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.

Barrel can be perfect for the reasons you state. They can be normal fitting at the hops with volume lower down so they show you aren’t large all over.

M&S do extra short now - usually online at least. They’re a 69cm inseam

Nobody’s Child sold some paint-on capris this summer. Or do you mean 7/8th length?

Bootcut isn’t loose anywhere except the ankle. And straight is pretty slim still. Honestly skinnies don’t flatter anyone, I’m a size 6-8 and they make me look like a too tight sausage casing.

Argh, this post reminds me why I never wear jeans! I sometimes think I must be odd, but nope, will stick to not wearing jeans at all. Even if I did, I don't think I would go with what was fashionable, I would go with what suits me

I purchased my first pair of barrel legs recently from H&M they were really flattering and I was surprised to like them. I'm tall so like boot cut jeans the most on me. Am a bit too round about the middle for wide legs these days but they used to suit me when younger.

I’m 5ft 1” size 10 & love the M&S cigarette jeans, they do smaller sizes.

The M&S short have gone longer. Apparently the M&S extra short are the same length as the Mint Velvet Short in Jeans. The waist is also smaller. A 16 waist was at least an inch smaller than my old size 14 Sienna Miller Barrels.

Agreed! Jeans/ trousers are just so weird at the moment.

I'm a very average size and it's almost impossible to find a normal looking pair of jeans that are the actual length and width of my legs.

Levis ribcage jeans

I'm 5'3'', short of leg, round of tum, and flat of arse. I need jeans that are comfy, and will tuck in wellies, so I don't have to change out of them after the morning dog walk, but not so out of touch with fashion I look like my Nan.

I'm currently wearing pull on, straight cut, dark wash, premium jeans in short leg, from Cotton Traders. They are a compromise on all counts, especially the Nan aspect, as CT will always mean 80s rugby shirts to me, but they are working pretty well.

Skinnies all the way! I've got short stumpy legs but they are a decent shape from all the running I do. In anything even slightly loose I look like I've got my mum's clothes on (despite being 66), so I am sticking to my stretchy skinny jeans and a loose top to balance them out.

Same! You can prize my skinnies out of my cold dead hands 😂

I've just ordered some barrel legs from M&S so will report back - due to arrive on Monday.

Uniqlo have a big range of jeans shapes, including straight leg. Some of them look pretty slim in the leg and some look slightly wider. Some of them come in 3 lengths. You can call it complicated but, after living with nothing but skinnies for well over a decade, I'm grateful for the choice.

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/women/bottoms/jeans?lineup=83921-2

Editing to add they still do skinnies too

I am living in Tu Jeans wide but not too flappy. Really comfy with a little stretch.

Why would you not wear skinnies if they suit you best!? And make you feel great?

You have to try on A LOT of jeans to find the right ones! Which can be a complete PITA. I advise to find the rise that suits you and the leg shapes that suit you best and stock up whilst your faves are in fashion or if they are not currently in fashion hit Vinted for them!
Straight jeans are very in right now, they aren’t great on me, neither is a high or a low rise, I suit wide leg and barrel best and a mid rise.
Some entire brand ranges just don’t fit me well eg M&S, Anthropologie. Others like White Stuff, Oliver Bonas & Free People I have a much better hit rate with.

Vitamin D deficiency in childhood was it?

I fucking hope not 🤣

They're horseshoe not barrel . . .

Reiss have the softest jeans ever

I see someone has already recommended Uniqlo and I would absolutely second that. No more than £35 on a pair of jeans or trousers and they have loads of fab jeans in both contemporary styles and the old faithfuls. I tried on a gorgeous pair of baggy barrel jeans today. Lovely fit around the waist, such flattering style. I also have their culottes, and quite a few other pairs of trousers.

I also rate Zara jeans. Again, pretty cheap but they do lots of nice slim, straight, ankle
length jeans that are just simple and flattering.

M&S carrot trousers were also a hit with me. I have the off white ones and they are super flattering.

I’m 161 cm (is that 5’3”?) and I really like the current selection! Was very happy to see straight leg coming back last year, I now wear my old 501 and 505 a lot. I also like barrel leg, Uniqlo are great fit and they are quite flowing, the barrel part is properly baggy, not stiff. I wear them with something fitted on top, IMO they work either by contrast (fitted top - baggy bottom) or by introducing something that gives/hints at the shape underneath - shorter or tucked in top or shirt that cinch at the waist, adding a belt can also accentuate the waist. I like loose, oversized shirts so I usually layer them over a fitted top to show that I’m not a continuous block (or a bag of spuds)

I don’t have any high boots but I still wear skinny jeans or trousers with my wellies.Usually when out in the woods,

5 ft 4 - I like M&S Eva in short. Haven’t a clue if they are seen as up to date style. I miss how easy it was to wear skinnies with long tops and boots(even though I didn’t look great!) I never know what to wear with straights, bootcut, etc.

Trinny says barrel 🤷‍♀️