Rachel Stevens is constantly educating fans in how best to style for petites, and her latest offering proves to be the ultimate summer outfit formula for pairing barrel-leg jeans with a relaxed batwing top.
The batwing top trend is dominating the high street right now. A great answer to what to wear in the heat. It features wide, dropped armholes and a relaxed fit through the body, creating a breezy fit, and a great alternative to a classic crew neck tee.
Wearing a short-sleeved rustic top from Zara, Rachel showed off her outfit of the day on Instagram and showed how to balance wearing a voluminous top with curvy, barrel-leg jeans. Opting for a dark indigo pair from M&S, Rachel's polished jeans balanced out the fullness of the sleeves on her top, and she created an hourglass shape by ensuring to tuck in at the waist, highlighting her middle. Completing her look with the Free People Roma suede tote bag and Luna suede ballet flats by Le Monde Beryl, Rachel proved why she is such a well-regarded style influencer.
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There's a reason these barrel-leg jeans are a bestseller for M&S. Not only are they well-structured, thanks to their curved seam that creates a voluminous, flattering leg, but they're also available in a range of hues and lengths - from extra-short to extra-long.
An asymmetric design, this top demands a half-tuck at the waist. The draped fit through the body creates a laidback feel, and the batwing sleeves keep it easy breezy. And while we don't normally suggest baggy shapes on top and bottom, the tuck at the middle helps to balance your shape.
Suede handbags never go out of style and always feel and look expensive. Rachel's one from Free People is an especially great choice for everyday, with its slouchy hobo style and elongated shoulder straps. It has hundreds of reviews, with shoppers saying it's 'really big' and roomy.
Matching the suede textures of her handbag and shoes might have only been a small detail in Rachel's outfit, but it creates a cohesive look. Her ballet flats from Le Monde Beryl are handcrafted in Italy from smooth suede, with cushioned linings adding comfort.
Available in short, regular and long lengths, as well as in sizes 6 to 24, these barrel leg jeans are a great buy - and they're currently on sale. Shoppers say they are 'stylish and comfortable,' thanks to their curved seam creating a voluminous but wearable shape.
Like Rachel's batwing top, this one from Phase Eight boasts a knitted texture, with metallic thread woven throughout for added interest. The 3/4 sleeves lean into the slouchy, summery fit, creating a style you can dress up with ease.
When it comes to looser denim like the best barrel-leg jeans, the rule is usually to opt for a more fitted top to balance volume on the top and bottom, narrowing your waistline. But Rachel ignored this advice – and the result still works because Rachel tucks in her batwing top, creating a slimmer middle, narrowing her silhouette. This means her frame isn't overwhelmed by the fabric.
Tucking the entire hem into your waistband creates a sharp, neat middle. But a French tuck could work too. This is when you half-tuck in, still highlighting your waist, but without the rigidity of a full tuck.
You can do this with any oversized t-shirts or shirts in your capsule wardrobe, but the batwing top adds an extra contemporary look and a breezy fit. As Rachel pointed out in the caption of her Instagram, this is a look that’s ‘easy’ and ‘effortless’ for a ‘day of errands.’
