My favourite time of year has arrived: Sandal and jean season. It's the golden in-between where the weather still warrants your favourite pairs of jeans, but you can gently retire your boots and set your trainers aside. In their place sit sandals, which always manage to complete an outfit yet feel effortless and simple. As both a denim and sandal enthusiast, I'm constantly trialling new pairings, from more classic uniforms to looks that embrace emerging trends that have caught my eye. There have been a few silhouettes that have had serious staying power since autumn, including barrel-leg jeans. Their dramatic shape and myriad colour options mark them as a strong candidate for pairing with a handful of different sandal styles, so in turn, we're exploring which work best.
Whilst it's possible to really wear any sandal style you like with barrel-leg jeans, some have stood out to me as better pairings than others. From hours of scrolling and pulling ideas from the most inspiring fashion people, I've noticed that minimalist styles, narrower straps and the occasional bold colour are most favoured when it comes to sandal trends worn with these jeans. When you're working with statement jeans that already carry ample volume in the fabric and a unique shape, sandals with subtler details and features tend to be a natural match. Although I've noticed a penchant for neutral shades, especially with blue barrel-leg jeans, red sandals have continued to show up as a beloved bolder option. It's the perfect hue for wearing with ecru, grey, black and even dark indigo jeans.
If you're focused on pairing sandals with your barrel-leg jean collection, scroll on for five styles, colours and materials that look superb with this cut of denim.
5 Sandals to Wear With Barrel Jeans This Spring and Summer
1. Flip-Flops
Style Notes: The first sandals to emerge from my back-of-closet hibernation are flip-flops. They're so easy to style, and their minimalist silhouette pairs nicely against the voluminous shape of a barrel-leg jean. I have seen so many examples of fashion people wearing this, from suede flip flops to platform versions with barrel jeans. I personally love Chloe's take, wearing ecru-coloured denim with bright red sandals (which we'll discuss more on in a bit).
These have been my go-tos for two years now. They're so sleek and comfortable, and you can buy them in six colour options.
For the perfect pop of red in your outfit.
Suede feels very luxe and fitting for spring when it's not too hot yet.
The croc pattern gives these a cool touch.
2. Red Sandals
Style Notes: With tomato red trending and a pop of red serving as a statement accessory in its own right, it's no surprise that fashion people everywhere are leaning into red sandals this season. Whether you opt for a chic grey pair of barrel jeans or dark indigo blue, this hue contrasts so nicely against them.
Shop Red Sandals:
Even the thinnest straps make a statement when they're rendered in red.
A gorgeous option with a small heel for extra elegance.
Slides are a nice laidback choice to wear with barrel jeans too.
Red suede looks so plush.
3. Toe-Strap Sandals
Style Notes: There are endless variations on sandal straps, but one of the coolest to have poking out from under your barrel-leg jeans are toe-strap sandals. These subtly frame your foot and give your a different look than a flip-flop or slide. I love Kim's chic black and dark indigo combination worn with a bright white tie vest.
Shop Toe-Strap Sandals:
The definition of minimalism and similar to Kim's pretty sandals.
The burgundy shade is very chic, as is the gold hardware around the toe.
Brown suede always feels very high-end.
If you gravitate toward platform sandals, this pair ticks all the boxes.
4. Heeled Sandals
Style Notes: Heeled sandals make it possible to dress up barrel-leg jeans and give the shape plenty of room to shine. Whether you opt for a taller heel or a short kitten height, this sandal style is a necessity for the days when you want to make jeans totally wearable for nicer occasions. Marilyn has struck the perfect balance pairing her barrel jeans with a T-shirt and vintage-inspired heels.
Shop Heeled Sandals:
Patent finishes always stand out. These come in brown and bright, summery white too.
A shorter block heel always looks pretty but is wearable for long distances.
Khaite always releases covetable sandal silhouettes each year.
If you're a minimalist at heart after an investment to last you many seasons, Toteme's heeled flip-flops are the one.
5. Woven Sandals
Style Notes: When I think of materials that make me feel ready for the warmest season of all, options like rope or woven leather are certainly up there. A woven pattern is unique, brings plenty of texture to your outfit and looks great with barrel denim. For inspiration on how to excel at wearing these together, learn from Alice, who punctuated her chic white tonal outfit with woven brown sandals.
Shop Woven Sandals:
These have quickly earned a spot at the top of my summer shopping list. They make knotted textures look so sleek.
A très chic choice with woven and tied leather straps.
A great choice if you like a slingback style and the caged toe box of a fisherman sandal.
This pair has reminded me how elevated the right pair of slides can look.
Shop the Best Barrel-Leg Jeans
You'll find these in eight different colours, including this timeless dark indigo.
The barely-there faded wash gives these a unique detail.
Light wash denim is a given when it comes to spring and summer wardrobe staples.
If you love the beige and khaki denim trend, this pair is so perfect.
A mid wash and mid rise make these the Goldilocks of the jeans world.
I love how this style's material pools at the ground. I always think this looks so great over top of sandals.
These have a subtler barrel shape and come in petite lengths.
Coloured denim is trending this spring and chocolate brown is a nice foray into that. These come in light pink, too.
The combination of two fabrics make this pair of jeans really stand out.
Cinched and in a dark navy blue, these jeans from Levi's will work in so many outfits.