EVELYSS / Guides / Fashion Sense

How to Style Barrel Jeans for Winter (Shoes, Tops, Coats and Length)

“Barrel jeans are already making a statement with their shape, so everything around them should be quieter and slimmer. Fitted on top, sleek on the feet, and let the curve of the leg be the interesting part.”Her take

What makes barrel jeans different?

Barrel jeans, sometimes called horseshoe jeans, curve out from the hip through the knee and taper back in at the ankle. That rounded shape is the point, so styling is about showing it rather than hiding it.

Because the widest part sits at the knee, the hem and the shoe matter more than with straight or wide-leg jeans. A hem that's too long collapses onto the shoe and the curve disappears. A shoe that's too bulky competes with the leg.

How long should barrel jeans be?

Aim for the hem to land at or about half an inch above your ankle bone, with no break over the shoe. That leaves a little of the sock, tights or ankle showing and lets the leg taper visibly.

If you're under about 5 ft 4 in, a high rise and an ankle-length or slightly cropped hem matter even more. A tailor can take up the hem while keeping the original seam, and it's worth it: extra fabric pooling at the ankle is one of the quickest ways to make barrel jeans look sloppy.

What shoes to wear with barrel jeans in winter

The rule is slim and low-profile. The narrow ankle of the jean should sit neatly over or around the shoe.

• Pointed flats or kitten heels: the sharpest choice. In cold weather, wear them with fine opaque socks or tights in the same color as the shoe.
• Loafers: pair them with ribbed socks that show at the hem. Cream, gray or chocolate socks all look intentional.
• Sleek ankle boots: choose a slim shaft that the jean hem can sit on top of. Avoid boots with a wide, slouchy shaft.
• Ballet flats or mary janes: work for dry days, with tights for warmth.
• Skip: chunky lug boots under barrel jeans (too much volume at the ankle) and tall boots, since you can't tuck a curved leg neatly into them.

What tops balance a curved leg?

Keep the top half closer to the body. A fitted fine-knit turtleneck, a ribbed crew neck, a bodysuit or a cropped cardigan all keep proportions clear. If you want a looser sweater, tuck it fully or do a front tuck so your waist shows where the curve begins.

A long, loose top worn untucked over barrel jeans hides the waist and makes the whole outfit look like one big shape. If you love an oversized knit, choose one that's cropped or ends at the high hip.

Which coats work with barrel jeans?

Choose one of two lengths. A cropped jacket that ends at the waist, such as a short wool jacket, bomber or cropped puffer, shows the full shape of the jean. A long coat that ends below the knee frames the leg and covers the widest point neatly.

The length to avoid is mid-thigh to just above the knee. The coat hem then lands right on top of the jeans' widest point, stacking two kinds of volume at the same height, and your legs look shorter.

Three winter barrel jean outfits

Each of these uses one fitted layer, one slim shoe and one coat length from the rule above.

• Weekend: mid-wash barrel jeans, a cream ribbed turtleneck tucked in, gray socks with brown loafers, a long camel coat.
• Errands: dark barrel jeans, a navy crew neck, a short black puffer that ends at the waist, slim black ankle boots.
• Dinner: black barrel jeans, a fitted black knit bodysuit, pointed black kitten heels with sheer black tights, a long charcoal coat.

Questions people ask

The takeaway

Hem at the ankle bone, a slim shoe, a fitted or tucked top, and a coat that's either cropped to the waist or long past the knee.

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