What are barrel jeans? Shape, fit and styling

Barrel jeans are jeans with a rounded shape: wide through the thigh, narrowing again towards the ankle, often with a higher rise and a slightly cropped leg. From the side the silhouette looks like a barrel, hence the name. With us, this shape is called PNTS The O Shape.

Key points at a glance

• Barrel jeans are rounded through the thigh and taper towards the ankle.
• At ABOUT.ALEXA you will find the shape as PNTS The O Shape, in denim and as tailored trousers.
• With pleats and a shorter leg it is called The Jino O.
• Keep the top half calm: a plain top or a fine knit.
• PNTS runs rather small. It is best to try two sizes.

How are barrel jeans different from mom jeans and wide-leg jeans?

Mom jeans sit high and run straight or slightly tapered, without the curve at the thigh. Wide-leg jeans fall straight from waistband to hem and put a lot of fabric into the leg. Barrel jeans sit in between: they have volume in the middle and close in again at the ankle.

That makes them a good choice if straight jeans feel too strict and wide-leg jeans bring too much fabric.

Barrel jeans at ABOUT.ALEXA: The O Shape and The Jino O

PNTS The O Shape is rounded through the thigh, narrower at the ankle, with a higher rise and a slightly cropped leg. In store right now we have it in denim, for example as a five-pocket in light blue or in grey. As tailored trousers it comes as the O Shape Pleat Cord in beige with pleats.

PNTS The Jino O is the O Shape with pleats, a cropped leg and an elastic insert at the back of the waistband. It comes as jeans in dark blue and in fabrics such as herringbone or check.

How do I style barrel jeans?

Wide cuts need calm on top. A plain top or a fine knit works well with the O Shape. The trousers lead, and the look still stays clean.

In autumn a short jacket works well, because it keeps the shape of the trousers visible. You will find ideas in our guide How to style a bomber jacket.

Which size should I choose for PNTS barrel jeans?

With us, PNTS jeans come in waist sizes 25 to 31. PNTS runs rather small, so many customers try two sizes side by side. Online you can order two sizes and send back the one that does not fit.

The easiest way is a fitting in our boutique at Brauhausstraße 3-5 in Dortmund, where the shapes hang side by side. Read more about the cuts in What kind of brand is PNTS? and in our comparison of PNTS cuts.