Barrel jeans have been popping up everywhere lately, and at first, I wasn’t sure they were for me. I tried on a few different styles, but most of them made me feel a little dumpy. I usually look best in pants that fit closer to the hips and thighs, even if they have a wide leg or more relaxed silhouette overall, so by nature, the barrel leg isn’t the most flattering cut on me.
Then I came across the KUT from the Kloth Ashton Utility Barrel Pant, and they completely changed my mind. Technically, they’re a twill rather than denim, but the relaxed barrel-leg shape and utility details feel fresh and modern, and for some reason, I don’t feel dumpy in them at all.
LOFT Heathered Ribbed Wedge Sweater (M) // KUT from the Kloth Ashton Utility Barrel Pants (6) // Vince Camuto Cobby Mule (8) // Tory Burch Romy Suede Shoulder Bag // Tom Ford sunnies // raffia earrings // similar link bracelet
These pants are made of a lightweight twill, and with their cropped fit, they’re perfect for transition season. The utility pockets at the front and back add a touch of interest, and the fabric has a nice drape that keeps the silhouette from feeling stiff. They’re also incredibly comfortable, and the soft green shade pairs beautifully with so many of my favorite neutrals.
For fit reference, they do seem to run big—even for KUT from the Kloth. I’m usually between a 6 and 8 in this brand, but these are the 6 and still feel roomy. They also have a higher rise (11 1/2″), which makes them perfect to pair with a shorter top. I styled them with this short-sleeve sweater in a complementary neutral shade and finished the look with suede mules and a caramel shoulder bag.
This LOFT Heathered Ribbed Wedge Sweater in the Light Oat Melange has quickly become a favorite. The ribbing gives it just enough texture to feel interesting without being fussy, and the wedge silhouette keeps it from clinging. It runs fairly true to size, but I went with a medium for a little extra wiggle room.
And this suede bag is another new fall find. I love the rich caramel color—it ties in perfectly with the suede loafers, creating that pulled-together “bookend” effect I like in an outfit.
During this photo shoot I didn’t have anything inside, so it looks structured here, but I like that it has a subtle slouch to it, as shown on the model online. It’s a really nice everyday size, big enough for the essentials without feeling bulky, with an adjustable shoulder strap.
I also styled these pants with sneakers for a more casual vibe. These adidas SL 72 OG sneakers have a streamlined silhouette that works well with the volume of the barrel leg, and the pop of red against the brown adds a fun, unexpected touch.
Style Note: I think swapping the sweater for a tee would make this look even better—a simple brown tee would tie in nicely with the sneakers, or even a graphic tee could give it a playful edge.
LOFT Heathered Ribbed Wedge Sweater (M) // KUT from the Kloth Ashton Utility Barrel Pants (6) // adidas SL 72 OG Shoes (8) // Clare V Midi Sac // Tom Ford sunnies // raffia earrings // similar link bracelet
For this version, I swapped the caramel shoulder bag for a chocolate brown woven crossbody to tie in with the sneakers. I like how the deeper shade grounds the look and balances the brighter accents.
All in all, I’m glad I gave the barrel-leg trend another shot. While most of the styles I tried didn’t work for me, these won me over with their comfortable fit, modern details, and versatile green twill. I don’t think barrel jeans will ever replace my go-to flare and wide-leg styles, but it’s fun to have this fresh silhouette in my closet for when I want to switch things up.
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21 Responses
These are really cute! Are they a spring/summer weight, or do you think you would wear these in the winter as well?
These pants do look good, but there really isn’t a big curve in the hip and thigh area like most barrel pants have. These look wide & straight to me. This is probably why they look better! I’m not a fan of the barrel look either.
While I like the outfits you created, I’m still on the fence about adding a pair of barrel legged pants to my wardrobe. I wonder how long they will be on trend.
They don’t look barrel to me. I won’t wear barrel.
I think you look super cute in these pants and personally prefer them to all the shorter pants that seem to be around this season.
For example I love the Paige Anissa 31, but feel the others just stop an inch or two short for me (I’m 5’4”).
I may have mentioned before that I bought the Athleta Barrel pants, and they are also a super fabric and look so chic on. Give them a try. I now have them in khaki and black and wear them all the time.
I’ve tried on barrel pants at stores on at least three different occasions, but each time it ends with a salesperson hovering outside the fitting room door nervously asking if I am okay or if everything is alright, because I start laughing at my reflection so hard I start gasping for breath or choking a little bit. They can look cute on some people if the proportions are exactly right, but overall, I think they’re very difficult to pull off for most women. So barrel jeans or pants are going to remain a hard “NO” for me.
With that being said, the pair you chose look very nice on you, but they don’t read “barrel” to me when you have them on. Instead they just look like a wide leg pant.
I’m not a fashionista by any means, but I am guessing the barrel pants will end up being a short-lived trend or a flash-in-the-pan situation. I definitely would not load up on them in any case because I have a hunch that within a year or so, or maybe even less, most of us will look back on the barrel pant era and wonder what we were thinking and why we allowed the fashion industry talk us into what is very possibly the single most unflattering pant style for the vast majority of women. I don’t remember ever wondering if there were a way that I could make my legs look more barrel-shaped.
I, too, have been on the hunt for some barrel jeans, and I recently purchased these pants in two different sizes. I’m curious if you’ve washed them yet? I seem to be in between sizes, and I’m wanting to know if they shrink at all?
Those don’t have the typical barrel shape. Nice find!
After seeing you try these on Instagram, I looked at them on the Kut from the Kloth website and realized they also make the same pair in blue denim. After some searching, I realized most of the blue ones on different sites were basically the same but had flaps on the back pockets. I’m not into dealing with the flaps since they almost always need ironing to get them to lay properly. I finally found the blue version no back flaps on the Dillard’s website and bought them. They are perfect! Thanks for the inspiration! Also putting in another vote for the barrel pants from Athleta. I have them in white and they are really great. I’m waiting for a sale or for someone to throw out a discount code to get them in a more fall color.
Those are a very un-barrel-ly barrel jean. While you like them and they work for you, I’ll still have to say the trend is a hard pass for me.
I have to agree with you and the others who took a hard pass. I haven’t tried them. And won’t. They don’t do anything spectacular for me. I realize Jo-Lynn’s sharing fashion trends that appeal to her and to help us all find what works tho. These look great on you Jo-Lynne! I enjoy following you and your fashion style!! 😊
I agree. These are cute on Jolynne and I would consider this pair (although I’d argue these look more like a wide leg than a barrel). But I’m passing on the true barrel pants. They create a bow-legged effect that I don’t find flattering. But to each her own!
Also I agree that I appreciate Jolynne showing a variety of trends. What one person hates, another loves. Also what doesn’t flatter one body type looks great on another. Great example that fashion is not universal and we should all wear what works for us, not feel like we “have” to wear whatever is trending. Pick what works, skip what doesn’t!
While the pants are clearly creating a conversation, let’s not overlook that suede bag!! Love the color and the fact that it seems like a great balance of slouch and structure! I love the look of a slouchy bag, but every time I have one, I get frustrated with all the contents sinking to the bottom. But the structured bags are feeling dated. This seems like a great in-between! Thanks for sharing!
These don’t really look like the barrel pants that I see around – they are not as “severe” of a taper at the bottom of the leg. These look more like a cropped wide-leg style which appeals to me more than a barrel. I am not a fan of the barrel jean trend – it just doesn’t work for me. But I may give these a try. I do love the caramel suede bag – gorgeous.
I like these pants! Very flattering. I ordered a pair of barrel jeans on sale and I’m waiting for them to arrive. I decided to give them a shot!
I know you have said before but will you please link your full length mirror, the one you move around. Please share. Thank you!
It’s this one https://shopstyle.it/l/culCZ
I like the bag. The pants don’t look that barrel to me. They do look comfortable though.
The barrel pants look great on you–but being shorter, alittle over 5’3″–they just never look right on me–I think you need to be 5’4″ and over to pull this off successfully! Even my slightly baggy, drawstring pants, I find myself putting on and then changing to something else. I like the look of the Loft sweater top, but that color would wash me out as a blonde. And I have a Loft bday discount burning a hole in my pocket(:
I got a chocolate brown bag that looks just like your Claire Vivier one from Quince for $99. Save v Splurge!