https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 05 May 2026 10:42:18 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs/page/2#post-2412265 Tue, 05 May 2026 08:30:37 +0000 Brooklyn 2412265@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I see mostly full length and cropped wide leg, barrel and baggy jeans on younger people. Mostly skinny, straight leg and cropped wide leg jeans on older people. I don’t see flares or boot cuts much. Still plenty of leggings everywhere!</p> <p>I said on Janet’s thread that I thought there was a market saturation of barrels. I meant at retail not in real life. So many retailers seem to be pushing them. I’ve even seen buses with ads for Target or maybe KMart, saying, “yes, we have barrel jeans!!” in huge letters. It feels like a retailer push. So a bit of pushback is unsurprising.&nbsp;</p> <p>Personally, I don’t feel like barrels suit my body type. (But I’m perfectly happy for those who enjoy them!) Luckily for me they haven’t completely taken over retail like skinnies. I’m a wide leg fan. Flares too. They balance out my shape better. I also prefer full length. I just prefer long, relaxed silhouettes. Slouchy vibe. Barrels have a bit more of an architectural vibe, or a gamine vibe, which is not really me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs/page/2#post-2412261 Tue, 05 May 2026 03:41:21 +0000 Val MN 2412261@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wide legs are the most common of the three in my neck of the woods, followed by skinnies, followed by barrels/lanterns/horseshoes (which I can’t tell apart from a distance). I think they are each being worn among different fashion subcultures who are aiming for different looks. Interestingly a lot of the skinnies that I’m seeing are worn by men, and are in soft and stretchy fabrications. </p> <p>Lots of other bottoms styles are seen here besides those three, of course. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs/page/2#post-2412260 Tue, 05 May 2026 02:36:36 +0000 Lisa 2412260@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wide leg, straight, bootcut, boyfriend, athleisure, shorts, and capris are the most common bottoms I see in my area. I rarely see skinny jeans and I never see barrels, horseshoes, or cropped wide legs. I am also seeing raw or unfinished hems less and less. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs/page/2#post-2412256 Tue, 05 May 2026 01:29:10 +0000 Sal 2412256@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>To me the most dressy or elevated jean style is dark denim with minimal stitching, in any style (wide, straight, barrel, bootcut) but probably with a more tailored waist fit.&nbsp; Or cream/white denim.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs/page/2#post-2412255 Tue, 05 May 2026 01:25:01 +0000 Irina 2412255@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear full length wide leg wool pants and the same cut but cropped linen and cotton summer pants. I like that softer fabric drapes at the bottom and moves with my body. It’s with more rigid denim I struggle. Maybe I haven’t met a right for me pair.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs/page/2#post-2412249 Tue, 05 May 2026 00:53:23 +0000 Janet 2412249@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I relate to what Elena and Suz say about wide legs! I have thick hips and thighs, and I like the way wide-legs skim over them and create a long line, emphasizing the length of my legs and disguising their shape. I have to be in the right mood to wear the widest ones — they’re pretty dramatic — but I notice that the more I wear these styles, the more my eye adjusts. I also don’t mind the excess fabric unless it’s windy and/or rainy when it’s not ideal. </p> <p>Those styles feel good to me. Always have! I had a pair of wide leg trouser jeans in the 80s that I adored. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs/page/2#post-2412247 Tue, 05 May 2026 00:44:17 +0000 Suz 2412247@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Irina,</b> I like the A-line wide legs because they tend to fit me better (i.e. they are more comfortble)&nbsp; and (I think) flatter as well. I wear them cropped and full length and walk everywhere all the time and am never bothered by the fabric. I also ride my bike in them sans problem (I do have a chain guard, of course.) For footwear - -I wear everything from booties (in cold weather) to sandals (in hot.) Oxfords, loafers, Mary-Janes -- you name it -- though of course if full length I have to have them hemmed for the shoes I will mostly wear with them. Mostly I hem them so I have some options -- they will be "old" full length&nbsp; (i.e. nearly floor skimming) with some shoes and "new" full length (i.e. showing more of the shoe) with others.&nbsp;</p> <p>My A-lines are mostly quite fitted at waist and hip. (The new Levis are baggier but still relatively fitted up top.) They are loose on thighs, which is key for comfort, for me.&nbsp;</p> <p>What can I say? I feel great and confident in them. But it is so personal -- jeans especially! What fits and feels good to one will not to another.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs/page/2#post-2412246 Tue, 05 May 2026 00:43:36 +0000 elena 2412246@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Irina - it took me a while to adjust to wide legs but I’m totally on the team now. I like them because:<br /> They look good on me! I’m quite small-boned (though wider through the waist than I’d like), and short waisted with longer legs - somehow a hip skimming, not massively voluminous A line wide leg just looks right on me. I think they balance me out somehow.<br /> Like LJP, I feel stylish in them. I think they look sophisticated and cool.<br /> They’re comfortable. I don’t mind a little fabric swishing around the ankles. I do avoid the really hugely wide ones.<br /> I like how they look with little sleek sneakers (like Adidas) which is mostly what I wear these days. I like a cropped version in summer with sandals. </p> <p>Of course so much has to do with proportions - wide legs seem to be the best cut I’ve ever found for my particular proportions. And you have such a good eye for what works for you, and if they don’t work for you, they don’t. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs/page/2#post-2412245 Tue, 05 May 2026 00:40:41 +0000 Janet 2412245@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fun to see the array of responses. </p> <p>In my area of the mid Atlantic, especially in the more eclectic city environments, I see a bit of everything. Barrels are definitely in the mix, but I don’t see a lot of them on my age and older. Long wide legs, and some really baggy roomy styles, are popular on college campuses and with young people in town. Straight legs and mom jeans are out there too, as are roomy boyfriend cuts. I see some skinnies, but it seems here they are mostly on people who are styling them the same way they did years ago and really just don’t pay a lot of attention to fashion. Bootcuts are around too, for sure. Mine feel most current when I wear them with sneakers rather than heeled boots, but I’m wearing them both ways. I would maintain that a moderate bootcut remains my most flattering style. </p> <p>I’m enjoying the variety — it allows me to explore different silhouettes in tops as well as bottoms, which was hard to do when all the jeans were skinny and low rise. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs/page/2#post-2412243 Tue, 05 May 2026 00:03:33 +0000 Jaime 2412243@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So interesting! To be honest, I still see a LOT of skinnies on the street, particularly on millennial and up aged women (and men!). Younger tends to wear wide and baggy styles. I wear whatever I want (but not skinnies in a long time) but my best is a slouchy straight/boyfriend style jean. I think I saw a barrel legged jeans once . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs/page/2#post-2412240 Mon, 04 May 2026 23:51:58 +0000 Indigoprint 2412240@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I see barrels in my small town.<br /> Like LisaP a woman at our local grocery was rocking them with a boho white topper and a super cropped pixie...she looked FAB. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs/page/2#post-2412239 Mon, 04 May 2026 23:47:55 +0000 Irina 2412239@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LJP - whatever works :)<br />For me, a certain level of sophistication in an outfit comes from shoes, bags and outwear (if any worn). Also, of course, dark denim looks dressier than light wash. But I don’t see it in any particular style of jeans more than the others. Hmmm… </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs/page/2#post-2412229 Mon, 04 May 2026 23:25:38 +0000 Style Fan 2412229@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>On Saturday, we attended a music event that attracted a crowd of people around our age. The event was called a Coffee House, and the musicians played folk music from the 60s and 70s. I wore wide-legged jeans, a burnt orange cashmere sweater, cognac boots, and a wide silver cuff bracelet. I noticed many women wearing skinny jeans and straight-legged jeans. I don't think I have ever seen anyone wear barrel jeans, except me, and rarely wide-legged jeans.<br />When I was in Montreal this winter, I saw lots of wide-legged pants and some barrel pants. As Dee said, people in Montreal seem interested in fashion and like to experiment with their style.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />I love wearing wide-legged and barrel jeans. I never wore skinnies and found jean shopping in that era torture. Now, I am excited to look for jeans. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs/page/2#post-2412219 Mon, 04 May 2026 22:09:48 +0000 Suntiger 2412219@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I see basically every sort of jeans except barrels in my area. Lots of denim shorts on teens especially, but even distressed jeans are back around here. I stick to full length trouser, bootcut, and slim straights.<br /> The closest thing to barrels I'll wear is rayon harem pants. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs/page/2#post-2412218 Mon, 04 May 2026 22:07:54 +0000 LJP 2412218@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Irina - I am not into cropped wide legs at the moment even though I do own a few pair. They don't look right . &nbsp;But I recently bought a pair of full length wide legs and wore them all weekend, and LOVED them. They have movement and are quite soft &nbsp;but aren't so wide that they got in the way. &nbsp;I wouldn't be going for a walk in them but they were great for a day of running errands. I wore them with suede Sambas and a cotton sweater and quilted jacket. &nbsp;Maybe it's in my head, but I felt more elegant/sophisticated than I would in barrel or straight jeans. Relatively speaking, that is. &nbsp;This long length actually feels more modern and current than barrels to me too. I'm also diving deep into the 3 style word "system" right now and wider, longer pants fit into this .</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs#post-2412216 Mon, 04 May 2026 21:55:42 +0000 Sal 2412216@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Irina - I like this style.&nbsp; For me this is why - I have broad hips and long legs that are pretty muscular.&nbsp; This style is flattering on me as are straight leg.&nbsp; Skinnies and bootlegs that are fitted in the thigh (or calf) can be annoying on me.&nbsp; With true skinnies my calf would pull the jeans down all day and at times I could not get them to fit.</p> <p>I do walk in my jeans or wear them in the weekend, and to work. They haven't bothered me yet.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs#post-2412215 Mon, 04 May 2026 21:52:17 +0000 slim cat 2412215@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Irina - I wear A line wide leg jeans ( &nbsp;full length and slightly cropped ) - with sneakers or sandals. I have only one pair of boots and prefer sneakers to them ( my warm climate is allowing it &nbsp;;-) ) . <br />The wide leg jeans from Lucky Brand look like relaxed trouser on me - less interesting but probably with more longevity. <br />The A line wide leg jeans liberated me in some ways - less worry about fit of my underwear ( my jeans are slightly loose on me - worn with belt ), any shoes look ok with it ( partially hidden anyway ), the width balances my shoulders ( which are wider than my straight hips ) and gives me the illusion of curvier shape with some kind of waist ( I have none - lol ). My jeans came with deep pockets - really nice . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs#post-2412213 Mon, 04 May 2026 21:11:27 +0000 Irina 2412213@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m surprised how many of you like wide leg jeans. By wide leg I mean A-line, when bottom cut wider than hips. The excess of fabric on the bottom bothers me, I walk everywhere and I walk fast :)<br />I also don’t like full length wide legs with sneakers, so the choice of footwear is limited.&nbsp;<div>What do you like about wide legs?</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs#post-2412207 Mon, 04 May 2026 20:05:29 +0000 K. Period. 2412207@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, you know how much I love mine! I love them best in summer, slightly cropped, with sandals.&nbsp;</p> <p>High five to pirouette! I adore mine too. And the magic is that I have a larger waist and they look great on me too.</p> <p>Adoption of barrels feels a lot like adoption of cropped wide legs to me. I rarely saw them for years and always on fashion-forward dressers. Then I suddenly saw them everywhere.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs#post-2412206 Mon, 04 May 2026 19:53:28 +0000 Sloper 2412206@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m not out and about much lately, but have long noticed fhat anything goes in my part of Southern California. &nbsp;Still lots of skinnies, with some voluminous silhouettes - a mix of both comfort (I.e. verging on super-casual/sloppy) and styled.</p> <p>I’m team volume - on myself and others!</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs#post-2412205 Mon, 04 May 2026 19:45:01 +0000 Jenni NZ 2412205@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have only seen them in stores really, not out and about, think I only noticed them because of my knowledge from YLF. I see slim pants like I prefer for myself, wide legs, athleisure including yoga type pants, and lots of leggings. Some of the young women have amazing figures, I think they must work out a lot. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs#post-2412203 Mon, 04 May 2026 19:28:18 +0000 Sal 2412203@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It’s quite a mix here with wide leg, relaxed straights, slim straights,boyfriend, barrels and skinnies all popular. Not many bootleg or true flares. </p> <p>I like them all but find bootleg a bit hard to wear - I used to love them with a heeled boot but I don’t wear that look as much now. I don’t wear true skinnies but went out with my younger sister for a beer last week and she was in some. She still likes them.</p> <p>I am really enjoying having four pairs of jeans from slim straights, to relaxed straights, to wide leg. I haven’t got barrel leg not because I don’t like them but because I don’t need to scratch the itch as I have lots of pants as well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs#post-2412175 Mon, 04 May 2026 17:25:38 +0000 pirouette 2412175@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I absolutely love barrel jeans I have a slim waist and ankles which suit the barrel shape. I am petite size 8 European but only 5 ft 1 &nbsp;tall so I need very short lengths. I see barrel and wide leg long and cropped everywhere. Skinnies and leggings have disappeared. I found &nbsp;barrel shape hard to style with boots but now it’s spring sneakers and loafers look good with them. I have donated almost all my skinnies. I kept a few expensive ones just in case they come back in fashion.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs#post-2412174 Mon, 04 May 2026 17:22:25 +0000 Debbie 2412174@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I see a few barrels around here but mostly bootcuts and wide leg. Some straight skinnies.<br /> I personally love the wide leg pants after years of skinny jeans. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs#post-2412169 Mon, 04 May 2026 17:12:52 +0000 Angie 2412169@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>LJP </b>and others: There are Barrel. Lantern and Horseshoe silhouettes are cousins of Barrels. Ruti has been doing Lantern pants for years, to your point!&nbsp;</p> <p><b>AndiB,</b> Scotch &amp; Soda is an awesome DUTCH brand for The Netherlands. Nordies sometimes stocks them.&nbsp;</p> <p>Waist elastic barrels and lanterns are generally easier to wear because of extra waist comfort.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Star,</b> that is fascinating! Polar opposite here! I see fewer and fewer leggings on offer in stores too. Different fashion era :)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs#post-2412168 Mon, 04 May 2026 17:12:43 +0000 Ket 2412168@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have seen some barrel jeans here and there. Mostly, I see a range of wide legs, from fitted in hips to all-out baggy from waist to ankle. Very baggy versions mostly seen on those in their teens and 20s.</p> <p>I'm currently struggling in my slim straights (Eloquii Leigh jean.) They just look like generic, slightly frumpy mom jeans on me when I do WIW photos. I'm much more preferring my bootcut jeans.&nbsp;<div><br /></div><div>Have not yet tried wide leg jeans. It's a silhouette that has to be <u>just right</u> for me to wear them well, or else I just feel blocky in them.&nbsp;<br /><div><br /></div><div>Skinnies -- I loved them. I still miss them. They just were good on me and for me. GAP made a Curvy Skinny that as terrific for my body shape and fit needs. And they came in a very dark (almost black but not) warm indigo blue. &nbsp;I wore two pairs into the ground.&nbsp;</div></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs#post-2412165 Mon, 04 May 2026 17:08:32 +0000 ophelia 2412165@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've never seen barrel jeans on anyone in my area either. I see skinny jeans, some straights, and a couple of moderately wide leg jeans. Slim straight legs seem predominate. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs#post-2412164 Mon, 04 May 2026 17:07:04 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 2412164@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's an interesting analysis. I hadn't thought about it. I think I'm more likely to notice what's offered in the stores (including online) than what people on the street are actually wearing. LOL! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs#post-2412162 Mon, 04 May 2026 17:05:13 +0000 Angie 2412162@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Roberta,</b> interesting! Waist/midsection and ankle concealment has not come up with my clientele with respect to wearing barrels. </p> <p><b>Suz</b>, some explanations: <ul> <li>Petite clients have thought they aren't tall enough to wear barrels &nbsp;- which of course!!! - is NOT true. They simply need a shorter length. Once they find them - often they like them! LIKE YOU! They generally enjoy them with SHORT un-tucked tops. Find them super easy to wear in our wet weather. You rock yours!!</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Clients who are curvier on the bottom have loved the resurgence of wider silhouettes. Actually, boyish straighter bodies too! And the higher rise. Not VERY high, just higher than mid rises or a good ample mid rise. NO ONE wants to relive the low rise skinny (I'm with them!!!). Lower rises and low slung bottoms are great - like we wear - but with WIDE leg and hip silhouettes.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <ul> <li>No one wants calf-sucking silhouettes.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Slim Straights (the REAL '80s silhouette and pukka cigarette style!! Not super skinnies of the 2000's) are popular with some people. Easy to wear with volume and length on top.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Bootcuts and flares are quite popular too. Especially with people who wear lots of heeled boots! They are less popular with sneaker-wearers. The width of the flares very. Some like them very flared - others don't.</li> </ul> I wear it ALL except for super skinnies. Like you, my heart is with wide and WIDE. Just sooooo magical to wear! And now I'm loving low slung wide! &nbsp;High five! I like Relaxed Straights next because I roll the hems and boyfriend-i-fy them, IYKWIM.&nbsp;</p> <p>What is the difference between a Tailored Straight and Slim Straight? I think they might be the same!&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/barrels-vs-skinnies-vs-wide-legs#post-2412161 Mon, 04 May 2026 17:04:40 +0000 elena 2412161@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m seeing barrels around here more this year - mostly but not always pretty subtle. I like them on other people, but I find them almost comically unflattering on me. I like them best (on others) worn very casually, with a little slouch, like the lady I saw wearing muted leopard barrels with sneaks and a faded blue cropped sweatshirt. They can look very cool and artsy. I keep trying them hoping to find a magic pair that doesn’t look insane on me, maybe someday I will! </p> <p>Meanwhile, I’m all in on wide legs and so are many people I see of all ages. College kids are in wide, long, loose, baggy, and ultra-baggy jeans, in addition to sweats and athletic gear and shorts/very short skirts.<br /> I see a few people sporting skinnies. I figure some never gave them up and others maybe found them thrifting and are going for something new. I saw someone yesterday who looked straight out of like 2010 in tight skinnies, knee high boots and a long waterfall cardigan. It’s interesting - a look like that really stands out now when it was completely ubiquitous 10+ years ago. </p>