Alright, let’s talk barrel jeans. I jumped on that trend, got myself a pair, loved how comfy they were. But then winter rolled around, and suddenly I was standing in front of my closet totally stumped. What shoes do you even wear with these things when it’s cold and possibly gross outside? It became a bit of a mission for me, a real trial-and-error situation.
My first thought was just to grab my usual go-to winter footwear. So, I pulled out my old reliable, super flat, comfy ankle boots. You know, the ones that are great for everyday slush. Well, with the barrel jeans, it just looked… off. The wide leg of the jeans just sort of collapsed weirdly over the top of them. It wasn’t a good look. My feet looked kinda lost, and the jeans lost all their shape. Not the vibe I was going for.
My Shoe Experimentation Phase
So, I figured I had to get a bit more intentional. I literally started pulling out different types of shoes I owned, even some I hadn’t worn in ages, just to see what would happen when paired with these jeans. It was a bit of a mess in my bedroom for an afternoon, shoes everywhere.
Here’s a rundown of what I tried and what I thought:
- Standard Ankle Boots (with a slight heel): Okay, this was better. I found that boots with a bit of a heel, even a small block heel, helped. It gave a little lift and stopped the jeans from looking like they were puddling around my ankles. The trick, I discovered, was the shaft height. If the boot shaft was too short, there was this awkward gap between the jean hem and the top of the boot. If it was a bit taller and snugger, it could tuck nicely under the jean leg, or the jean could sit just over it. This started to feel more promising.
- Chunky Combat Boots: I had a pair of these lace-up, chunky-soled boots. I put them on, and honestly, I was surprised. The bulkiness of the boot actually balanced out the volume of the barrel leg really well. It gave the whole look a bit more of a grounded, intentional feel. Plus, they’re warm and practical for winter. This was a strong contender.
- Heeled Boots (more fitted): I tried some sleeker heeled boots, the kind that fit closer to the ankle. These worked pretty well too, especially if the jeans were slightly cropped. It created a nice silhouette. The main thing was making sure the top of the boot met the hem of the jeans smoothly.
- Sneakers: Now, for casual days, I wondered about sneakers. My super slim, low-profile ones? Not so great, same problem as the flat boots. But then I tried a pair of chunkier, more “dad-style” sneakers. And you know what? It kinda worked! Again, the volume of the shoe seemed to complement the wider leg. Definitely a more casual look, but not bad for running errands if it wasn’t too wet out.
- Loafers (with socks, obviously): This was a bit of a wildcard for winter. But I tried on some chunky loafers with thick, warm socks. For a milder winter day, this actually looked pretty cool. The socks are key here for warmth and to fill that ankle gap. Without socks, it felt too summery and my ankles would freeze.
What Definitely Didn’t Work For Me
So, what were the definite no-gos in my book? Well, anything too delicate or flat just got swallowed by the jeans. Ugg-style fluffy boots? Comfy for home, but with barrel jeans out and about, it just looked a bit… shapeless and clunky in a not-good way. Super pointy, stiletto-heeled shoes also felt a bit off with the more relaxed vibe of barrel jeans, especially for a practical winter outfit.
My Final Verdict and Go-To Choices
After all that mucking about, I’ve landed on a couple of favorites that I now reach for pretty consistently.
My top choice is a good pair of ankle boots with a bit of a block heel. The key is finding a pair where the shaft height works with the length of my barrel jeans – either tucking just under or meeting the hem cleanly. This feels put-together but still comfy and practical for most winter days.
My second go-to, especially if the weather is bad or I want a more rugged vibe, is chunky combat boots. They just work. They’re warm, they have good grip, and they balance the jeans perfectly. No fuss.
For those odd, less frigid winter days, or if I’m feeling a bit more fashion-forward, I do like the chunky loafers with some cozy, visible socks. It’s a bit more effort but a fun look.
So yeah, that was my journey into the world of barrel jeans and winter footwear. It took some tries, but I feel like I’ve got a handle on it now. Hopefully, my little experiment helps someone else out there staring at their shoes and jeans in confusion!
