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Here's How I Pull Off Barrel Jeans as a 5'1" Petite

Balance is key

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How to Wear Barrel Jeans as a Petite: Editor Stephanie Maida wearing barrel jeans three ways, collage
Stephanie Maida/Getty/Dasha Burobina/PureWow

Skinny, straight-leg, wide-leg, flare—you probably thought you’ve seen it all in terms of the denim trend cycle. After all, how many forms could a pair of jeans possibly take? Well, as it turns out, one more: barrel! In 2024, barrel-leg jeans seemingly came out of nowhere and, despite the debate surrounding their shape, quickly took closets by storm. The unique silhouette, which curves out through the middle of the leg and tapers in at the ankle, essentially creates a bow-legged effect that, for some, can actually be super flattering. (See this former PureWow editor’s review, in which she raved about how the pants balanced her wide hips.) But could the polarizing style work for petites? I, a 5’1” fashionista, set out to find out. 

The first time I saw barrel-leg jeans out in the wild, I’ll be honest, I was not a fan. However, the more frequently they appeared on my social feeds, the more I warmed up to them. I liked the way they added drama and structure to otherwise basic ensembles, while still feeling cool and relaxed. The voluminous shape still seemed tricky for a gal of my stature to pull off, but, never one to shy away from a challenge, I bit the bullet and picked up two highly rated pairs from my favorite petite-friendly denim retailers: the Madewell darted barrel jeans ($148) and the Abercrombie & Fitch mid-rise barrel jeans ($90; $68), both of which come in short lengths ideal for my height. 

The shape certainly brought me out of my comfort zone, but after a little trial and error, I figured out the best ways to style my barrel jeans as a petite—and now I truly can’t get enough of ‘em. If you’re a fellow shortie looking to give this trend a try, read on for the styling rules I swear by.

12 of the Best Barrel Jeans, Vetted by Editors


How to Wear Barrel Jeans as a Petite: Editor Stephanie Maida in Pink top looking down
Stephanie Maida/Getty/Dasha Burobina/PureWow

1. Nail the Length

I am all too familiar with the struggle of finding pants that don’t pool at my feet or drag on the ground, so in order to avoid constant trips to the tailor, I now look for bottoms that are available specifically in petite lengths (like the ones I show off here from Madewell and Abercrombie). In the case of barrel jeans, wearing the right length is especially important, as the shape’s widest point is meant to hit at the knee, with its slimmest point coming in at the ankle. If the proportions are off or the hem is dragging, the pants are just going to look like they’re too big. If you’re 5’4” or under, you’ll want to look for styles with an inseam between 24 and 26 inches, which should yield a perfect fit through the leg sans any hemming. 

How to Wear Barrel Jeans as a Petite: Editor Stephanie Maida in floral top and barrel jeans
Stephanie Maida/Getty/Dasha Burobina/PureWow

2. Wear a Fitted Top

If half an outfit is oversized, the other half should be more tailored. It’s a flattering formula for most body types, but one that’s a must if you’re petite. Why? Well, looser, wider styles can easily overwhelm our frames and cause us to look even smaller, so head-to-toe volume tends to work against us. To counter the exaggerated structure of a barrel jean, it’s best to show off at least part of your figure with a more form-fitting top (or my alternative go-to, a bodysuit). 

How to Wear Barrel Jeans as Petite: Editor Stephanie Maida in black top and barrel jeans
Stephanie Maida/Getty/Dasha Burobina/PureWow

3. Display the Waist

To that end, I suggest going for either tucked-in or cropped tops that keep the waistband of the jeans visible. Not only will this create a nice hourglass effect, it will also make your legs look longer, particularly if the waistband hits higher on your torso. As a petite, it’s all about using proportion to our advantage. One caveat, however, is that many barrel jeans are designed to be sort of slouchy and low-slung; to get a snug fit at the waist that allows it to sit higher, I actually went down one size from my usual (though I think I could’ve even gotten away with two).

How to Wear Barrel Jeans as a Petite: Editor Stephanie Maida in off-the-shoulder top and barrel jeans
Stephanie Maida/Getty/Dasha Burobina/PureWow

4. Show Off Your Shoulders

In general, an off-the-shoulder neckline is a great pick for us shorties, since it draws the eye upward and makes our necks look longer (therefore making us look taller). But the silhouette is especially beneficial when paired with barrel jeans. Here’s why: Accentuating the shoulders adds width to your top half, which is then able to balance out the wide cut of the bottoms. The result? An overall harmonious and proportional look that makes the barrel shape appear less overpowering on your frame.  

How to Wear Barrel Jeans as a Petite: Editor Stephanie Maida in black top and barrel jeans comparing pointed toe shoes to loafers
Stephanie Maida/Getty/Dasha Burobina/PureWow

5. Pair with Pointy Shoes

If there’s one shoe shape every short girl should have multiples of in her closet, it’s le pointed-toe. The sleek, sharp point elongates the legs and creates the illusion of extra height—and that’s a must when you have wide-cut bottoms like these working against you. While opting for some sort of heel (even a kitten) is also a smart move here, I find that heel height actually matters less than choosing a pointy shoe that shows off the top of the foot, like a low-cut pump or slingback. The idea is that more skin equals more length, but you can judge for yourself in the contrast above. 


stephanie maida

Senior Commerce Editor

  • Oversees PureWow's coverage of sales and deals, celebrity commerce and new launches across categories
  • Has worked as a writer and editor for 10+ years
  • Studied journalism at New York University

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