Shopping for jeans never seems to be easy. From choosing between a whole host of cuts, colours, waist heights and washes to working out what styles make you feel the most comfortable, there’s a lot that goes into finding the perfect everyday wardrobe essential. But, if you measure in at 5’3” or under, this task can become a whole lot harder — so I’m here to help, picking out the best petite jeans that are just right for us shorter-legged lot.
If, like me, you often forget about your height when it comes to fashion, only to come home with dirty (or worse, holey) hems on jeans, trousers, skirts and dresses, it may be time to start perusing the petite section. But before you go thinking this means less choice, strange cuts or only mainstream colours, you may be surprised to learn that some of the best denim brands have pretty great petite sections. Or, in some cases, there’s an option to choose a leg length just as you would your waist, so you can make sure you find the perfect fit with all the same options as our longer-legged friends.
Testing out a wide range of styles from boot-cut to wide-leg and even a petite palazzo, below is my list of the best petite jeans to buy to suit every budget, from the high street to the high end. And, I promise, there’s no awkward cuts, still-too-long lengths or child-like prints included. Dinky framed folk, you’re welcome.
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Boden High Rise Wide-Leg Jeans, £90, £67.50
Covering petite gals from every angle, Boden has a dedicated petite jeans section featuring trend-led, seasonal styles, and it allows you to shop the core jeans selection by leg length. Really, the brand has thought of everything when it comes to shopping for shorter legs. I had never shopped from the brand before now, but I opted for the dark wash wide-leg denim with a 28-inch leg length, and I have to say, I was blown away. They’re soft, comfortable and look a lot more expensive than they actually are. I’ve even had a huge number of compliments on them, and they seem like a formal enough fit to wear into the office too.
River Island Petite Blue High Waist Flare Jeans, £45
Finding flared jeans as a petite person seems like the hardest challenge out of all the styles simply because if you decide to just take up a regular length flare, you end up cutting off the signature part of the style. Luckily, River Island has come through with this petite pair that’s incredibly comfortable (although I would say they will probably still be a bit long for those 5’ and under).
Frame Le Pixie Slim Palazzo in Hutchinson, £260
If you’re looking for a luxury jeans brand, then I’d encourage you to give Frame a go. With a handful of styles such as this one, now available in petite sizing, the buttery soft designer denim brand is sure to suit smaller legs just perfectly. The palazzo cut is quite striking and really does hold its shape, and, thanks to its shorter size, there’s no tripping over hems or having them trail on the floor. I’ve also bought the cropped-length regular-sized jeans from this brand before, and after six years of regular wear, they still look good as new.
M&S Sienna Supersoft Straight Leg Jeans, £32.50
I’m starting to lose count of the number of people who have told me how great M&S jeans are, and after finally taking the plunge and trying a pair, I have to say they aren’t wrong. Not only are these jeans a purse-friendly price point, but they’re also incredibly comfortable thanks to a cotton, polyester and elastane blend. They’re super soft and stretchy and actually seem to mould to your body without that regular restricting jeans feeling. And, for us smaller-legged folk, every style is available in short, regular and long lengths, so there’s no short supply of options either. Of course, for those who like a heavy-weight denim, this may not be the best design for you. But for anyone choosing comfort, be sure to make a beeline for M&S.
Good American Always Fits Good Petite Straight Jeans, £170
Good American’s Always Fits jeans are a game-changer, especially for those who fluctuate between sizes. Stretching across four different sizes, the high-stretch jeans adapt to your body’s monthly, yearly or even weekly changes so you can feel comfortable without that typical jean tugging or tightness. Now available in a shorter length, they’re an even better fit for petite people too.
Everlane The ’90s Cheeky Jean, £108, £81
For a big, baggy, 90s-style jean, Everlane has the perfect pick. Leaning into the Y2K vibe, of course, I opted for the light-wash denim and definitely wasn’t disappointed. With leg length options of 26.5, 28.5 and 30.5 inches, you can truly tailor these jeans to find just the right fit. But being 100% cotton, they have that heavy denim feel and are rather rigid, so sizing isn’t too generous. The brand has noted these run a little large, so best to try a size down for a more figure-hugging fit.
New Look Black Cargo Jeans, £34.99
Now, it has been a long time since I’ve worn New Look, the brand that saw me through my teenage years, but after trying on the budget-friendly jeans, I’m now firmly a fan again. These black cargo jeans not only look incredibly cool but are super soft on the skin and haven’t yet faded after a good few washes. What I would say is that the brand comes up quite small, in every sense of the word. Waists are too tight and lengths are clearly on the shorter side (these jeans are part of the regular collection, not specifically tailored towards petite pals), which is great for us shorter-legged folk but not the best for standard sizing. I would recommend everyone to size up by one or two dress sizes, just so you don’t have to fight with the fabric.
Ro & Zo Petite Wide-Leg Jeans, £79
For petite people, wide-leg jeans are probably the hardest fit to find because you can’t simply snip off the hem without losing the fashionable flare. This option from Ro & Zo, however, takes all the stress out of buying this style thanks to a perfectly petite palazzo shape that falls just below the ankle. The heavy-weight denim also feels (and looks) more on the luxurious side with a dark wash shade and highly structured shape, and I’m sure the brand’s wider petite range is probably just as impressive.
Levi’s 501 Crop Jeans, £100
When it comes to jeans, few brands are more famous than Levi’s, and the 501 style has been a staple for 50 years. They’re hard wearing, work great with almost any outfit and with inseam lengths of 26 to 30 inches on this crop style, come up perfectly at the ankles of us petite people. Any eagle-eyed readers will probably spot that these jeans didn’t exactly fit, leaving me with a wide-open waistband thanks to a combination of choosing the wrong size and the fabric having not one centimetre of stretch. This non-stretch style does, I’m sure, make them more durable, but do be more cautious than I was when choosing your sizing, lest you be left with your knickers on show. But, once you’re secured your right size, they’re sure to be a staple in your wardrobe for many (many) years to come.
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