Tuesday, September 24, 2024

28 Wide-Leg Jeans For Breathing Room (Unexpected Barrel Jeans Included)

Denim trends offer opportunities to experiment with and push the boundaries of our personal styles, but we always know which silhouettes complement our bodies best and make us feel confident. Wide-leg jeans certainly make me feel the most confident: I personally enjoy a high-waisted, cropped style that enhances my curves and gives my legs breathing room. But there are so many to choose from (and believe us when we say wide-leg jeans will never go out of style) — from ankle-cut flares to floor-grazing baggy bottoms to, now, barrel-leg jeans, with their unique darted-knee details and not-quite-as-wide hemlines.

Whether you’re looking for ultra-modern or vintage-inspired denim for casual street style or an elevated work look, we’ve compiled some of the best wide-leg jeans to slip into this fall. Read on to shop the season’s hottest styles from Refinery29 reader-favorite brands like Free People, Anthropologie, Abercrombie & Fitch, Reformation, and Madewell.

All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.

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Classic Wide-Leg Jeans


Whether cropped or floor-length, a classic pair of wide-leg jeans can do wonders for your wardrobe. Style the denim staple with a crop top and slingback heels in the summer, or a cardigan and chunky clogs in the fall. Scroll on to find slim trouser-like cuts, along with ultra-wide ankle-length styles with fun details like studs, statement stitching, and pleats.

Shop Mother At Anthropologie

MOTHER The Tomcat Roller Sneak High-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans, $, available at Anthropologie

Universal Standard Carrie High Rise Wide Leg Jeans


Shop Universal Standard

Universal Standard Carrie High Rise Wide Leg Jeans, $, available at Universal Standard

Rolla’s Sailor Jeans


Shop Rolla's At Free People

Rolla's Sailor Jeans, $, available at Free People

Love Bonito Denim Cropped Wide Leg Culottes


Shop Love Bonito

Love Bonito Denim Cropped Wide Leg Culottes, $, available at Love Bonito

Maeve The Colette Cropped High-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans


Shop Anthropologie

Maeve The Colette Cropped High-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans, $, available at Anthropologie

Gap High Rise Stride Wide-Leg Jeans


Shop Gap

Gap High Rise Stride Wide-Leg Jeans, $, available at Gap

Reformation Cary High Rise Slouchy Wide Leg Jeans


Shop Reformation

Reformation Cary High Rise Slouchy Wide Leg Jeans, $, available at Reformation

Kotn Delta Denim


Shop Kotn

Kotn Delta Denim, $, available at Kotn

Levi’s Ribcage Wide Leg Jeans


Shop Levi’s

Levi's Ribcage Wide Leg Jeans, $, available at Levi's

Flared Jeans


If a wide cut that starts at your hips feels a bit too dramatic, try a pair of flared bottoms that start to open up around the knee instead. This subtler style still makes a statement without giving full-on bell-bottom. Look for a pair with chic trouser seams in a dark wash for elevated, going-out looks, or one with lived-in frayed hems for a vintage rockstar vibe. Click on to see if flared jeans are the best wide-leg denim option for you.

Shop Ann Taylor

Ann Taylor The Seamed Boot Jean, $, available at Ann Taylor

Warp + Weft Mia Plus Flare Jeans


Shop Warp + Weft

Warp + Weft Mia Plus Flare Jeans, $, available at Warp + Weft

1822 Denim Fit & Lift High Waist Flare Jeans


Shop Nordstrom

1822 Denim Fit & Lift High Waist Flare Jeans, $, available at Nordstrom

Torrid Perfect Flare Vintage Stretch Mid-Rise Jean


Shop Torrid

Torrid Perfect Flare Vintage Stretch Mid-Rise Jean, $, available at Torrid

Wrangler Fierce Flare Jean


Shop Wrangler

Wrangler Fierce Flare Jean, $, available at Wrangler

L’Agence Sera Sneaker Flare Jean


Shop L’Agence

L'Agence Sera Sneaker Flare Jean, $, available at L'Agence

Na-kd Flared High Waist Stretch Jeans


Shop Na-kd

NA-KD Flared High Waist Stretch Jeans, $, available at NA-KD

Barrel-Leg Jeans


Barrel-leg jeans — distinctive thanks to their sculptural shape and versatility across body types — have spiked in popularity recently,  despite being a divisive style. Also called horseshoe or balloon jeans, they curve out at the knee (wider than your hips) and taper in at the ankle. Look through our top picks, which feature darted seams and statement stitching.

Shop Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch Mid Rise Barrel Jean, $, available at Abercrombie & Fitch

Pistola Wes High Rise Barrel


Shop Pistola

Pistola Wes High Rise Barrel, $, available at Pistola

Madewell The Darted Barrel-Leg Jean


Shop Madewell

Madewell The Darted Barrel-Leg Jean, $, available at Madewell

Everlane The Utility Barrel Jean


Shop Everlane

Everlane The Utility Barrel Jean, $, available at Everlane

Agolde Balloon Jean


Shop Agolde

Agolde Balloon Jean, $, available at Agolde

Citizens of Humanity Horseshoe Jean


Shop Citizens of Humanity

Citizens of Humanity Horseshoe Jean, $, available at Citizens of Humanity

Frame Crop Balloon Leg Jean


Shop Frame

Frame Crop Balloon Leg Jeans, $, available at Frame

Baggy Jeans


If you’re looking for super-casual comfortable denim, there are plenty of wide-leg jeans that are slouchier and more relaxed. Find billowy styles that pool at the floor or require you to cuff them. Alternatively, you can opt for low-rise, mid-rise, or drawstring-waist styles in that extra-baggy fit — and look out for faded or distressed washes for your next wide-leg purchase.

Shop Cotton Citizen

Cotton Citizen Baggy Jean, $, available at Cotton Citizen

Old Navy High-Waisted Baggy Wide-Leg Trouser Jeans


Shop Old Navy

Old Navy High-Waisted Baggy Wide-Leg Trouser Jeans, $, available at Old Navy

Zara Mid-Waist Baggy Balloon Jeans


Shop Zara

Zara Mid-Waist Baggy Balloon Jeans, $, available at Zara

Good American Good Ease Relaxed Jeans


Shop Good American

Good American Good Ease Relaxed Jeans, $, available at Good American

BDG Logan Buckle Baggy Boyfriend Jean


Shop Urban Outfitters

BDG Logan Buckle Baggy Boyfriend Jean, $, available at Urban Outfitters

Mother Denim The Hustler Roller Sneak Jeans

(baggy)
Shop Mother Denim

Mother Denim The Hustler Roller Sneak Jeans, $, available at Mother Denim

ASOS DESIGN Curve soft wide leg jeans

(baggy)
Shop Asos

ASOS DESIGN Curve Soft Wide Leg Jeans, $, available at ASOS

Tibi Classic Wash Denim Sid Jeans

(barrel)
Shop Shopbop

Tibi Classic Wash Denim Sid Jeans, $, available at Shopbop

J.Crew Denim Trouser

(classic wide leg)
Shop J.Crew

J.Crew Denim Trouser, $, available at J.Crew

Old Navy Mid-Rise Baggy Wide-Leg Jeans

(baggy)
Shop Old Navy

Old Navy Mid-Rise Baggy Wide-Leg Jeans, $, available at Old Navy

Universal Standard ComfortDenim Drawstring Jean Trouser

(baggy)
Shop Universal Standard

Universal Standard ComfortDenim Drawstring Jean Trouser, $, available at Universal Standard

Wide-Leg Jeans


Whether cropped or floor-length, a classic pair of wide-leg jeans can do wonders for your wardrobe. Style the versatile denim staple with a fitted crop top and strappy sandals in the summer or an oversized sweater and ankle boots in the winter. Below, find modern interpretations of the iconic '70s bellbottom style, including slim trouser-like cuts along with ultra-wide ankle-length jeans.

Shop Reformation

Reformation Cary High Rise Slouchy Wide Leg Cropped Jeans, $, available at Reformation

Gap High Rise Stride Wide-Leg Jeans with Washwell


Shop Gap

Gap High Rise Stride Wide-Leg Jeans with Washwell, $, available at Gap

Rolla’s Sailor Jeans


Shop Free People

Rolla's Sailor Jeans, $, available at Free People

Pilcro High-Rise Wide-Leg Trouser Jeans


Shop Anthropologie

Pilcro High-Rise Wide-Leg Trouser Jeans, $, available at Anthropologie

Banana Republic Pleated High-Rise Wide-Leg Jean


Shop Banana Republic

Banana Republic Pleated High-Rise Wide-Leg Jean, $, available at Banana Republic

J.Crew Denim Trouser in Chambray Blue Wash


Shop J.Crew



J.Crew Denim Trouser in Chambray Blue Wash, $, available at J.Crew

Good American Good Waist Palazzo Cropped Jeans


Shop Good American

Good American Good Waist Palazzo Cropped Jeans, $, available at Good American

Madewell Superwide-Leg Jeans


Shop Madewell

Madewell Superwide-Leg Jeans, $, available at Madewell

Gap Factory High Rise Wide-Leg Ankle Jeans


Shop Gap Factory

Gap Factory High Rise Wide-Leg Ankle Jeans, $, available at Gap Factory

Levi’s Ribcage Wide Leg Jeans


Shop Levi’s



Levi's Ribcage Wide Leg Jeans, $, available at Levi's

Everlane The Mariner Jean


Shop Everlane



Everlane The Mariner Jean, $, available at Everlane

Flared Jeans


If a wide cut that starts at your hips feels a bit too dramatic for you, try a pair of flared bottoms that start to widen around the knee. This subtle style still makes a statement. Go for ripped knees or frayed hems for a vintage rockstar vibe or bold seams and vented ankles for an elevated, going-out look. Scroll on to see if flared jeans are the route to go down for your style journey.

Shop Wrangler


Wrangler Bonnie Destructed Loose Flare Jean in Bad Intention, $, available at Wrangler

We The Free Jayde Flare Jeans


Shop Free People

We The Free Jayde Flare Jeans, $, available at Free People

Abercrombie & Fitch Curve Love High Rise Vintage Flare Jean


Shop Abercrombie & Fitch



Abercrombie & Fitch Curve Love High Rise Vintage Flare Jean, $, available at Abercrombie & Fitch

Frame Le High 'N' Tight Crop Mini Boot Jeans


Shop Frame

Frame Le High 'N' Tight Crop Mini Boot Jeans, $, available at Frame

Seventy + Mochi Queenie High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans


Shop Anthropologie

seventy + mochi Queenie High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans, $, available at Anthropologie

& Other Stories Flared High Waist Jeans


Shop & Other Stories

& Other Stories Flared High Waist Jeans, $, available at & Other Stories

American Eagle Curvy Super High-Waisted Flare Jean


Shop American Eagle

American Eagle Curvy Super High-Waisted Flare Jean, $, available at American Eagle

Asos Design '70s' Power Stretch Flared Jeans


Shop Asos

ASOS DESIGN '70s' Power Stretch Flared Jeans, $, available at ASOS

Express Mid Rise Ripped Raw Hem 70s Flare Jeans


Shop Express

Express Mid Rise Medium Wash Ripped Raw Hem 70s Flare Jeans, $, available at Express

Baggy Jeans


If you're looking for super-casual and comfortable denim, there are plenty of wide-leg jeans that are slouchier, baggier, and more relaxed. Find billowy styles that are cropped and ones that pool at the floor or require you to cuff them, including those with extra width around the knees, like the iconic Citizens of Humanity horseshoe jeans. So for your wide-leg denim dreams, consider all the baggy jeans out there.

Shop Zara

Zara TRF Mid-Rise Wide Leg Slouchy Jeans, $, available at Zara

Cotton On Relaxed Wide Leg Jean


Shop Cotton On

Cotton On Relaxed Wide Leg Jean, $, available at Cotton On

AGOLDE Dame Jeans


Shop Free People

Agolde Dame Jeans, $, available at Free People

AG Jeans Stella High-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans


Shop Anthropologie

AG Jeans Stella High-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans, $, available at Anthropologie

Bershka Slouchy Dad Jeans


Shop Asos

Bershka Slouchy Dad Jeans, $, available at ASOS

BDG Rih Extreme Baggy Mid-Rise Jean


Shop Urban Outfitters

BDG Rih Extreme Baggy Mid-Rise Jean, $, available at Urban Outfitters

Old Navy Extra High-Waisted Baggy Wide-Leg Jeans


Shop Old Navy

Old Navy Extra High-Waisted Baggy Wide-Leg Non-Stretch Jeans, $, available at Old Navy

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

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