The best barrel jeans that prove the shape works for everyone
I've waxed lyrical about my love for barrel leg jeans – and seriously, not a single one of my fashion editor friends disagrees with me – so I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw they were still trending for autumn/winter 2026.
Not that we should care so much about what's in and out these days, if you love it and it suits you, you should absolutely continue to wear it, but it's always a plus to know your favourite outfit component is approved by the masses. And in the burgeoning world of women's jeans, barrel legs are as iconic as straight leg jeans at this point.
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What are barrel jeans, exactly? This wide-leg silhouette, also known as balloon or horseshoe jeans, flares at the thighs and tapers at the ankles. Curved, twisted seams exaggerate and elongate the legs, lending an editorial edge that’s distinct from your average pair. Their smart, structured shape works for the office — but pair them with a nice top and heels, and you’re ready for date night.
Below, I've rounded up the best barrel jeans on the market, including petite jeans, tall jeans, plus size jeans, and plenty of denim well under £100.
The best barrel jeans under £100
You don’t have to shell out hundreds to buy into the look. These days there’s a bevy of budget-friendly picks that’ll perfectly round out your denim drawer. My favourite sub-£100 options come in generous sizing and a slew of rinses, so you’d be forgiven for thinking they go for double or triple their modest price tags. These balloon-leg bottoms elevate even the simplest of outfits — say, a T-shirt and fashion trainers — with no extra effort required.
Insider tip: In this price range, you’ll find both 100% cotton options and fabrics that mix in manmade fibres like polyester and elastane. Cotton pairs (like Levi’s) tend to wash and age better, while mixed materials (like Whistles') offer more stretch.
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Save when you shop for barrel leg jeans with these Levi's discount codes at checkout.
Best baggy barrel jeans
Why not take the barrel-leg trend to its baggiest extreme? For those in favour of extra curve, there’s nothing better than exaggerated jean legs that teeter between horseshoe and wide-leg silhouettes, all of which dart at the knee to balance out the shape. Although I love a casual, pared-down outfit, this ultra-slouchy style can also be dressed up for fancier occasions. A button-down shirt and ballet flats will do the trick for dinner dates or post-work drinks.
Insider tip: Because of their exaggerated shape, wide barrel jeans look great styled with a slimmer crop top, which creates a sense of proportional balance. If you’re working with a longer top, tuck it in (even halfway) for the same effect.
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Save when you shop for barrel leg jeans with these Net-A-Porter discount codes at checkout.
Best high-rise barrel jeans
All-day comfort is not a want but a need when it comes to barrel jeans with a high-rise fit. Go for relaxed, voluminous styles that deliver a broken-in, vintage feel from the waist down. Plus, these fits look great with both cropped and tucked-in tops. No need to overthink what to wear, as high-waist jeans pair well with everything from blazers to trench coats.
Insider tip: High-rise is a great option for the office, since you can easily tuck a button-down into this cut. Pair your jeans with kitten heels to add a touch of formality and some (literal) elevation.
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Save when you shop for barrel leg jeans with these Free People discount codes at checkout.
Best plus-size barrel jeans
Barrel jeans with inclusive sizing can be few and far between. Still, I've found plenty of on-trend plus-size jeans that prioritise comfort while maintaining all the best parts of the fashion-forward barrel silhouette. (Relaxed waists! Balloon legs! Ankle tapers!) My favourite, most reliable styles hail from retailers like ASOS, ARRANGE, Mango and Simply Be, which all offer extended size ranges.
Insider tip: The magic of barrel jeans comes down to their waist-defining shape. Emphasise it by tucking in your top and wearing a belt, then opting for slimmer footwear like loafers or low-key mules.
Save when you shop for barrel leg jeans with these ASOS discount codes at checkout.
Best barrel jeans for petites
Good news: Barrel jeans are, in fact, petite-friendly. In fact, I've found options that fit a shorter stature without the need for adjustments at your nearby tailor. You won’t have to worry about baggy balloon legs that swallow you whole, as the below pairs come slightly cropped with shorter inseams. Your wardrobe and your wallet will thank you.
Insider tip: Our petite editors are especially devoted to Reiss's Levitt barrel jeans, which they say suit the 5-foot-4-and-under crowd incredibly well.
Save when you shop for barrel leg jeans with these Reiss discount codes at checkout.
Best cropped barrel jeans
Cropped barrel jeans, even the ones that hit right at the ankle, offer a play on proportions. Let a little ankle show by opting for a design that’s cropped and tapered, which will follow the natural shape of your body without hugging too closely. As for styling, loafers with visible, scrunched socks will do this silhouette justice.
Insider tip: If you’re on the taller side, opt for a mid- or low-rise fit here to offset the cropped length. Half-tuck a baggy sweater or go with a slightly short tee to show off some midriff.
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Save when you shop for barrel leg jeans with these Reformation discount codes at checkout.
A version of this article originally appeared on Glamour US, but has since been adapted.
How we tested the best barrel leg jeans
We wanted to put all shapes, fabrications, lengths, colourways and even prints to the test to check which pairs of barrel leg jeans are really worth buying into this year. To do this, Glamour editors and contributors Georgia Trodd, Sophie Cockett, Robyn Eugene and Felicity Hayward wore several pairs over the course of a few weeks to create an edit of the best.
Why you can trust us
In a bid to find the very best barrel leg jeans to suit all body shapes, heights, sizes and style preferences, we tried each pair for different occasions. So we dressed them up with heels, wore them with trainers and a sweater and styled them to different upcoming plans to see how versatile they were, how confident they made us feel (this is important when it comes to denim shopping) and how easily they went with the rest of our wardrobe. Considering we're all quite particular about the denim brands we wear, together, we're a board of editors who are picky when it comes to adding a new pair of jeans to our wardrobes. So trust us when we say, these are the best barrel leg jeans out there right now.
What is a barrel leg jean?
Wondering what, exactly, a barrel leg jean is? Snug at the top (just like the best jeans for women with a high waist), barrel legs flare out, reaching their widest point somewhere around the knee region before tapering back in towards the ankle. They sound dramatic… and they are.
If mom jeans, wide-leg jeans and baggy jeans had a baby, barrel-leg jeans would be it. And considering there are so many different denim washes, styles and cuts to choose from, they actually tend to work for both minimalist and maximalists alike. So they're the hybrid pair of jeans anyone can appreciate, no matter your personal style.
What is another name for barrel leg jeans?
Barrel leg jeans have a few different names – it just depends on which brand you're shopping from. Citizens of Humanity call them ‘horseshoe jeans’, with this super wide-leg pair by Citizen of Humanity being one of my faves, whilst you might also see them named ‘balloon jeans’, or referred to as ‘tapered’. No matter what you call barrel leg denim, just know that the capacious pairs are about to become your most-loved and worn denim in your wardrobe. Trust me.
