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Barrel Pants Advice

RobinF

Veteran

I commented on the jeans post about wanting some barrel jeans and Angie suggested I get all your advice - so here I am!

These are the ones I tried. Old Navy so not a large financial investment but I returned them anyway.

The first pic was when I tried them on. Very comfortable and I loved them. But when I started trying them with tops that I would normally wear with jeans they weren't working well at all. I would consider these primarily for winter because they were quite heavy so that is mostly what I was trying them with. Also tried various shoes, as the pictures show.

I think the more cropped/fitted tops worked better but I don't have many of those and didn't want to have to buy some just for these jeans. The larger sweaters did not work at all. I don't necessarily need these to be super flattering but JFE would be nice and I wasn't getting that. I also questioned the length. These were petite but still maybe a smidge too long? I did a small cuff in a few of the pics to try it. I also think the super light color was making me pause. I just find that harder to work with in denim.

My thoughts are that maybe a softer, less stiff pair would work better. Or maybe slightly cropped? Probably don't have to be denim but something that I can wear casually like I wear denim. And part of my hesitation was that I have not seen anyone in real life wearing these - conservative west Michigan city - and know if I feel silly then I won't wear them. But I love the look so want to give it a try. You all have been so successful with this style, any advice is welcome!

https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse.....5&vid

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19 replies

Latest reply was from Brooklyn

Dee

Veteran

I think the fit of these barrel jeans is really good, but with barrel jeans, I find I like them best with some waist emphasis, so shorter and fitted tops perhaps tucked in. I might also add a belt for more waist definition. I like toppers that are cropped and not too oversized. I’d likely wear a darker or brighter colour on top with lighter colour pants. I like your silver booties with them too. In warmer weather I think ankle definition is also helpful as it helps balance the silhouette..

SarahD8

Veteran

I echo Dee's comments...I actually really like the outfit with the lemon tee in #1 and the vest in #3.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I think 1, 2, and 3 are good looks. I agree that with barrel leg jeans, you will probably want to start with tops that are shorter (or tucked, or semi-tucked) as in the first 3 looks. That proportion looks great, to my eye. Yes, you could do with an inch shorter on this pair, but I don't think it's absolutely necessary.

Like you, I have a hard time with lighter colored jeans, or bottoms in general. I find darker ones much easier to coordinate with different tops.

I have a few pairs of barrel jeans or pants. My most recent ones, and probably my favorite at the moment, are the Everlane Utility Barrel Jeans. They are a very minimal barrel shape, and really easy to wear with a lot of the tops I'd wear with straight-leg jeans. They aren't inexpensive, but I'd say mid-range in price. I do not like super-high rises, and these are very comfortable for me.

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The Utility Barrel Jean

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RobinF

Veteran

Thanks Dee and Sarah. I appreciate your input.

Sharan, those are really cute ones and I like that the curve is a little more subtle. No petite sizes unfortunately, which isn't a deal breaker but for this style might be best. I know you sew, and I have debated just making some, which I still might do. There are a few nice patterns for them.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Aha! FWIW, I'm 5'4" but I don't wear petites. I have slightly more height in my legs, and less in my torso.

Bonnie

Veteran

I found that styling my barrel pants really difficult and tried on many combos to find three that I thought worked. I'm okay with wearing them on repeat with fewer choices. They are not as versatile as I hoped. My advice is to try everything because you never know what will work.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

They look AWESOME, RobinF. Perfect length and great fit! Go buy them again

Slam-dunk in #2 and #3.

#1 works well with the silver boots!

Semi-tuck #5 - and you're in business.

Your silver locks are adorable!

To Sharan's point, dark barrel jeans can work well with darker tops, creating that column of colour you're liking in #2 and #3.

Anthropologie does lots of petites! These come in petite:

https://www.anthropologie.com/.....egory=SEAR

https://www.anthropologie.com/.....gory=SEARC

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Those seem to fit you well, and look easygoing, not overly architectural. I like them with all the clothes you chose, but prefer the silver shoes in the first one.

I've had a bit of a hesitancy on the popularity of barrel jeans, and I finally figured it out. Some are so architectural they look like an avant-garde runway, while some are more easy-to-the-body, like these. I do like these, and they don't scream "barrel jeans" to me. They seem more like cargos. I would keep them--it just depends how "barrel" you want to go.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think they fit really well from what I can see, Robin! And the length is good. They look great in 1 and 2! I echo what others have said -- with this style, it's easiest to start with shorter, cropped, or tucked tops.

I also like them with the silver boots.

I have two pair -- one blue and one off-white. They are cut slightly differently but both have a curve to them.

I will be honest and say I prefer to wear this style in warmer weather. Partly because mine are a bit cropped -- so while I am fortunate enough to have higher shaft boots that work with them, I tend to like the look of ankle bone (as Dee mentioned) for the additional structure. Also, because they are wide on the leg, without a thermal under layer, they are not warm enough for me on wintry days. It's not as cold here in the PNW as in the east but it is a damp cold and there is a lot of wind where I live. Your mileage may vary!

I often wear with a belt for waist definition even if iI am wearing something over them like a jacket. I think they work well with a more refined shoe (though I also wear them with sneakers). I tuck or semi-tuck tops with them and/or wear a more cropped sweater.

It's all a question of proportion. My newer more cropped sweaters work more easily than older classic fluid fit ones, but with some styling tricks, those will work also.

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The Way-High Curve Jean

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Barrel Leg Cropped Mid Waist Jeans Zw Collection

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4

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oh! And look how beautifully bonnie and Sharan are wearing their barrels with varying top silhouettes

Dee

Veteran

I'll add of few of my barrel jean combos into the mix too. I also agree with Suz, I do find them easier to style in the warmer weather.

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RobinF

Veteran

Thanks everyone!

Bonnie, those look great and that is how I often wear sweaters. Maybe I shouldn't have thought they need to be as versatile as most of my jeans are.

Angie, those Anthro ones are fun and I do love that they carry so many petites.

Carol, I think that may be the problem for me - they look so avant garde that maybe they look weird on me? Not sure I can carry it off

Suz, thanks for the inspiration! I love how you make them work with different types of tops.

Dee, I love yours too! Part of my problem is I don't like belts and I don't like to tuck (on me)! So picky!!

Thanks so much all! I won't give up on them yet!

Lisa

Veteran

I recently purchased barrels in a lighter weight material than denim specifically to wear them in warmer weather (from this post). I like seeing a little bit of skin around the foot area with them to create contrast to show off the shape of the leg which is why I added the loafers.

I plan to wear mine with shorter tops, or do a semi or full tuck to have some waist definition. And with loafers, sneakers, or sandals, essentially any shoe where I see a little skin around the ankle area.

Your new barrels are lovely on you!

Sal

Veteran

I like them on you especially in the first pick - I could see you wearing them like in Bonnie’s first photo too. The silver boots are awesome.

But if they don’t make your heart sing there are other styles that will.

I could see these being fun in spring and fall in particular.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

oooh! Suz and Dee wearing their barrels beautifully too!

RobinF, rest assured you're rocking your barrels You don't need a belt, or to semi-tuck (although you look great tucking too!). You just need shorter tops. Like the Fabbers are showing here.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Here is a Summer way I wear barrels. Belted and tucked.

The other way is with a short sweater and long coat. Or a short jacket - (not pictured):

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Janet

(website)

Veteran

I like them too but completely relate with Sharan’s comments. My version of this silhouette has a bit less volume, at least on the top of the leg. I like the way these taper to the ankle — I like them with either sandals that show the ankle or booties with a fitted shaft. I also like either a cropped or semi-tucked top with this silhouette (with my very short torso it’s rare that I do a full tuck).

I really like the length of that cropped tee with them, and your semi-tucked sweater. When you roll the hems they seem just a little more like boyfriend jeans, which is a nice casual vibe and shows your ankle a bit more.

But the bottom line is, you need to feel good in them!

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Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I see what Angie and others see and think they look great - but also agree that if you don't like them you won't wear them and that is the most important thing.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I think they look awesome in the first picture! I agree a shorter top looks best and 2 and 3 are on the right track. I also think they are a quite structured look, and wearing them with a longer jacket can sort of mess with that structure, unless the jacket or coat is also structured. I think your relaxed fit jacket in 4 is not structured enough for the pants and better suited to slim fit pants. If you want to wear a longer jacket, I think a more structured jacket like Angie’s no 2 or Bonnie’s no 2 works better with this shape. I think it’s worth persisting if you like them. Good luck!