Barrel jeans have become one of my favorite denim silhouettes. they’re relaxed through the leg, taper slightly at the ankle, and look effortless and put-together at the same time. But the question I get most often is: “what shoes can I wear with them?”*

Because of their shape, barrel jeans can be a little tricky to style. The solution is pairing the curved, voluminous leg with shoes that ground the outfit and highlight your ankle or add just enough height.

So today I’m breaking down six pairs of shoes that I think complement barrel jeans perfectly!

If you prefer video content watch the reel HERE.

As usual, you can find everything I’m wearing (or similar pieces) linked under each photo! These are affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission if you purchase anything using them—thank you for supporting me and my content🤎

1. Mary Jane flats—I think a pair of Mary-Jane flats can go well with so many jeans! With barrel jeans, they bring a touch of femininity to the more masculine silhouette. 

Outfit linked HERE

2. Low profile sneakers— the low profile sneaker helps to balance out the wider fit of the barrel jeans by showing your ankle a bit.

Outfit linked HERE

3. Clogs (heeled or flat)—I’m a big fan of clogs in all styles! They go with so many types of pants and dresses and skirts! They go well with barrel jeans because they help balance the volume.

Outfit linked HERE

4. Heeled boots— I love a heeled boot as a dressier option. The heel obviously adds some height and visually lengthens the leg line. 

Outfit linked HERE

5. Slipper clogs—comfy and cute, I love these with barrel jeans! I feel like the bulkier shoe looks cute  with the volume of the barrel jeans.

Outfit linked HERE

6. Chelsea boots—I didn’t get a chance to add them in my video, but I also like to wear my Chelsea boots (Blundstones included!) with them. I know this may be a controversial opinion—because there is a lot of chatter around it making the legs too bulky—but I think the cropped fit of the jean and slim shaft of the boot look great together and it’s super fun functional! 

Outfit linked HERE

When it comes down to it, it’s all personal preference! There are NO hard and fast rules and you should really wear what you want to wear and what feels good.

What’s your favorite kind of shoes to wear with barrel jeans?

*this post is part of a series on what shoes to wear with what jeans, I’m calling it “The Jean & Shoe Guide”. I started with wide legs and you can find that post HERE.