15 To Shop: Barrel-Leg Jeans If Your Denim Style Isn’t Skinny, But Isn’t Baggy

Photo: Courtesy Of Aje

Ease into the coveted silhouette with minimalist cuts from St Agni and Nobody Denim, or experiment with more exaggerated shapes from Kahe and Karlaidlaw.

Words by Simone Richardson · Updated on 08 Jan 2026 · Published on 27 Aug 2025

Loose denim isn’t going anywhere. But trending cuts suggest we’ve begun our gradual tapering back toward skinny jeans (consider this your warning).

After its Australian Fashion Week display, curvaceous denim has since secured a place in many local designers’ spring collections – and it has legs to last for seasons to come.

What are barrel jeans, exactly? True to the name, the style curves like a barrel – cinched at the waist, roomy through the hips, and narrowing at the ankle. Horseshoe, bowleg or balloon jeans are other names of its kind. But whatever the title, the meaning remains: a quirky-but-cool cut that’s both directional and wearable. Here are 15 of our favourites to add to your wardrobe.

Broadsheet’s top picks

• Best overall: St Agni mid-rise balloon jeans, $291.75 (was $389)
• Best stretch style: Rolla’s Gigi barrel jeans, $111.96 (was 159.95)
• Best under $150: Aere Marla mid-rise barrel jeans, $130
• Best white barrel: Scanlan Theodore barrel leg jeans, $360
• Best alternative: Kahe Tell Me No V2 jeans, $395

The best barrel leg jeans to shop for spring

Assembly Label high-rise barrel jeans

$120

The days of grey denim are here. This pale-hued pair is a wearable style for spring, though it comes in four other washes, too. The Sydney-born label crafts these from 100 per cent cotton with a high-rise cinched cut that exaggerates the barrel silhouette. There’s also a matching shirt in each colour for dabblers of the double denim movement.

Sizes: 23–34 | Washes: Five | Materials: 100 per cent cotton

Buy at The Iconic Buy at Assembly Label

Neuw Nancy barrel jeans

$199.95

Crop it like it’s hot. Funky socks and smart shoes are welcome with Neuw’s ankle-grazing barrel jeans. The Melbourne-born label has Swedish roots, bringing a dose of Scandi minimalism to each of its denim designs – just like this pair, designed for everyday wear and seamless wardrobe pairing.

Sizes: 6–14 | Washes: Two | Materials: Cotton blend

Buy at The Iconic Buy at Neuw

Aje Stevie barrel jeans

$299

Previewed on the AFW runway , the Stevie feels like a natural evolution from the mom jeans we’ve all known and loved. They’re made from rigid denim and finished with Aje’s signature gold hardware. Take inspiration from the Sydney designer and pair with black leather for a modernised Grease-inspired look.

Sizes: 22–36 | Washes: Two | Materials: 100 per cent cotton

Buy at Aje

Kahe Tell Me No V2 jeans

$395

If we were to ever cross paths, there’s probably about a 75 per cent chance that I’d be in these jeans. The Tell Me No’s are easily one of the label’s most-loved designs – and for good reason. A shifted outseam and chap-esque profile bring fresh, original flair – the kind of experimental bent that’s become a brand signature at Kahe. Founder Kacy Heywood also co-runs Melbourne’s Error 404 store , a space with the same left-of-centre curation. Big ticks.

Sizes: XXS–XXXXL | Washes: Two | Materials: 100 per cent cotton

Buy at Kahe

St Agni mid-rise balloon jeans

$389

Trust St Agni for a minimalist take on the trend. If you’re still skeptical of a tapered ankle, this wide-leg style might win you over. It falls baggier than others on this list, with a more subtle ankle pinch thanks to a slanted side seam (rather than a knee dart). Silver hardware finishes the look with a style-forward touch.

Sizes: 24–32 | Washes: Five | Materials: 100 per cent organic cotton

Buy at The Iconic Buy at St Agni

Karlaidlaw x Gabriel Cole Iron Gate jeans

$330

If St Agni’s approach is minimalist, Karlaidlaw’s collab with Melbourne-based artist Gabriel Cole is maximalist. Designed for those jumping into the barrel silhouette feet first (and really, how else do you step into jeans?), the avant-garde duo nails the cut du jour. Shifted seams run down the centre of the leg, allowing the fabric to swell into an exaggerated flare before recoiling at the base – creating a striking contrast in shape. Naturally, they feature a low-rise waist, too.

Sizes: 28–40 | Washes: Four | Materials: Cotton

Buy at Karlaidlaw

Rolla’s Gigi barrel jeans

$159.95

Rolla’s is a trusty choice for hard-wearing denim. This high-rise style is made from a stretch cotton fabric that’s softer than more rigid options on this list – everyday comfort, hello. If you prefer a looser, oversized look, the label recommends sizing up.

Sizes: 5–16 | Washes: Nine | Materials: Cotton blend

Buy at The Iconic Buy at Rolla’s

Nobody Denim Vera jeans

$269

Local manufacturing is at the heart of Nobody Denim – so much so that you can follow each step of production, from fabric cutting to product labelling (spoiler: it’s all in Melbourne). The label’s take on the trending silhouette is crafted from 100 per cent organic cotton and features an exposed dart at the knee for directional edge.

Sizes: 24–34 | Washes: Five | Materials: 100 per cent organic cotton

Buy at The Iconic Buy at Nobody Denim

Friends With Frank The Emery denim trousers

$299

Spring invites a little more colour play – cream isn’t usually a winter staple, so when the weather warms, it’s time to shine. The local brand gives this style a carpenter edge with elongated back pockets. They’re also made from rigid denim for structure that holds and smartens up nicely with a contrasting black belt and loafers.

Sizes: XXS–XXL | Washes: Two | Materials: 100 per cent cotton

Buy at Friends With Frank

Aere Marla mid-rise barrel jeans

$130

Aere’s Marla is made for everyday wear – from weekend hangs to office days and even wine bar nights (strappy sandals encouraged, per the brand’s styling cues). The mid-rise, full-length cut makes them endlessly versatile – easy to dress up or down, wherever your plans take you.

Sizes: 6–18 | Washes: Three | Materials: 100 per cent cotton

Buy at The Iconic

Outland Denim Utah slouchy jeans

$329

Ethically made jeans are Outland Denim’s forte. The brand was Australia’s first denim label to achieve B-Corp certification – and its ethos still holds strong. The Utah is made from premium rigid denim in a slouchier silhouette than others on this list. As far as black barrel-leg jeans go, these get our tick of approval.

Sizes: 24–34 | Washes: Two | Materials: Organic cotton blend

Buy at The Iconic Buy at Outland Denim

Scanlan Theodore barrel leg jeans

$360

White barrel jeans are set to be this summer’s denim. For a chalky wash, Scanlan Theodore is our go-to. Voluminous enough to feel on-trend, yet sophisticated for smarter occasions, they make versatile styling heroes. Pair with crisp shirting for monochrome polish, or contrast with a black tee, belt and loafers for casual daytime styling.

Sizes: 22–30 | Washes: Two | Materials: Cotton blend

Buy at Scanlan Theodore

Henne Zeva jeans

$269

Shake up your denim rotation with a new type of wash. Chocolate continues to hold sway in fashion, and if you feel like you wear nothing but jeans, this warm, rich hue offers a refreshing alternative. Layer with mahogany merino knits now, then coffee-coloured tees once the weather warms.

Sizes: 22–34 | Washes: Two | Materials: 100 per cent cotton

Buy at Henne

Alpha 60 Dalton jeans

$229

Dark wash, subtle seam detailing and just the right amount of curve – it’s styles like this that’ve sealed my barrel-leg allegiance. A rust-hued stitch across the knee adds original edge and contrasts beautifully with silver hardware. Take prompts from the Melbourne-born indie label and pair with leather sandals in summer, or switch them with sneakers for everyday ease.

Sizes: 22–34 | Washes: Two | Materials: 100 per cent cotton

Buy at Alpha 60

Camilla and Marc Lennox jeans

$350

Camilla and Marc might be best known for its suiting, but the same precise tailoring carries through to the label’s denim. This pair sits high on the waist before tapering into a clean barrel silhouette – no extra darts or detailing necessary. You can find them in classic blue at The Iconic (currently 30 per cent off) or in ink black direct from the brand.

Sizes: 24–34 | Washes: Two | Materials: 100 per cent cotton

Buy at The Iconic Buy at Camilla and Marc

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About the author

Simone is Broadsheet's shopping editor.