Is this the sisterhood of the travelling pants? When four Woman’s Day team members discovered we all owned the same pair of jeans, we couldn’t help but swap notes. Why? Because the Rolla’s Gigi Barrel are, in our opinion, the hottest pair of jeans for 2025.
Shop the Rolla’s Gigi Barrel Jeans at rollasjeans.com.
Why barrel leg jeans are having a moment
The barrel leg silhouette has steadily gained traction since Alaïa’s 2023 Paris Fashion Week runway. Also known as horseshoe jeans, Vogue describes the barrel leg as an “exaggerated shape that curves off the hip and then boomerangs back in at the ankle, creating a banana-like silhouette.”
A breath of fresh air for millennials who grew up wearing skinny jeans, the barrel leg silhouette is a surprisingly flattering departure. They’re a gateway to baggy jeans, but in a way that feels put together.
Of course, as with any trend, opinions are divided. In the r/AusFemaleFashion Reddit forum, one user posted a thread titled ‘Rant – Barrel Leg Jeans’, questioning their appeal: “Does anyone actually like them? I feel like this is an ’emperor’s new clothes’ situation for sure.”
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Responses to the thread were mixed. Some users praised the design for its architectural interest and rejection of conventional dressing norms, particularly the idea of dressing to please the male gaze. Others, however, felt the silhouette distorted body proportions, favouring traditional denim styles.
The low-down on the Rolla’s Gigi Barrel Jeans
The Rolla’s Gigi Barrel are high-rise jeans that balance structure and comfort. Slightly cropped at the ankle (or full-length if you’re small in stature), they’re versatile enough to suit various body types and styling preferences. Wear them true to size for a relaxed fit or size up for a more exaggerated, fashion-forward look.
And with a price tag under $200 (with the Forever Blue rinse on sale for $76 at rollasjeans.com), the Gigi Barrel proves that elevated style doesn’t have to break the bank.
Our take on 2025’s most trending jeans:
Hemma Vara, Shopping Editor
Gigi Barrel in Forever Black, $172.54 at rollasjeans.com
Why I love them
As a former devotee of skinny jeans, I never thought I’d embrace baggy denim. But fashion is cyclical, and so is personal style. I first fell for the barrel leg trend in 2024, but after trying on the Citizens of Humanity horseshoe jean and finding that their exaggerated shape swamped my frame, I searched high and low for a pared-back alternative.
Enter the Rolla’s Gigi Barrel. I now own them in three colours (Forever Black, Forever Blue and Super Rinse) and wear them constantly, unless I’m in the mood for a straighter silhouette, in which case I reach for my Abrand A Carrie jean.
How they fit and feel
At 161cm tall, the cropped length of the Gigi Barrel skims perfectly over my shoes—no hemming required.
The Forever Black pair, crafted from 98% cotton, are thick with a rigid, structured feel that hold their shape beautifully. My Forever Blue pair, with 72% cotton and 27% polyester, feature a lighter denim with more stretch. Both are incredibly comfortable, perfect for crouching down to pick up my toddler without worrying about a wardrobe malfunction.
How I style them
At work, I dress my Gigi jeans up with a leather belt and kitten heels. On weekends, they pair effortlessly with my favourite chunky trainers, the New Balance 9060s.
Anna Lee, Beauty Editor
Gigi Barrel in Vintage White, $172.54 at rollasjeans.com
Why I love them
The instant I saw them, the words slipped out before I could stop myself: “Ohh, I love your jeans. Where are they from?” Hemma was wearing the cool-girl jean of the moment. Everyone from Gigi Hadid to Serena Williams has been spotted in barrel jeans – and I wanted in.
I braced myself for the reply, expecting them to be ridiculously expensive or sold out. Instead, they were affordable, in stock, and just a couple of clicks away. Dangerous.
The Gigi Barrel are effortless, cool and comfy, and a little bit polarising in the Are Media office. Your Home and Garden editor Fiona Hawtin, for example, makes no secret of her distaste for baggy jeans (they rank right up there with Crocs). But that only adds to the appeal. A touch of fashion friction keeps things interesting.
How they fit
I usually wear a size 24, but ended up with a 25. They’d sold out of 24s online, and in a classic case of fashion delusion – mixed with a mild panic that the 25s would disappear too – I convinced myself that sizing up would give me that slouchy, “just threw these on” look.
Spoiler: I was wrong. These jeans are already engineered for that perfectly relaxed, slightly oversized silhouette. I knew it the moment they arrived, but I wasn’t quite bothered enough to go through the faff of returning them, and definitely not bothered enough not to wear them.
Excess fabric aside, they still make a valiant attempt to hug my non-existent bum, which is honestly more than I could have hoped for.
They also earn bonus points for not needing to be hemmed, meaning I practically made an extra $30. In fact, I was so sold on the silhouette that I even went back for more, this time with the Abrand 95 Mid Barrel Jean.
How I style them
It’s all about balance. These jeans bring structure and volume, so I keep it clean up top – a slim-fit tee or a tucked-in singlet to counteract the proportions. Essential when you’re 5’2 and flirting with being swallowed whole. They’re multi-taskers that work just as well dressed down with sneakers on the weekend, as they do with a boot to up the ante or a pump when an event calls for a little more polish. They also hit that sweet spot for every millennial (hi) still swearing by the timeless “jeans and a nice top” dress code.
Nicola Feeney, Art Director
Gigi Barrel in Forever Blue, $76 (usually $150.94) at rollasjeans.com
Why I love them
I spotted a fellow mom courtside (in a sea of middle-aged moms in mom jeans) wearing barrel-leg jeans at netball, and I really loved her cute yet casual vibe. Naturally, I went straight to the shops to try on some jeans and settled on the Rolla’s Gigi Barrel. I felt the leg was less exaggerated compared to other styles. The Abrand options, on the other hand, made me look positively bandy-legged!
The barrel jean bug is now catching on in my house. My teenage daughter is also rocking the Gigi Barrel in Forever Black, pairing them with her platform Ugg Tazz slippers. And me? I’m already eyeing up another pair in Super Rinse.
How they fit and feel
I’m 5ft4 and usually a size 28 in jeans, but I sized down to a 26, and the fit is snug yet comfy. The length is perfect, sitting just above my ankles.
What I love about the Rolla’s Gigi Barrel is how they cinch in nicely at the waist, offering roominess through the thighs while tapering beautifully at the ankle. The Forever Blue denim is soft and has plenty of give. Comfort is key, after all!
How I style them
I wear my Gigi Barrel jeans with a cardigan, ballet flats, or pointed-toe ankle boots for work. I pair them with a slouchy tee, a cozy jumper, and sneakers on weekends. I’ve even dusted off my white Converse All Star High Tops because…well, why not?!
Sarah Templeton, Commercial Editor
Gigi Barrel in 80s Black, $169.99 at Service Denim
Why I love them
I’ve been hunting for nice barrel jeans for ages, and our Shopping Editor (Hemma, featured, certified GIGIS FAN™ ) suggested the Rolla’s Gigi Barrel to me. I popped out to buy cotton pads at the mall on my lunch break on a random Tuesday and came back with these. Riddle me that. But I have absolutely no regrets; these are the Holy Grail jeans I’ve been looking for.
Colour-wise, I wanted a pair of off-black that didn’t take me back to my Fall Out Boy fangirl high school days, so the 80s Black rinse fit the bill perfectly. I’m also going to get them in Forever Blue (just to copy Hemma and Nicola completely).
How they fit and feel
I am small in the waist, big in the butt and thighs and the fit of these is perfect. They feel nicely cinched in across the tummy (without being TIGHT), but with a nice amount of give in the legs when sitting at my desk. They’re barrel but not so barrel that I look like an extra in Yellowstone.
The best part for me is that, while thanks to my short legs and long torso, I usually have to get every pair of jeans hemmed, these are the perfect length, hitting just at my ankle.
How I style them
On the weekend, I dress them up with a nice top and heels, while during the week they’re appropriate with my trusty New Balance sneakers and a blazer or oversized jumper.
Which colours do the Rolla’s Gigi Barrel jeans come in?
The Rolla’s Gigi Barrel Jeans come in a range of colours and fabrics to suit every style:
Denim
- Brad Blue (81% Cotton, 16% Polyester, 2% Viscose & 1% Elastane)
- Forever Black (98% Australian Cotton & 2% Elastane)
- Vintage White (99% Cotton & 1% Elastane)
- Forever Blue (72% cotton, 27% polyester & 1% elastane)
- Country Blue (99% Cotton & 1% Elastane)
- Helena Rinse (81% Cotton, 16% Polyester, 2% Viscose & 1% Elastane)
Coloured cord
- Oxblood (100% cotton)
Stretch drill
- Trade Nutmeg (98% Cotton & 2% Elastane)
Where can I buy the Rolla’s Gigi Barrel jeans in New Zealand?
As certified Gigi lovers, we’ve done the legwork to find where you can bag the hottest jeans of 2025:
- rollasjeans.com: Available in Brad Blue, Oxblood, Trade Nutmeg, Forever Black, Vintage White, Forever Blue, Country Blue, Super Rinse
- The Iconic: Available in Brad Blue, Oxblood, Trade Nutmeg, Forever Black, Forever Blue, Country Blue, Super Rinse
- Revolve: Available in Brad Blue, Super Rinse
Alternatives to the Rolla’s Gigi Barrel
Not sold on the Gigi? Here are some alternatives, all under $200:
Abrand Jeans 95 Mid Barrel Jean Tara
Aere Mid-Rise Barrel Leg Jeans
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