The popular jean style first crept on our radar when Alaïa showcased them in the Autumn/Winter 2023 collection, but it wasn’t until the summer of 2024 the style started to gain traction. today, the jean style is everywhere we look – and has been cosigned by Dakota Johnson and Gigi Hadid.
Barrel-leg jeans are considered a hybrid between Mom jeans and ankle-grazer jeans, because of the curved leg and the exaggerated silhouette it creates, which is super flattering for all body shapes and sizes.
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Style tip: There are various ways to style barrel leg jeans to weave into your wardrobe seamlessly. Team with a white T-shirt, button-up cardigan, a timeless trench coat and ballet pumps or loafers like Dakota Johnson and Gigi Hadid for everyday wear.
Alternatively pair with kitten heel sling-backs, a crisp shirt and an oversize clutch bag for cocktails with the girls.
2. Wide Leg Jeans
Wide leg jeans boast a straight cut from the hips, down the leg, running all the way to the very hem. However, the width of these can vary. Some wide legs skim the body, as styled on Lori Harvey, while others have a turn up at the ankle like Kendall Jenner’s jeans. Some are oversized and reminiscent of the 90s baggy jean – a cut which J.Lo has opted for.
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This type of jean is (arguably) the best for those who want to experiment with the rise. Some may prefer a high-waisted jean to elongate their legs and contrast the exaggerated width, but Gen-Z are leaning into the low rise wide-leg jeans. There is a place for them all, it just depends on the aesthetic you are going for.
Style tip: Wondering how to style wide-leg jeans? They compliment trainers beautifully for that cool off-duty look, as well as ballet pumps and loafers for a contemporary twist. Wide-leg jeans can also be styled with heeled boots or a slingback heels of an evening.
3. Straight Leg Jeans
Straight leg jeans, also known as a slim taper jean, do exactly what they say on the tin. These jeans boast a straight cut from the hips to the hem of the jeans, whether they are an ankle grazer or longer in length.
Straight leg jeans are a hugely popular style because they are a happy medium between skinny jeans and wide leg jeans – and they’re available in high rise, mid rise and low rise waist, as well as full leg and shorter lengths, too. (Shop more tall jeans here, and petite jeans this way).
While high rise ankle grazer straight leg jeans dominated street style circa 2018, the longer length styles adorned by Alexa Chung today reign supreme. In our humble opinion, these jeans are the most versatile, timeless and flattering jeans out of all the styles. Opt for dark denim, black jeans, as well as a pair of white jeans to see you through every season, and for many years to come.
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Style tip: The ‘It’ crowd are teaming their straight tapered jeans with loafers, even an ankle socks, T-shirt, checked shirt tied around the waist and an oversized bomber jacket. While we still love an ankle grazer straight leg with pointed toe boots and a blazer. Come the summer months, these jeans pair perfectly with sandals (heeled and flat), as well as trainers, ballet pumps and mule loafers.
4. Skinny Jeans
Many thought skinny jeans had their last hoorah circa 2020, but they’d be mistaken. While skinnies flew under the radar for the last few years, the style that had the globe obsessed for decades is today making a comeback – thanks to Topshop’s return. We have also seen Miu Miu bring back the low rise skinny jeans, which are expectedly divisive.
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Style tip: Ultra high rise skinny jeans with a skimpy crop best and Jeffrey Campbell heels were the uniform of the 2010s. today, skinny jeans are being paired with dramatic tops, such as textured capes, oversize bomber jackets, blazers with exaggerated shoulder pads to contrast the cinched in waist, or with a simple boxy white tee. When it comes to footwear Kate Moss pairs with knee high heeled boots.
5. Low Rise Jeans
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We mentioned previously that Miu Miu’s Autumn/Winter 2024 runway saw the return of the controversial low-rise denim trend, but other designers, such as Chanel and Stella McCartney, also support the Y2K style comeback.
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