Yep, This Non-Skinny Jeans Trend Is Already Defining 2023

best barrel-leg jeans

Photo:

@elizagracehuber wearing Tibi Sid Jeans ($425); @asiyami_gold wearing A.W.A.K.E. Mode Curved Jeans ($600); @anna__laplaca wearing Agolde Tapered Baggy Jeans ($198)

It's safe to say that we've already established the demise of skinny jeans over the past few years. It's hard not to see the shift. Everywhere I look, denim outfits are getting more and more relaxed, and because of it, non-skinny jeans are officially becoming the go-to style for fashion people everywhere. It's just a pattern I noticed—I promise I'm not purposefully hating on skinnies. (If you love them, do you!)

But if you're a fashion-minded person and aren't reaching for skinny jeans on the daily, well, what are you reaching for? My prediction for the rest of 2023 and beyond is barrel-leg jeans. I know you're thinking, "There's no way in hell that the voluminous jeans will become my go-to style," but hear me out. This new wave of non-skinny jeans isn't the ultra-baggy and shapeless style that has us all emotionally damaged. Instead, it's more of a wide, tapered fit. In other words, they're balloon jeans that actually have a shape and structure to them, so they don't forfeit looking polished. They're bubbling up for the second half of 2023, so I'm predicting they'll come to define the year, and trendsetting denim brands like Agolde and EB Denim are already behind some of the standout pairs defining the look.

I went ahead and sourced the aforementioned pairs along with more of the best barrel-leg jeans on the internet right now. You know, just in case you wanted to get in on things. Keep scrolling to shop all my favorites and glean inspiration on how to style them along the way.

Photo:

@yarashahidi

Celebrities beeline for the cool jeans from EB Denim, and I think it's only a matter of time until the brand's latest launch—a curved bowed-leg pair—ends up in their closets too.

The strategic darts at the knee and calf here are key to creating that cool barrel shape.

Naturally, Agolde's take on the trend is forward but ultra-wearable. I love everything about these, from the subtle curved shape to the classic blue wash.

Tibi's perpetually-sold-out Sid Jeans have editors and celebs alike in a tizzy trying to get their hands on the roomy, languid shape.

If you're eyeing the above Tibi jeans but are struggling to find them in your size or wash preference, this slouchy style from Raey is a great alternative.

It doesn't get any cooler than this slouchy fit.

Our entire fashion team is salivating over these Free People jeans for their forward shape and shockingly affordable price. Thanks to my colleague Yusra's on-the-ground intel, I know they look even better IRL.

Good luck finding these in stock for the rest of the month—they've been absolutely flying off of virtual shelves, and it's not hard to see why.

The shape and dark wash make these look quite polished.

If you're at all nervous about styling barrel-leg jeans, just take a cue from Whitney Port's great idea above and pair them with a structured blazer.

Here are the viral Sid Jeans again in a creamy off-white hue that would be perfect to scoop up for the summer.

I like how these sit low on the hips for an even more 2023 silhouette.

From the shape to the styling here, Zara just always gets it.

If you were a fan of mom jeans back in the day, consider this to be your modern-day update to your beloved tapered denim.

Photo:

@asiyami_gold

Just the right amount of volume.

I haven't stopped thinking about these cutout jeans since the day I first laid eyes on them.

Take a cue from the model and try these jeans with streamlined sandals.

Photo:

@vikilefevre

Love how the cuff on these lends some polish to them.

Photo:

@hannamw

The curved shape is just as easy to wear as any wide-leg or baggy pair (e.g., with a tank and sneakers) but lends a more forward feel.

High-waisted? Check. Roomy throughout the leg and tapered at the ankle? Check, check. The perfect length to wear with all your flats? Triple check.

Now those are summer jeans if I've ever seen them.