Hello.

I've been really enjoying the jean trends this season that Angie wrote about in this post: Jeans Trends for 2024 and I adopted cropped wide leg jeans quickly as my replacement for bootcuts. I'd been intrigued by pintuck jeans and barrel jeans but didn't find anything that caught my eye until now.

I've found two pairs of Paige denim that are different styles but are in the same wash - Vintage Brunette. I need to stop looking at Paige denim because I keep finding things that I like.

Anyway, up for a keep return vote today are the Alexis High Waist Barrel Cargo Jeans and Brooklyn High Waist Crop Wide Leg Jeans. My last keep or return for Paige denim didn't go too well (I ended up keeping both pairs, whoops.) Hopefully this time I can settle on picking just one.

Things I'm considering for keep or return vote:

• I'm not looking to replicate the fit of the hem in the stock photo, I
  actually prefer a longer hem, especially as the weather cools down
  which is when I plan to wear these jeans.
• The jean must work with the cream Pikolinos boots in the finds below. These boots sat mostly unworn last fall and winter, because I didn't have the right bottoms to pair with them. I think this Vintage Brunette color will work well.

These are very soft and have a nice pintuck detail. I've noticed that the fit is more relaxed around the hip and thigh with this style versus the barrel jeans. The extra room makes these very comfortable. I think the flares pair well with the Pikolinos boots, but I already own two pairs of cropped wide leg jeans (a light wash and a mid wash that I put in the finds below). Is a third pair of wide leg jeans too many of the same style?

These are also soft and again have a nice pintuck detail. I like the barrel shape, it's on the subtle side, which is a nice way to ease into the style. However, the fit is closer to the body around the hip and thigh area (reminds me a little of bootcut jeans) compared to the crop wide leg jeans. Also, the utility pockets sit exactly where I am widest, my upper thighs (I'm a pear shape). And I wonder if pairing these jeans with the Pikolinos boots makes this look too "rugged" for my style (which is more soft/sporty/casual at this leg of my style journey).

Just for fun I played around with cuffing options for the barrel jeans. I preferred the uncuffed look best but if you're curious what cuffed barrel jeans look like here you go.

I did a small cuff to show more of the cream boots. I think it looks fine, but I prefer the uncuffed look.

I didn't like this option at all. It was nice to see the boots more, but I think cuffing takes away from the shape of the barrel leg.

Thanks for looking!