Balloon Trousers Are Summer's Version Of Barrel Jeans: 5 Pairs To Try

A novel shape for summer, shop the balloon trousers trend with these styles from Marks & Spencer, Massimo Dutti and Faithfull the Brand …

“I just got a pair of balloon trousers and I know I’ll wear them all summer,” Ginny Seymour of fashion brand Aligne told us recently. In a Pepto Bismol shade of pink, Aligne’s balloon trousers are an antidote to the utilitarian cargo trousers which abound in somber shades of olive and khaki.

They’re more wearable than you think, too. When reframed as summer’s version of barrel jeans – both styles share a distinctive horseshoe shape – they instantly become less cartoonish. The key is to buy the right fabric. A crisp cotton poplin or silk-blend looks fresh – a million miles from the street-inspired harem pants trend of the 2010s (or any Aladdin references).

Our tip: avoid too much draping. Look to Loulou de Saison’s Almaya trousers which have a minimal design and defined cuff at the ankle. At the other end of the scale, a scarf print feels exuberant and speaks to a St.Tropez vibe. Massimo Dutti‘s satin printed trousers with tie-details, below, nod to the look.

As for the rest of your outfit? Offset the louche aesthetic with something unexpected. Seymour wears hers with Chanel two-tone flats: there’s something about the combo of street and classic prep that just works. Shop an edit of the best balloon trousers below.