From mom jeans and bootcuts to skinnies, flares and baggies – each of these staples comes with its own set of benefits and challenges. But the magic of barrel-leg jeans is that, for the first time in many seasons, there’s a whole new vision of denim that doesn’t feel referential.
What are balloon jeans?
To easily identify balloon jeans, it’s important to consider all the key elements of the silhouette. Start with a tight, high-waist that cinches in with the waistband and widens at the hip, tapering in at the hem. Like a more extreme version of the barrel jeans, the balloon jeans have a more voluminous shape that feels more sculptural. They can come in ankle-length, but also extend lower and scrunch at the bottom. The more extreme the shape, the better the final outcome, as its circular shape fits a lot of different body types and balances out volume on top, making it perfect for transitional layering.
Francesca Babbi/Launchmetrics
Continuing from the popularity of the barrel that emerged as a hit last spring, the styling of balloon jeans can sometimes feel tricky. But although it can seem daunting, they are a great alternative that will tie together your winter-to-spring look quite effortlessly.
Soft balloon jeans
For those who are new to the balloon silhouette and still have doubts about whether it’s the right silhouette for them, choose a less extreme version of the jean that feels more like a hybrid between a straight leg jean, a baggy and a barrel.