We Were (Sort Of) Wrong About One Style Trend That We Now (Sort Of) Love
We stand corrected. But we look fantastic doing it.
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by The Candidly Team
If you follow us extremely closely, you might have noticed that we’re suddenly mentioning something all over the place that we once called “hideous.” Not “unflattering.” Not “too trendy.” “Hideous!”
But whatever our flaws may be, we’re willing to admit when we’re wrong. And the thing we happened to be wrong about this time was …
Barrel jeans.
Because admittedly this is what we’re all afraid we’re going to look like in barrel jeans, yes?
In fact it was trying on that exact pair that made our Editor-in-Chief highly skeptical of the barrel in the first place.
But over time, she tried on more and realized that some (SOME!) barrel jeans are good. Some are very, very good. And some are f—king amazing. An answer to a curvy gal’s prayers. A shape that makes us feel like we’re in sweats but look like we’re so much taller and slimmer and so ridiculously smart about fashion.
There’s real trickery in good barrel jeans and how that swoopy cut on the leg can create this flattering, elongating effect. But you have to pick very precise ones. And here they are:
1. The Very Best Of The Best
WHAT: Frame The Bubble Crop*
Why we love them: All the best (and sort of sorcery-like) things about barrel jeans are captured in this perfect, perfect pair. They seeeeem like they’ll look like a sack. They feeeeel like they’ll look like a sack. But then we look in the mirror and whoosh, our legs and butts and hips and thighs and bellies are so wildly flattered, we want to reach for them daily. Yes, they cost more, but the amount we wear them and how they make us feel is worth it.
* Gifted
And they gave us a code for 15% off. Use THECANDIDLY15.
Price: $298
2. The $50 Pair That Fit So Well They Sell Out Constantly
WHAT: Quince Bella Stretch Barrel Jeans*
Why we love them: Despite their jogger-like spaciousness, the leg is so, so slimming, the high waist smooths over a belly pooch, and the pockets are big enough to seriously flatter a booty. These jeans honestly have no business costing $50.
* Gifted
Price: $50
3. The Mid-Range Pair You’ll Reach For Constantly
WHAT: Everlane The Way-High® Curve Jean*
Why we love them: Do people know how good Everlane jeans are? Their sailor has been a go-to of ours for years, but the silhouette of their Way-High® Curve Jean makes our waistlines look incredible. Such an easy, breezy, organic cotton, summer jean that comes in every wash color you could want. Looks. esepciallly gorj with a fitted top, linen blazer, and ballet flats.
Price: $148
4. The Pair That’s Gorgeous On Curves
WHAT: Madewell The Darted Barrel-Leg Jean*
Why we love them: The shape is superb on curves with skimming legs in the front and just the right shape and spaciousness in the back, where everything looks lifted without being tight.
There are many colors (lots of traditional denims) but this is also the perfect color pink that you can match with every white tee and gray tank in your closet, and suddenly, you’ve created a complete “look.”
* Gifted
So effortless.
Price: $148
5. The Ones That Make You Look Taller
WHAT: Gap High Rise Barrel Jeans"*
Why we love them: If you can take your eyes of the price for a moment, you’ll see this ultra-flattering long jean comes in so many colors and washes and prints, it’s dizzying.
Price: $44
6. The Dream Non-Denim Pair
WHAT: Gap Mid Rise Twill Barrel Pants*
Why we love them: Those who know us know our obsession with Jen Aniston’s street style. She wears slouchy, cargo(ish) pants rolled to the ankle with flat shoes and perfect-fitting tanks and maybe the world’s lightest scarf, and poof, she’s the chicest woman we’ve seen. The template isn’t too hard to recreate apart from the pants, which always just look weird on us when we try to fold them up at the ankle. This pair, on the other hand, makes all our dreams come true. The shape is just incredible.
Price: $90
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
We have to eat.
