All About the Barrel Jeans Trend and Today’s Most Viral Pair

Few things seem to make a clothing item become a must-have quite like a bit of controversy. Whether you love them or hate them, barrel jeans—also known as horseshoe jeans—are the most conversation-starting denim silhouette right now, with the Free People We the Free Barrel Jeans going particularly viral. Some people describe the silhouette as a mishap with a sewing machine, while others call it a trash bag dupe—but many fashion people who aren’t afraid to take risks have come to love the balloon-style pant that dramatically widens at the knees and slims down again toward the ankle.

Just like trends from the Copenhagen blouse to fuzzy bucket hats, barrel jeans—and more specifically, Free People’s take on the silhouette—are sure to be all over your social feeds in the coming months. From A-list celebrities to fashion lovers and influencers, barrel jeans are a new favorite, and Free People offers loads of colors and washes to choose from, making them a versatile pick.

Ahead, we’re breaking down this wardrobe must-have’s statement-making appeal.

About the Trend

While the origin of the barrel jean and who first created it is quite unclear, what is clear is that it’s gained massive popularity. The style has become a fixture on the runway (we’re looking at you, Alaïa) as well as celebs like Sienna Miller (who wore Free People’s version). As far as other celeb sightings wearing the barrel jean silhouette, the list is quite extensive, but some notable names are Katie Holmes, Camila Morrone, and Gigi Hadid.

Barrel jeans are also popular among the fashion-oriented set at large as well as getting traction on TikTok and other social platforms, proving they’re a versatile option for just about anyone willing to take a fashion “risk.” If you love a statement staple, this piece may be worth adding to your capsule wardrobe as you can dress it up or down just like normal jeans but the distinctive silhouette makes any look feel intentional. The bow-legged jeans from Free People saw so much success with their initial launch that they expanded into a whopping 19 different colors.

The Appeal

Whether or not you find yourself in the camp of loving barrel jeans, they’ve caught on as a growing trend for a reason. First and foremost, barrel jeans are a fashion statement: If you don these in public (especially a pair like Free People’s, which is incredibly bow-legged), heads will turn—which is sure to garner some compliments from fans of the style and ensure your look is anything but boring. Additionally, since there’s so much space throughout the legs, this dramatically tapered design is airy and roomy, so you can comfortably wear them all day long and keep the focus on your styling choices. Comfort is definitely one of the most appealing aspects of the We the Free Barrel Jeans, which are versatile enough to wear season to season.

How to Style

If you’re feeling sold on the We the Free Barrel Jeans, you might be wondering how exactly to style them—and to be quite frank, the options are endless. Keeping the bottom half of your outfit relatively basic is the most straightforward way to go, so as not to take away from the allure of the silhouette of the jeans themselves. When it comes to footwear, stick with sneakers, loafers, or ballet flats.

As far as the top half of your outfit goes, it’s a key piece to take your barrel jeans in so many directions, so have fun with it. For an office siren vibe, throw on a form-fitting tee or mock neck top with an oversized blazer. For a chilly autumn night, you can’t go wrong with a sweater or cardigan of some sort, and if you’re in the sweltering sun, turn up the heat with an asymmetrical top. 

Fashion is subjective, so you should ultimately style a statement piece like barrel jeans however inspires you most. To get you started, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite styles, from the iconic Free People style to others ranging from dramatic to more minimalist, below.