the silhouette.

 

GET THE LOOK:
Miss Selfridge wide cuff bardot knitted jumper in cream, £35.99
ARRANGE Sydney denim barrel leg jean in 90's light wash blue, £65
ASOS DESIGN pack of 4 resin bangles in multi, £16
SEQWL Vardy sling back sandals with buckle detail in red, £18