This Trendy New Jean Shape Is HIDEOUS—And The 6 Flattering Jeans To Wear Instead
These jeans are GASLIGHTING us.
by Audie Metcalf
Welp. We sort of gave it away in the main image, so we all know it’s coming.
The hideous, trendy shape in question? THE BARREL.
Let’s take a look at the onslaught of gaslighting together, shall we?
We will admit that many of these photos make us feel as though we, too, could fling on a blazer and an Oxford and look like these very tall, very svelte, very swanlike ladies.
But alas. We look like this:
Oh, and you wanted a side photo, you say? Ask and you shall receive:
Now, listen. I am no stranger to the 80s. The 80s have my heart. Benetton. Gitano jeans. Esprit. Contempo Casuals. This is where I cut my teeth. I dream of dressing like that again, so like, I can dig some balloon-shaped shit. All of this is to say if the barrel jean was going to appeal to any over-40 person on earth, it’s me.
AND YET. I think we can all agree that these barrel jeans are, objectively, objectively, utterly, unequivocally grotesque.
And here’s the disclaimer. Maybe you love them and that’s fine. Maybe you look swanlike in them. Maybe you don’t look swanlike in them but you still love them. All of that is fine. Just because I think something is hideous doesn’t mean you have to. Your opinion is just as valid as mine. But this article is for the throngs of women who see this trend and wonder if they’re the only ones who think they’re losing their marbles that this could possibly be a trend.
And for those women, you are not alone.
And also for those women, here are 6 supremely flattering jeans for anyone who has a hard time with jeans. None are trendy. All are classic in some way. All are wildly comfortable. And all have a gorgeous fit.
Let’s begin.
1. The super oversized fit that’s still flattering
What: Madewell Superwide-Leg Jeans in Ahern Wash: Airy Denim Edition
Why: This shape is universally gorgeous on any body type, and the waist/stomach area would be perfect if you have a pooch because there’s a lot of room, but like all Madewell jeans, it holds you in without feeling suffocated. And big, wide legs feel modern without being trendy.
And the side angle shows just a low-key comfy fit.
Price: $138
2. The almost-skinny jean that’s one of the best fits for curves
What: Madewell The Curvy Perfect Vintage Jean
Why: This style is constantly sold out so if you have a bigger rump, thicker thighs, and you can’t ever pull a pair of jeans up to fully and comfortably fit over your rear end, you have GOT to try these jeans. They have them in non-curvy as well if your hip-to-waist ratio isn’t as extreme.
Here’s a side angle to show that they fully go up to your natural waist without gapping.
Price: $128
3. The holly hobby jeans that scream 70s but fit like a f*&King glove
What: The Colette Denim Cropped Wide-Leg Jeans by Maeve
Why: These are the famous Colette pants, but as a jean! We talk about this style ALL THE TIME, because it’s very possible there is no better fitting pair of pants on this earth. And the jeans are no different. They have TONS of stretch and run large, so size down. They’re slightly cropped but they don’t make your legs look stumpy, and those front pockets are so expertly placed so your entire stomach/torso situation looks sleek and smooth. I wear these jeans a LOT.
Price: $130
4. The wearable flares
What: MOTHER The Weekender Mid-Rise Flare Jeans
Why: Fitted flares might just be the most flattering shape on this, or any other list. They just make everyone look great. Imagine these with a cropped blazer. Like, perfection. I’ve tried a lot of this style and Mother brand is the most stretchy and comfortable and because the shape is utterly classic, you’ll know you’ll own them and wear them for the rest of your life—all of which is just equivocating for when you see the price. I bought them with my own money (not sent to me by a brand) and I wear them often as my “smart” jeans. They run about a half size small so just putting that out there.
Price: $238
5. The cropped, stretchy jean that CREATES curves
What: Madewell Curvy Kick Out Crop Jean
Why: These also come in non-curvy, but like all curvy Madewell jeans, they just fit like a second skin. These ENHANCE curves, so if you want to add a little juice to a flatter rump, these are your jeans. And if you HAVE a juicy rump and thigh, these jeans highlight them in such a magical way. They also have so much stretch you’ll almost weep as they glide up and over your legs and butt like they were custom made for your body.
Price: $138
6. The jeans we’ve written about more than any other jeans
What: Paige Anessa Crop Wide-Leg Jeans
Why: Welp. As you can see. They’re perfect. They feel like leggings, they’re perfectly high-waisted, they have that slightly frayed hem that makes it look as though you didn’t think at all about your outfit except you look flawless, and the stretch in the butt and the waist is so unbelievably slimming it’s like an optical illusion. We saved the best for last.
Price: $229
Audie Metcalf is the Editor-in-chief of The Candidly, and lives in LA with her family. You can find more of her articles here.
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.
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