Barrel Jeans: Do We Love Them or Hate Them



We live in an era where jeans are a staple, a rite of passage, a fashion essential–but the fit. Women come in varying shapes and body types making it hard for jeans to provide a one size fits all solution. Some of us are curvy and some straight, but when the “barrel jeans” entered the scene (also called horseshoe jeans or balloon jeans) the look and fit seemed to provide a solution–but do we love them or hate them, that’s the question.

Our style editor caved and ordered the TRF Mid Waist Baggy Balloon Jeans from Zara for $49.90. They were constructed of a durable denim, classic pockets, ample flare, loosely tapered hem and easily made it into her top rotation. When asked why she said, “I thought they would make me look like I had jumbo hips, but it did the exactly opposite. They slimmed me down and gave my outfit a unique structure that was a welcome departure from traditional straight leg jean style.” Watch more here.

Jennifer Lopez, Katie Holmes and Bella Hadid are on board with the trend, but is that enough to make the average consumer smitten with what they’ve sarcastically knicknamed “rickets jeans”?

“I was SO excited when I saw these pants in store and the try-on broke my heart,” wrote disappointed creator Ashlee Bock, who shared her try on experience to TikTok.

“It looks fugly even on legit runway models that can make any outfit look good, I just don’t know how regular people think they can pull this trend off. People need to realize they’ve been trolled hard by fashion industry, the ugly shape is irrelevant they just want to sell more denim due to a bad economy.” – PixyGothy

“Barrel jeans are ugly. There, I said it. My shopgirl has been hinting we should brig them into the store. I don’t know, I hate bringing things into the shop I wouldn’t wear myself and barrel jeans are a hard pass for me. Also I’m short. I would look beyond ridiculous wearing them. I have seen some subtle barrel jeans, which are more like a wide leg jean then slightly taper in at the ankle, I can get down with those.” – AdoredVintage

Glamour said, “We were skeptical about this controversial pants trends too, but as soon as Glamour editors tried on the sculptural bottoms, it became clear that this is no passing fad—this shape is here to stay, and you might as well embrace the leg-lengthening magic.”

If the Zara jeans are sold out, Free People has a Mid-Rise Barrel Jean for $98 that is SO adorable our style editor ordered those too and paired it with that trendy hourglass blazer for an exceptional date night look.

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