Barrel jeans have been one of the biggest denim trends over the last couple of years—but I’ll be honest, I was very reluctant to try them. They can feel a bit intimidating for someone in their 40s like me, but I never say never when it comes to trying new trends. I finally found a pair that works for me, so today I want to share six different outfits styling barrel jeans.
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Why the Fit Matters When Shopping for Jeans.
One of the most important things to remember is that not all jeans are created equal. Just because something is labeled “barrel jeans” doesn’t mean it’s going to fit the same way across the board. The rise, the length, and the curve of the leg all make a huge impact on how they look on your body.
For me, being on the petite side, I look for barrel jeans with a high rise (around 10”) to elongate my legs and highlight my waist, along with a cropped length to keep the silhouette from feeling overwhelming. If you have a shorter torso, a mid-rise (closer to 8”) may feel more balanced. These small fit details can make all the difference in how barrel jeans look and feel on your body.
I ended up finding a cute pair of barrel jeans at Gap Factory. They are exactly what I was hoping to find in a barrel jean—high-waisted, cropped, petite-friendly, and not overly curved in the leg. Plus, they were a great price! I bought them on sale for $35.
How to wear Barrel Jeans
I put together six outfits today styling barrel jeans. One thing that always makes a new trend feel more wearable is mixing it with classic pieces from your closet—and that’s exactly what I did here!
For more petite jeans styling post, check out this post: How to Wear Wide Leg Pants: Tips for Petites
Look 1: Classic Navy Blazer + Loafers
For the first look, I took a classic navy blazer from my closet and paired it with a fitted tee. For accessories, I went with my new thrifted loafers, a crossbody purse, a belt, and my oval-shaped sunglasses.
Blazer (0) || T-shirt (small) || Jeans (25/petite) || Loafers || Belt || Purse || Sunglasses
Outfit 2: Oxford Button-Down Shirt + Ballet Flats
A classic Oxford button-down shirt is a staple in my wardrobe. It’s a timeless style, and I love how it pairs with barrel jeans. I accessorized this outfit with my tan belt, crescent purse, and ballet flats.
Shirt (xsmall) || Jeans (25/petite) || Belt || Purse || Shoes (7.5) || Sunglasses
Outfit 3: Pale Blue Cardigan + Gold Flats
This pale blue color is everywhere this season. While the color feels trendy, the style of this cardigan is classic. It pairs beautifully with barrel jeans. For shoes, I went with my gold ballet flats.
Cardigan (small) || Jeans (25/petite) || Shoes (7.5)
Outfit 4: White Textured Top + Trench Coat
This is one of my favorite outfit combinations. I love pairing these barrel jeans with a white elevated basic top like this one. I layered on my classic trench coat, and for shoes, I wore my loafers again.
Top (xsmall) || Jeans (25/petite) || Trench Coat (small) || Loafers (7.5) || Belt || Purse
Outfit 5: Cardigan + White Tee
You can’t go wrong with a cropped cardigan. I’ve been loving wearing this one draped over my shoulders. It’s cute over a white t-shirt, but you can also wear it buttoned up or open. I thought my loafers complemented this look perfectly.
T-shirt (small) || Cardigan (xsmall) || Jeans (25/petite) || Loafers (7.5) || Belt
Outfit 6: Casual Cardigan + Sneakers
These jeans are really relaxed and comfortable, so for my final look, I wanted to try something a bit more sporty and casual. I paired a navy cardigan with the barrel jeans and accessorized with my baseball cap and sneakers.
Cardigan (small) || Jeans (25/petite) || Hat || Shoes (7)
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