The topic of women’s jeans is a divisive one; everyone’s favourite shape differs. But if 2025 has taught me anything thus far, it’s that the best barrel leg jeans have us united. Not a single one of my fashion editor friends or colleagues dislikes them – and I can’t blame them, considering the wide leg pairs need little styling to look elevated thanks to the voluminous leg shape.
So when did the love for this fresh denim shape begin? It all started in AW23 when Alaïa made a pair the focal point of their entire runway. The barrel-leg trend took flight, and fashion hasn’t looked back since – nope, not even for classic high waist straight-leg or mom jeans.
With Agolde and Citizens of Humanity leading the way, multiple brands have seen huge success from their balloon-shape denim, so you best believe they’re the silhouette to shop throughout the rest of 2025. And it’s not just specialist brands who have tapped into the denim trend, there’s so many best-selling pairs in the ‘new in’ sections all over the high street right now, too – with everyone from Cos and Arket to Free People and Nobody’s Child having iterations to choose from.
While some of you will be welcoming the news of the skinny jeans’ return – you’ve no doubt seen the return of Topshop’s iconic Joni jeans after its runway return this month – but I, for one, am dreading it. So much so, that I’ve set my sights on their antithesis. I want to be wearing capacious barrel leg jeans that look just as chic with a cardigan and loafers, as they do with kitten heels and a blouse.
I’m not the only one, either. Google searches for ‘barrel jeans’ are up by around 41% since this time last year, and the street style set is into it too. Bella Hadid and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, prove this pair of wide leg jeans is the off-duty model failsafe, whilst Katie Holmes has shown this year that the trend transcends seasons.
Michael Simon
James Devaney
Keep wearing mid wash blue balloon jeans (or lemon, like this fun ASOS Design pair) throughout the warmer months, and come autumn/winter, simply switch to dark denim colourways. I’ve already saved the extra baggy wide leg Citizens of Humanity black pair.
According to social media, I’m not the only one who has a crush on them either – with fashion insiders showing how to style barrel leg jeans by the LA brand with everything from oversized blazers to lightweight knitwear and floaty GANNI tops. Basically, they look great with practically any top, which is why they’re the go-to for so many stylists, editors and fashion people.
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 our faves, whilst you might also see them named ‘balloon jeans’, or referred to as ‘tapered’ like Agolde’s Luna high-rise jeans.
chrissie moncrieffe/@chrissiemilan
Slightly equestrian and adhering to the current cowboy movement, the best barrel-leg jeans are far more wearable than you’d likely first imagine. Try them over a pair of kitten heels or ballet pumps to balance out the oversized barrel silhouette with a delicate and feminine contrast, and opt for something more fitting on top. With that being said, though, I equally like the look of a fully voluminous outfit by opting for a bomber leather jacket, just how GLAMOUR’s senior european commerce editor Sophie Cockett has styled her Aligne white Tommy pair (above) for a transeasonal look that’ll never fail.
Now you’ve got some barrel leg outfit inspiration, here are the best pairs to suit all budgets.
Below, shop the barrel leg jeans trend for 2025.
For more from GLAMOUR UK’s Senior Commerce Writer Georgia Trodd, follow her on Instagram @georgiatrodd.
