Angie's Blog

Quick Balloon Jeans Try-On (Pics)

March 5, 2021

I'm showing you these quickly so that it's in time for trends week on YLF. Threw them on with a new Boden cardigan so that you could see that too. 

These are from Everlane, and called the "Arc Jean". They are a very balloon-y jean. Raw and stiff, and to my eye architectural, and with a strong Japanese integrity. Very fitted on the seat, hips and waist. Voluminous everywhere else. An acquired taste, and I know not everyone's cuppa!  

I LOVE them, and love my new Boden cropped cardigan too. I'm in '80s heaven.....but this time without the gigantic shoulder pads :)

They are not photogenic jeans because of how the light dances on the rigid denim and creates extra folds. (Badly lit bedroom too). They look better in person. I'm also deliberatly standing awkwardly to show you the barrel shape! But I tried to take a few accurate pics in case they tickle your fancy. They fit perfectly, and are very comfy. 

TTS. Not soft. Come in black. I'm not wearing them today, but will soon! 

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Posted in the What I Wore category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

77 Comments

  • Joyce B replied 3 years ago

    Those are fab on you. I think the short topper is key to making balloon pants work.

  • Angie replied 3 years ago

    Joyce B, thanks! I agree about the short top - (or tucked top) - for my own figure flattering priorities because these are very balloon-y, and I am slight. Need to add a good bit of structure. Sharan showed us well an untucked and semi-tucked top worked with her balloon jeans though :)

  • ChristelJ replied 3 years ago

    Angie, I love them. They are unique, dressy and casual all at once. Of course you have the perfect short jackets to go with them. I ordered these jeans earlier today, too. Wish me luck- I usually am a slow adopter of new denim styles but really hoping they work for me even half as well as they do for you. How fun and right in line with your energy and crisp style!

  • Helena replied 3 years ago

    These look great on you Angie, and suit your 80s inspired style so well!

  • Minaminu replied 3 years ago

    Beautiful smile as always!

    it's an unusual shape and they make you look extra tall! Thanks goodness the gigantic shoulder pads will not come back!

  • Angie replied 3 years ago

    Thanks, Helena! I'm soooo sentimental....

    ChristelJ, you are so nice. Thank you! I hope they work for you too. Eager to know how you will style them. 

    Minaminu, thank you. The high waist and short top lengthens my leg line. It's an optical illusion because my legs aren't that long. Regular length. 

  • LaPed replied 3 years ago

    They look great, Angie! Perfect 80s cardigan too. I've been looking at the Arc Pant for months, but Everlane hasn't released them in a colour I want yet. There's a canvas version as well as a denim version. 

  • Angie replied 3 years ago

    La Ped, YES. I saw the pants version, and like the white. How about the toffee for you? 

  • Mirjana replied 3 years ago

    WOW, WOW Angie the balloon jeans are terrific on you. The cardigan is beautiful, every item is great. You look amazing and so sweet.

  • Irina replied 3 years ago

    You look great, very fashion forward! :)
    I love these jeans and am very into Everlane at the moment. I ordered Utility Barrel leg in cream and will report once it’s here.

  • Angie replied 3 years ago

    Thanks, sweet and gracious Mirjana :)

    Irina, YES. I can see you in the black. This is my fourth pair of Everlane jeans. They are sustainably and ethically manufactured too. Their tops seldom work for me, but their bottoms are good. Let me know about their Utility Barrel Leg!

  • replied 3 years ago

    Well they are absolutely PERFECT on and for you, Angie.  A great, fashion forward look.  With your body type and very slim frame, you can rock this look.  I can't see how you won't get a ton of wear out of them!

  • MsMary replied 3 years ago

    I kind of love these! I have the BR ones on their way to me and I hope they look half as good as they do on you!

  • Runcarla replied 3 years ago

    Well I like them very much.  Are they coated?  I quite like how they reflect the light

  • Vildy replied 3 years ago

    Jaunty!

  • Suz replied 3 years ago

    I love them!! I just might need a pair....

    I wonder if they will work, though, for my long rise. I will check the measurements. In jeans that are very snug on the bum/ waist, that is sometimes a sticking point (haha) for me. 

  • Angie replied 3 years ago

    Lisa P, thank you! I think I'll wear them a lot....when I'm not wearing dressy pants. So into dressy pants these days ;)

    Mary, hope the BR pair work out. Let us know. Exciting! 

    Carla, not coated. Just stiff and rigid, IYKWIM. 

    Vildy, :)

  • Bonnie replied 3 years ago

    These balloon jeans are perfect on you and look fab with your sweater. 

  • Angie replied 3 years ago

    Suz, I can see you in them! I know what you mean about the "sticking point", but I think these will work. Very loose thigh fit. 

    Thank you, sweet and gracious bonnie :)

  • RobinF replied 3 years ago

    They look amazing on you! Who would've thought they'd make your legs look so long? Such an 80's look too!

  • rachylou replied 3 years ago

    Totally fun! They make you look so tall!!

  • Sal replied 3 years ago

    Gorgeous on you Angie. Will you choose Duran Duran or Depeche Mode to listen to?

    Fantastic modern 80s look.

  • Stagiaire Fash replied 3 years ago

    So cool to see how this cut works on different body types. I’m still contemplating a pair for myself. It seems that “short” is part of the look. I’d have to see if I felt right in that (traumatized by “floods” in grade school, lol)

  • replied 3 years ago

    I like them a lot!  It's a fresh look, and very fun for spring/summer.

  • nuancedream replied 3 years ago

    They're sure fun and style works best with a dash of whimsy! I wasn't and still am not a big fan of 1980s fashion, but I have to admit those jeans look great on you, Angie.

  • slim cat replied 3 years ago

    The shape and more importantly the slight almost sheen fabric work so well for you - fab styling as usual ;) ! Very fresh and modern look!

  • Angie replied 3 years ago

    Thanks for the kind words. 

    RobinF and Rachy, it's an optical illusion. The silhouette is leg-lengthening somehow. Unexpected!

    Sal, those are my favourite '80s bands so SORTED!  ;)

    FashIntern, no harm in trying the silhouette. 

    Xatabay, Slimcat and Nuancedream, I appreciate the compliments.

  • Kate replied 3 years ago

    Oh gosh, those are adorable. I need to practice restraint....

  • Tanya replied 3 years ago

    The jeans are stunning on you, Angie.  Very fashion-forward, and good fit for your fashion persona.  I really like your new cardigan, worn as a top, too.

    I have an old patterned cardigan I have saved to wear exactly like that when the fashion cycles through, and it seems that the time is now.  But I will be admiring the jeans on you and others, as they do not fit my fashion persona, whose main descriptor is "sleek".

  • Jenn replied 3 years ago

    They remind me a bit of your old jodhpur jeans...not quite as edgy, but a similar structural vibe.

  • Angie replied 3 years ago

    Tanya, thank you, and good that you hung onto that short cardigan. Great for skirts too :)

    Jenn, good memory! Those were notorious jeans, and my absolute faves. They are threadbare, but I cannot part with them......too many incredible memories. 

  • Molly Mac replied 3 years ago

    I bought these in the fall. I have a completely different body type but I really like how they fit me as well. I haven’t worn them much because I wear scrubs at work, joggers at home, and don’t go anywhere else. I am hoping this style lasts for a while so I can get more wear out of them once things start to open up.

  • Jonesy replied 3 years ago

    You look fab! The stiffness and sheen really heightens the effect of the shape--they will turn heads when you wear them, I'm guessing!

  • smittie replied 3 years ago

    Yes, Japanese vibes!

  • Joy replied 3 years ago

    Those pants were made with you in mind. Now you need to wear the outfit with the citron jacket to NY Fashion Week.

  • replied 3 years ago

    Incredible! Your balloon jeans are a piece of artwork! The cardigan is definitely a dream cloud! I am smiling from ear to ear :)

  • Lynette replied 3 years ago

    Oh my goodness! So stinkin’ cute! I loooove these on you! I wonder if they would camouflage my thighs or just emphasize them. I may have to give them a try!

  • Greyscale replied 3 years ago

    I just got these too, in the black denim, which has a slight sheen to the finish though not quite as interesting as the blue denim of yours. I love them! I could have sized down but they sold out of the smaller size and canceled that part of my order, so I stuck with the larger of my two usual sizes.

    I have their barrel pants as well -- I'd say they're more conventionally flattering on me, but the fabric is less interesting, a washed black twill.

    My only sadness is that they don't offer them in a short length option. I could hem them, but they'd lose the shape.

  • Karie replied 3 years ago

    Super cute ‘80s fabulousness!

  • Echo replied 3 years ago

    I'm surprising myself by really loving these! The slight sheen on the fabric and the shape is very unusual and flattering at the same time. I wasn't aware of shapes like this! 

  • N replied 3 years ago

    These look great on you!

  • anchie replied 3 years ago

    They look great on you. Such a fun look! Love the cardigan too.
    I can’t imagine them on me yet, it will probably take me sometime to adjust to the look on myself, I am not early adopter.

  • Jenni NZ replied 3 years ago

    They look great on you Angie. I might have had some similar shaped pants in the mid 80s but I weighed about 18 kg less than I do now. I will have to check old photos. Don’t think I will be joining in! Fun to see them styled.

  • Brooklyn replied 3 years ago

    They are super cute. I still have my balloon jeans from last year (washed black but I wish they were true black). I do think they look better in person than they photograph. And they are super comfy of course. But yours look great even in photographs!

  • Bijou replied 3 years ago

    I love these on you, such a beautiful fit. They do have a Japanese look to them, especially in that uniform indigo colour.

  • kkards replied 3 years ago

    Oh, I’m having an 80s The Gap flash back...gosh these are great. I love them...wondering as the weather heats up and boots are too much, what footwear would you wear aside from the high tops? 

  • auditorycortex replied 3 years ago

    These look beautiful and I bet they feel great, too.  I love stiff pants!  It's a reminder that you're wearing high-quality fabric. :)

  • Stagiaire Fash replied 3 years ago

    Posted a thread of pants from my cellar that I was thinking might scratch this “relaxed legs” itch. But looking at the pix I see that they don’t have that taper these do in pic 2. Not sure about them...

  • replied 3 years ago

    Your legs look miles long! I thought of the jodhpur jeans too!

  • nemosmom replied 3 years ago

    Wow wow wow!  You look amazing in these!  And, you've got the proportion-perfection thing DOWN!

  • Debbie replied 3 years ago

    I love them on you. The first thing that come to my mind was they make you look taller. Always a good thing in my book. I am going to try a pair.

  • Angie replied 3 years ago

    Thanks for the positive reactions, everyone! :)

    Molly Mac and Greyscale, great that these worked for you too. I hope you model them for us!

    Nikki, that's so nice :)

    Bijou, YES. The dark raw blue makes them even more Japanese-looking. 

    Karie, go Team '80s! You get it.

    Brooklyn, LOVE your balloon jeans.

    Jonesy, what a wonderful surprise. Miss you around here! 

    kkards, I will wear them with low top sneakers, ballet flats, and loafers when it warms up. That's all I wear on my feet, so it's easy! 

    Lynette and Debbie, YAY! Try them too. 

  • Nadya replied 3 years ago

    LOVE! The silhouette and raw denim are just fab. So glad you found them for yourself. 

  • Sloper replied 3 years ago

    #9 please!

    I'm fondly remembering some Fiorucci cords from back in the day.

  • Jaime replied 3 years ago

    Add me to the fan list! I would have thought they needed the waist exposed to tame the volume but you have proven me wrong. They are perfect every which way!

  • CocoLion replied 3 years ago

    I like the way you blended the avant grade vibe of these architectural pants, with your modern classic style.  The way you can pull off the latest trends without looking like they're wearing you, shows your expertise and talent!

    I might of missed this elsewhere, but how are they when seated or bending?

  • Janet replied 3 years ago

    You can wear these styles so well! I'd look comical in them but they sure do suit you beautifully. Well done! 

  • Laura (rhubarbgirl) replied 3 years ago

    Yikes. Enjoy them, Angie. It’s going to take me a while to adjust my eye. I remember how darn uncomfortable some 100% cotton, heavyweight denim was - stiff and unbending.

  • LaPed replied 3 years ago

    Angie, the toffee felt a little too bright for me, but I have the Utility version in "rosewood" in my cart! Potentially a matching set with last year's cardigan...

  • Angie replied 3 years ago

    Thanks for the kind words, everyone!

    Cocolion, did the sit-down and bending test. Comfy. No problem :)

    Laura, I'm soooo enjoying them.

    Shevia, keeping the hips uncovered adds just enough structure!

    Oooh, La Ped. I'm loving that rosewood column of colour for you :)

  • Renee P replied 3 years ago

    You definitely have the figure to pull that look off.

  • lyn67 replied 3 years ago

    Great fit and so cheery, indeed! Predict they will be a worty replacement for the once you've had the jodhpur jeans!:-)

  • Jules replied 3 years ago

    Love them, so fun!

  • Laura replied 3 years ago

    The architectural silhouette is perfect for you! They remind me of your beloved jodhpur jeans from long ago in their sculptural integrity. Rock on, fellow 80s lover!

  • Angie replied 3 years ago

    Thanks, everyone! 

    LOVING the multiple references to my old and notorious jodhpur jeans. My faves of all time :)

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 3 years ago

    These look super cool on you, Angie. They work nicely for you with that polished look the denim has, too; they look crisp.

  • Inge replied 3 years ago

    I loooove these so much!! They look amazing, Angie, and your new cardigan is gorgeous too!

  • judy replied 3 years ago

    Love these jeans on you, Angie! They have a great architectural shape.  Now I want them too!

  • Angie replied 3 years ago

    Thank you so much :)

  • Cardiff girl replied 3 years ago

    This is so interesting.You look fabulous in this cut.l have tried a pair on as I am really drawn to this type of Jean but although I am probably a size or three bigger than you l looked like a waif and stray in them.l am guessing it probably depends on how much volume there is in the leg and where the max volume is situated on the leg?
    Anyway you have obviously found a very flattering pair.For me the hunt continues.

  • shiny replied 3 years ago

    Those are so cute on you!!

  • Deborah replied 3 years ago

    I really like the look of these but my sense is that they are going to be more challenging for shorter girls to style. I can see that I would need some height to combat or balance the volume. And I would want to play off the shape of the pants with a short or tucked top to bring the waist in. Despite all that I’m keen to try a pair on x

  • Christina F. replied 3 years ago

    So cute!

    I want to try a pair too, but I'm wary for the reasons Deborah states. That said, sometimes it's surprising what will work on a person, and trying new stuff is fun.

  • Eliza replied 3 years ago

    Love these on you! Such elegant architecture and with your citron jacket, they really knock me over. Appreciate seeing them on; they read extra luxe. Enjoy them.

  • Angie replied 3 years ago

    Thanks for the kind words!

    Debbie is petite and rocks her new balloon jeans! Look:

    https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....loon-jeans

    ChristelJ too: 

    https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....loon-jeans

    Try a petite size, maybe.

    Debs my dear, you are the last person on earth to battle with styling volume ;)

  • Deborah replied 3 years ago

    Angie lol I guess that is true.  My concern would be the volume around the tummy and thigh area.  That is probably my most challenging area and I can look dumpy if I am not careful :)  After commenting I spent about an hour reading about the balloon jeans and also looking at quite a few versions that are available here.  The more I looked, the more I liked.  I saw quite a few styling options I liked that swayed dressy.  I have my eye on the Marks and Spencer ones as they are available in Australia but they don't have them in black :(  The khaki is quite nice tho.  I have also decided, after much imaginings, that I could probably work a flat shoe with them after all.  

  • Angie replied 3 years ago

    Debs, I guarantee that you will style your balloon jeans beautifully and feel fab in them. Hope you find just the right pair :)

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Hi, I'm Angie. I'm the co-founder of youlookfab.com and write most of the content. I've been in the Rag Trade for 20 years, and spent many of those years as a buyer. Now I'm a fashion stylist and enjoy this angle just as much. I am committed to making us all feel great about our style.