Levi's Scimitar Pants Have Arrived: Baggy Barrel and SGA Show Off the New "Short Top, Wide Bottom" Formula
Levi's launches the Baggy Barrel curved-taper denim, with arced legs narrowing at the ankle to create a "scimitar" silhouette. NBA star SGA shows off the styling firsthand, while we break down the differences between the brand's three baggy pant styles.
The leg doesn't just fall straight down — instead, it flares outward like two blades before curving back in at the ankle. That's the most striking visual of Levi's new Baggy Barrel curved-taper denim. Streetwear fans have already given it a catchier nickname: scimitar pants.
Over the past few years, baggy pants have evolved from the simple "size up" approach of Baggy Fit to a phase now focused on silhouette. Levi's new take puts the emphasis on volume around the thigh-to-knee area, using curved side seams to build a 3D shape, then gradually tapering at the ankle. The result pulls visual focus to the mid-leg, while avoiding the common baggy-pant issues of shoes getting swallowed by fabric or excess bunching at the ankle.
The waist features an adjustable design — the same pair can be cinched for a cleaner look, or loosened for a low-rise, more relaxed baggy vibe, leaving room for flexible styling.
How SGA Styles "Short Top, Wide Bottom"
This campaign features NBA star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) modeling the look himself. Known for his off-court style pairing cropped jackets, boxy tees, and vests with baggy pants, he's become one of the poster figures for the "short top, wide bottom" formula. The logic is simple: a cropped top draws visual weight upward, while the bottom half gets the volume of the Baggy Barrel to elongate leg proportions. Footwear choice also shifts the overall vibe — thin-soled sneakers make the barrel silhouette pop more, while chunkier boots lean into an American streetwear feel.
Choosing Between the Three Baggy Styles: 578™, Baggy Barrel, and Baggy Wide Leg
If you're torn on which style to pick up, Levi's three baggy pants each have a clear identity. The 578™ Baggy is the classic loose straight-leg cut, with a more restrained level of looseness — ideal for first-timers trying Baggy Fit or anyone wanting a versatile go-to pair. The Baggy Barrel, with its outward curve and tapered ankle, offers a roomier fit that emphasizes shape and proportion, aimed at those who've grown tired of regular baggy pants and want to catch up with this year's trend. As for the Baggy Wide Leg, set to launch in October, it maintains the same width from top to bottom for maximum drape and volume — perfect for die-hard baggy fans who love an oversized look.
The difference between the three styles really comes down to two questions: how wide you want to go, and what look you're going for. Figure out your styling goal first, then decide which pair to start with.
Pricing and detailed release dates for the Baggy Barrel and the other two styles have not yet been provided. The Baggy Wide Leg is expected to launch in October — please refer to Levi's official channels for confirmed information.
