Jeans....when did they become so complicated!

[Justkoko]

Jeans, I'm lost. After moving on from skinnies, have been wearing girlfriend fit, but even they don't seem as easy to find. I'm unsure about barrel leg. I'm short and in drapey trousers fabric the fit is great, but in stiff denim? I'm not so sure it'll be a good look. Think I need something reasonably fitted around the hips or it'll just look big all over. Has anyone come across an up to date fit that doesn't completely overwhelm the frame if you're a bit shorter? I really need new jeans as mine are wearing out. Best would be from m and s, next or new look as they'll be easiest to get hold of and not too expensive. Tis.

I’m 5’3 and love:

M&S drawstring barrel, drawstring wide, short Eva bootcut, pintuck wide and high waist relaxed.

Abercrombie’s high rise 90s Relaxed.

I've just bought a couple of pairs of levis from Tk Maxx for M&S prices. A pair of classic 501's and a pair of ribcage straight .I'm also 5ft 3. I can also recommend M&S drawstring jeans.

The M&S carrot jeans come in extra short and look pretty decent. I'm 5'5 and wear the short leg as I want a certain look when wearing my Boston clogs. I like the washed lighter denim ones rather than the darker dyes. They're currently on sale online I believe.

It has taken me a while to adjust from wearing skinny jeans only. The carrot jeans are wider in the leg than you're used to but not as much as barrel leg. They have started doing some cotton carrot trousers too that I've worn to death already. I love the black as they're a bit faded and look more charcoal.

Both are high waisted and the trousers are elasticated. I know you are asking about denim though!

They will probably look nice as you are short. I am 5'10" and they look ridiculous on me, those barrel and carrot jeans seem to suit shorter women well

I agree it’s complicated since the demise of skinnies. How do we wear the current ones with boots? Trainers/ clogs are easy, but I’m not sure how wider/ looser cuts will sit with boots.

M&S Mom jeans are flattering but suitably baggy, I have 3 pairs. You need a shorter top or something tucked in with this style.

@SquadGoals75 I wonder if we can get away with skinny jeans and boots by wearing a long jacket to hide the majority of the leg 🤣

I am wondering this too. I can't picture what would work.

Not all barrel leg are the same! I go some from Fatface at the start of the summer, they are wide enough to have a barrel look but not too extreme, tried some on in M&S with same description and they were about five inches wider all the way down the leg. They did have something called relaxed straight which was a bit neater at the hips so looked a bit smarter.
Still totally bemused about what to wear as footwear in the winter with anything which barely touches my ankle.

I think you need to try on a few and see what you think. Even if they have the same style name they can really vary, fit differently and different stretchiness, lengths and colours/shades look different.

I have just returned from nearest city.
I tried on everything in next, M&S, New Look, H&M.

That's the extent of stores we have.
Came home with nothing.
So demoralising. 5ft 4 size 14/16

There are no nice straight/slim jeans for me.

Wide legs look ridiculous. I miss Debenhams for the variety of brands. Our nearest city really doesn't have many stores. I wish supermarkets had changing rooms.
I tried on a pair of 18 jeans in marks and they were tiny 😕.
I think I'm going to go back and concentrate on the charity shops for more normal types of jeans lol.

How about online shopping and returning @Tcateh? Especially if returns are free ? It’s less stressful trying on at home I find

And yes it’s incredibly annoying how sizes are so varied! Generally speaking I find everything too long; I’m also 5 ft 4

Oh and yes charity shops might be a good idea

I feel your pain Op! So many jeans out there. M and S have so many varieties I could cry.
I got a couple of pairs from a charity shop that im going to wear until I die.
Good luck!

I’m 5’3” and two days ago bought my first barrel legs from the White Company. They’re comfortable and flattering, and the length is perfect. Portobello style.

Hi I think online shopping is a maybe, I just miss there being normal jeans for normal people, it's hard to explain!
Oh and yes to the lengths, crazy long.
I felt very old and large today.

I’m 5ft 4 but longer leg shorter torso so am too tall for petite and find regular lengths quite long. I’m also quite hourglass shaped. I would say jeans have always been complicated- it’s just that skinnies had a monopoly for so long and were so stretchy that we all forgot it! I hated skinnies so have been delighted that you can now get every shape jean again. I love barrels and either aim to have them cropped just above ankle or creating a little puddle over shoes. I love wide legs. I love straight leg. All the cuts except skinnies!

I saw Trinny with her barrel leg jeans . I mean wtf ? 😂

i desperately need jeans this winter but am only 5ft so it has always been a huge struggle for me, barely anywhere does them short enough. I have tried a few pairs of barrels on and left them firmly in the changing rooms. I will try M&S again but last time the petites were too long.

I’m still wearing my low rise skinny jeans! They’re the only thing that suit my shape. I’m not bothered they’re not in style or cool anymore. I look utterly bizarre in trousers that are baggy or high waisted.

5’2 here. I am getting to the point where I am going to get custom tailored Levi’s. Had enough with it tbh

Apparently skinnies are on their way back….

I am short. I can cope with the lenghth of jeans as they can be easily altered. It's the high rises I am utterly sick of.

Same!

I'm a different shape but found a great selection of jeans at our large River Island - loads of shapes and lengths. Also a very helpful assistant! Got a great pair for £52. You do need to be in a specific jean-trying-on mood though.

Same here. I was really disappointed this summer not being able to get skinny cropped jeans ! I have lost 20kgs and was looking forward to feeling confident in tighter fitting clothes!
Baggy clothes so unflattering on most body shapes