I’ll admit it: when I first saw barrel-leg jeans, I wasn’t entirely convinced. The shape is a little unusual, after all; it’s bold, sculptural and unlike anything else in my wardrobe. When wearing them, I thought, my legs would surely just resemble a banana.

But exaggerated denim silhouettes have a way of surprising you. Since Alaïa’s autumn/winter 2023 show, barrel-leg jeans have been showing up on the catwalks and street style roundups. That the likes of Julianne Moore, Sienna Miller and Katie Holmes have been seen wearing them is only further proof that high-waisted denim with bold shapes has serious staying power.

And once you try on a pair for yourself (Uniqlo’s, ideally, if you can get your hands on them – though they’re swiftly selling out) and style them, they make more sense than you’d think. And dare I say, they might even be easier to wear than your go-to straight-leg pair.

If you’ve had similar reservations about barrel-leg jeans but are still eager to tap into this spring’s latest trend, keep scrolling. I’ve put together a handy guide packed with outfit inspiration and wardrobe tips on how to style them this season.

What to wear with barrel-leg jeans? Here are 3 easy ways to style them this season