Horseshoe jeans: yay or neigh? Mumsnet users share their verdict

Dubbed the jeans silhouette of 2024 by Vogue, horseshoe jeans are a new shape of denim that have left our Mumsnet users torn over on our style and beauty board. 

Mumsanetta

This style of jean, worn by the likes of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, is too loose to be a straight-leg style, but more sculptural than your standard baggy ‘Mom jeans’. 

While they’re very similar to barrell jeans, balloon jeans and even wide-leg tapered jeans in terms of shape, the unusual silhouette curves out at your hip a bit more, but tapers in at the ankle - creating its distinctive horseshoe shape. 

River Island Blue High Waisted Tapered Jeans, £45 | Buy now from River Island

We The Free Good Luck Mid-Rise Barrell Jeans, £98 | Buy now from Free People

Admittedly, we can see why this particular silhouette is causing a debate among our users. A far cry from the comfort of hold-you-in skinny jeans many of our Mumsnetters are clinging on to, it seems this year’s hottest denim trend isn’t turning heads for the right reasons. 

"These very much give the bandy legged vibe”, shared AngelinaFibres, with ICantBelieveitMeldrew adding: “they make me think of Benny Hill dressed as the Cowboy. Just horrendous.”

Citizens of Humanity Horseshoe Wide-leg Mid-rise Jeans, £350 | Buy now from Selfridges

Whistles Blue Stretch High-Waisted Barrel Leg Jean, £95 | Buy now from Whistles

Not all is lost, though, for the horseshoe. With a handful of Mumsnetters sharing the love and intrigue towards the shape.

“Oh I love them! I'm no fashion follower but a mum jean or something baggy suits my frame, I'm short with a very flat bum which I like to hide. Hate skinnies on me” shared whengodwasarabbit1. 

“That sounds very chic. I think if you can rock them then they look very fashionable” added Delatron.

“I have a couple of pairs of these barrel/horseshoe jeans and I love that they are so divisive! Means I must be doing something right…” littlestrawberryhat exclaimed, adding that they have a “romantic’y edge to them”. 

So, the question remains… Would you wear them yourself? 

About the author

Rebecca Roberts is a writer, editor, and content marketing expert hailing from Leeds. Here at Mumsnet, she commissions, writes, and edits to bring parents content designed to make life easier. After birthing and breastfeeding two babies in two years, Rebecca knows first-hand how hard it can be to prioritise self care. So, she’s on a quest to find the best beauty, skincare, and make-up products, with the help of Mumsnet user recommendations. 

Beyond her role as an editor here at Mumsnet, Rebecca can be found balancing life as a working mum of two toddlers and when she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her at a local playgroup, in a nearby coffee shop, or walking the dog up and down country lanes.