Until last year I was a strictly straight leg cut of jean kinda woman. I'm naturally slim, and believed any other cut would swamp me. But then barrel leg jeans came along and changed everything about how I wear and think about jeans.
My favourite pairs come from Citizens of Humanity and Marks & Spencer. But now, M&S has gone and upgraded their barrel jean with such a clever tweak I couldn't not buy into it, immediately.
But let's back up here for a minute, so I can explain why a barrel jean works, why I converted, and why M&S new shape jean is already bought and on its way to me.
A barrel-leg jean fits at the waist and has a voluminous curved - or barrel - shaped leg that tapers in at the ankle. The shape allows me to wear a baggier cut without my frame being swamped, its creates shape where I don't have it, and allows my shoes to be visible, which I prefer over a puddle of denim covering them.
On my curvier friends a barrel cut is equally flattering - and it's all down to the taper at the ankle which creates an overall impression of slenderness whether you are slim or curvy. Really they are a miracle cut for all body shapes.
Had I not tried barrel jeans on in person, I wouldn't have known how flattering they are, which goes go to show - sometimes you've just got to give new things a go!
So what exactly is it about the new M&S barrel jean? Or should I say "mid rise dart detail barrel jeans' because this is how M&S describe them, and it is precisely this dart detail which makes them brilliant.
They are cut from dark denim - side-note: both tailoring and sleek and pristine dark denim are back for autumn - and this jean has been refined to reflect both trends.
The first set of darts are placed as they would be on trousers from the waist to the hips, creating a more fitted shape, and also - and this is the real power tweak - they've been centrally darted from above the ankle to the knee to create a slimmer shape through the lower leg. And it is this that makes them a chic upgrade from last autumn's 'Barrel 1.0'.
M&S Barrel 2.0 is basically more flattering, smarter, and better suited to polished accessories than the originals. I'll be wearing mine with cute silk blouses, crisp cotton shirts and tailored jackets, and best of all they will work with a chic pointy toed shoe or boot. These are definitely a chic upgrade.
Currently the darted barrel jeans are available in a dark indigo denim, but I expect more shades to come online soon. The dark denim pair shared here are currently available in petite, regular or long lengths and in sizes from 8-20. The inclusivity and range of sizes emphasises how these jeans are designed suit any shape or height.
At just £48, they tick every box from affordability, to quality and versatility. Thank you M&S.
Now we just have to play M&S bingo, to see how long they stay in stock.
