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Jeans- talk to be about what's 'in'.

83 replies

ANNotherWriter · 18/09/2026 16:19

I have some straight jeans, some girlfriend and some wide leg cords.
Is anyone wearing these or is it all barrel leg and wide legs?
I'm not a slavish follower of fashion and old enough to know styles change. I don't really like being dictated to by fashion but I don't want to look very dated.
I'm a short size 10 and have to be careful not to be swamped.

OP posts:
LadyRoughDiamond · 18/09/2026 16:48

I have different fits for different occasions. I’m a jeans girl and like to think I’m open to most styles: Dark wide legs for smarter looks, straight 7/8s for smart daytime with loafers, light wash wide legs to wear with trainers, white tapered with Birkenstocks, more casual straight legs and some indigo barrel legs with flat boots. Even kept some skinnies to tuck into wellies on a wet dog walk.

That said, I bought a pair of wider barrel legged jeans a few weeks ago and have come to the conclusion that they make me look like a lunatic, so maybe not every trend works!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 18/09/2026 16:59

I finally bit the bullet, very late to the party, yesterday and bought a pair of the M&S barrel legged leopard print jeans. I am little, old and a bit podgy and had dithered over them for ages, but tried them on and decided that I liked them. A young girl stopped me in the street today and said she loved my outfit! Now I think I might try a black pair too!

lindyloo57 · 18/09/2026 17:23

I wish I could wear the barrel ones from marks , I have tried them on so many times as I like the look on other, but at 5ft3 they just didn't suit me.

DramaAlpaca · 18/09/2026 17:27

I think I'm lucky in that barrel jeans suit me; I'm very tall and reasonably slim and I feel good in them.Today I got out my old boot cut jeans and I'm enjoying wearing them, but I usually go between barrel, wide (but not very wide) and sometimes straight leg ones. I did get out my trusty old skinnies a while ago but they didn't feel quite right; I might try again with knee high boots when it gets colder. What I really don't like is cropped jeans; I think they look ridiculous on me.

Makebelieveanotherlife · 18/09/2026 17:40

Barrel leg trousers makes ANYONE look like a clown. That’s exactly what a circus clown wears. It makes women look so dumpy and wider. I can’t understand how this even became a thing

Floisme · 18/09/2026 17:46

I switch between wide leg, barrel leg, flares and straight leg. Basically any jeans shape except skinnies which I’m still bored with.

Edit: I’m 5’3

Lararoft · 18/09/2026 17:54

I read an article from Grazia possibly recommending Straight leg, & Barrel leg?
Locally have seen women in these as well as in slim bootcut & wide leg. I rarely see skinnies now.

SpottyAlpaca · 18/09/2026 17:56

I haven’t the first clue what is ‘in’, nor do I care. I just wear one of th3 ol£ pears I have had for years. They’re just jeans. Who cares?

Floisme · 18/09/2026 18:05

I assume the op cares, @SpottyAlpaca

HostaCentral · 18/09/2026 18:12

I have yet to see anyone look good in barrell jeans....... Sorry. They just look like clown trousers. Flattering, they are not.

I am not very fashionable though, so will still wear my skinnies in the Winter with high boots and a big slouchy jumper. I am an unreconstructed child of the eighties.

I do have a relaxed fit, straight, high waisted, vintage jean, from Gap, which is really comfy, and good with trainers and short boots. Tops tucked in.

ItsAlwaysTwins · 18/09/2026 18:17

I’m very much into barrel legs. I have never had so many people say they like them/where are they from as when I wear them. I have 4 pairs of the M&S ones and frankly, should be on commission as so many of my mates have bought them.

krustykittens · 18/09/2026 18:19

Spring and summer I am in wide, straight legged and boot cut jeans, late autumn and the depths of winter I am in skinnys as nothing else looks good with biker boots, over sized jumpers and ankle length coats. I don't care if they are out of fashion. I just bought two in black coated denim and they are lovely. Barrel legs look stupid to me, sorry!

IndigoBluey · 18/09/2026 18:21

I used to only wear skinnies, the jegging ones from M&S but looking back they weren’t flattering on my. 5’4 and had a slight pouch. I’m glad so many other styles have ventured into the mix. Still go to M&S as find good value for the money. I was surprised how comfy and well fit the barrels are, mine are short length. I fancy wide leg next.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 18/09/2026 18:50

I get so sick of the word ‘flattering’ on here, which generally means ‘slimmer’. Sometimes it’s just fun to play with different shapes. I’m 5’2 and I was surprised that the barrel leg jeans seem to quite suit me. They definitely work better than wide legs for my shape.

DeafLeppard · 18/09/2026 18:56

Barrel legs look amazing on me, unlike skinny, which I think made most people look horrific. Takes all sorts….

ItsAlwaysTwins · 18/09/2026 18:58

DeafLeppard · 18/09/2026 18:56

Barrel legs look amazing on me, unlike skinny, which I think made most people look horrific. Takes all sorts….

I agree. I loved skinnies back in the day. I’m tall and slim and thought they suited me. But now I see them very occasionally and I think they look bloody awful.

Keepoffmyartichokes · 18/09/2026 19:02

I've just looked on the website and the M&S barrel leg jeans are the nicest I've seen. I'm very tempted for a chocolate brown pair

PrincessofWills · 18/09/2026 19:06

Barrel by Toast, H & M, Cos, Uniqlo curve, Levi@, and Tu. Straight legs by M & S. Wide legs by M & S. My skinnies went some years ago. Size 14, 5ft 6in 63 - loving anything slouchy and comfy.

Jk987 · 18/09/2026 19:10

Cords are never in!

Puppylucky · 18/09/2026 19:16

The M & S barrel jeans are gorgeous! There is something about the drape of the cut that is so flattering - they are definitely not clown pants even on a shorty like me. Busy selling off my carrot jeans now as I much prefer this cut. I also like Tu relaxed straight if I size up one size as they have a really nice 50s vibe.

Forton26 · 18/09/2026 19:18

I’ve always liked straight leg. I used to be bootcut/flare when i was young. I have solid calves, quads and a bum and was no to skinnies.

However i love all the different options now. I have wide legged, wide comfy cords, bootleg, and straight leg. Had some small flares but they’ve been worn out 😂 Try some different styles on from different brands as they all can be different and see what suits @ANNotherWriter

Forton26 · 18/09/2026 19:21

Jk987 · 18/09/2026 19:10

Cords are never in!

I know the op asked it. But i think there’s can be a difference between what’s in or in trend. To what actual everyday people are wearing.

NitchenNinja · 18/09/2026 20:37

I have the M&S barrel jeans and I’m 5ft 3. They are a very flattering shape, but then I’ve gone for the short length which sits just above the ankle and stops them looking like ‘clown trousers’ on me.

ANNotherWriter · 18/09/2026 20:42

Jk987 · 18/09/2026 19:10

Cords are never in!

There are an awful lot around at the moment. They are basically jeans but in cord. I think they are nice with biker boots and woolly jumpers in the winter.

OP posts:
Thecows · 18/09/2026 20:45

SpottyAlpaca · 18/09/2026 17:56

I haven’t the first clue what is ‘in’, nor do I care. I just wear one of th3 ol£ pears I have had for years. They’re just jeans. Who cares?

Just why oh why would you bother with this comment??

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