Real (approachable) Style Advice for Real (grown-up) Women with 

Real (smart) Budgets

Dear First name / friend,

May is here! The unofficial start of “the season” in Newport—which has me both excited and…still freezing. We’re stuck in the 50s with some sun, but it’s still very much warm coats and closed-toe shoes around here.

 

Meanwhile, I’m looking longingly at all the spring and summer clothes and sandals, wondering when I can actually wear them. Those days have to come though…right?

 

At least it’s not February. 😉

 

This is always a favorite weekend for us—May 1st is our anniversary (33 years!) and May 3rd is our middle son Jared's birthday. Add in the Kentucky Derby and the Celtics playoffs (very disappointing…), and it’s been a fun, full weekend.

 

Now, here’s what you may have missed this week at B.Styled…

Speaking of lousy weather….

Too cold, too hot, gray, humid—whatever it is—and you just want to stay in sweats/cozies/lounge clothes? 🙌🏼

 

But getting dressed—even just a little—can completely shift your day.
I’m sharing an easy formula that keeps you comfortable but still feeling like yourself, plus a few great pull-on jean options I love.

 

2. Weekly Style Tip: Barrel Pants - Don't Rush to Judgement…Yet.

Barrel pants got a bad reputation early on—I get why many women swore them off. See Exhibit A above. ☝️

 

The first versions were exaggerated and hard to wear ridiculous-looking. Most women saw them and immediately said “yea, no way.”

 

But that’s not what they look like anymore.

 

Today’s barrel pants are softer, more subtle, and much more wearable. They’ve moved out of trend-territory and become a modern, mainstream silhouette that can actually be very flattering.

 

Think of them as an updated version of the boyfriend/girlfriend jeans so many of us loved in the 2010s—
👉🏼 relaxed
👉🏼 easy
👉🏼casual - cool

…but with a more current shape.

 

•They create shape without clinging
•They skim the body (great through the middle and thighs)

•They instantly make an outfit look more current

 

👉🏼 Loafers, ballet flats, heels, clogs, booties, sandals, sneakers (are there any other kinds of shoes??🤔)

 

•Straight or athletic shapes (they add curve)
•Fuller midsection (they don't cling)
•Hips/thighs (they skim, not squeeze)
•Petites (with the right proportions - more on that below)

 

👉🏼 Shorter tops (not long or tunic-length)
👉🏼 More fitted on top (not tight—just balanced)
👉🏼 Keep it simple and structured - or if flowy, do a loose tuck.
 

👉🏼 Ankle length or 1–2 inches above

This also makes shoes easy.
 

So, if you dismissed barrel pants early…they may be worth reconsidering.

The updated versions are much more wearable—and a simple way to look current without trying too hard.

 

Here are my 3 favorite pairs that I wear on repeat: 

If you like the idea of barrel pants—but want something soft and easy—these are worth a look. (🔗The pair in look #2 above).

 

They have that same relaxed, slightly curved silhouette as the higher-end Ruti pants that have “gone viral”…but at a fraction of the price.

 

And honestly? I think they’re better.

 

👉🏼 The fabric is soft and drapey (not stiff or nylon-feeling)
👉🏼 They pull on—easy and comfortable
👉🏼 They work dressed up or casual - (great for travel and napping too;)

 

I have them in cream and black and wear them on repeat.

 

Think of these as a low-effort, wearable version of the barrel trend 👍🏼

That's it for today! 

Have a great week ahead, and remember to #justgetdressed. ✅👍🏼

On Instagram @b.styled