Finding a well-fitting pair of jeans can be tricky when you are petite. Many jeans are made with taller women in mind. Of course, you can go to the tailor, but taking your jeans up at the hems won’t necessarily mean they fit well everywhere else. Let’s take a look in this article at the best petite jeans that should fit you straight out of the box.
What to look out for when searching for the best petite jeans?
So, what are the main things to consider when searching for the perfect pair of petite jeans?
The inseam
This doesn’t matter so much if you are taller as you can wear your jeans cropped or longer. But, if you’re petite, you want to make sure your jeans don’t pool around your ankles. Measure your inside leg and choose the inseam you want. You’re likely to need jeans somewhere between 24 and 30 inches depending on whether you want a cropped pair, or you want a longer style to wear with heels.
Shauna @chicover50 above (read her style interview here) shows off a little bit of ankle by keeping her jeans just above her ankle booties.
Steal her look with this similar top, shirtdress (another option here), jeans (another option here), booties and earrings.
best Petite jeans brands
If you want to ensure your jeans fit, you will want to look out for brands specifically cut for shorter women. Some brands that carry petite jeans ranges are J.Crew, Wit & Wisdom, LOFT, Universal Standard, White House Black Market, Ann Taylor, and Lands’ End.
Lydia @birabiro above (read her style interview here) wears her black jeans with booties and animal print.
Steal her look with this similar top, coat, jeans (another option here), boots and crossbody bag.
best petite jeans If you want to look taller
This is obviously a personal preference, but if there are days when you want to look taller, you could choose jeans with a higher waist to make your legs look longer. If you want to wear heels under your jeans, you may want to look for a pair that is a bit longer (so it will almost touch the ground when you’re wearing your heels).
Abi @stealmystyle40 above chooses a pair of jeans that end perfectly at her ankles to go with her sneakers.
Recreate her outfit with this similar shirt (another option here), jeans, sneakers, handbag and necklace.
Also take a look at how to dress when you are petite, and how to look taller and slimmer.
The best petite jeans brands
Now, let’s look at some of the best jeans for petites that you could choose now.
NYDJ
NYDJ is a favorite at 40+ Style for its flattering fits. It has a petite section where you can select the best jeans for you. The ankle length bootcut jeans (below) would be ideal to wear with your sneakers or booties.
NYDJ Cool Embrace® Ankle Slim Bootcut Jeans
NYDJ shops: website, Nordstrom and Amazon
Liverpool Los Angeles
If the weather is getting warmer where you are, you could think about a pair of capri jeans. This can be tricky if you’re petite as you want to make sure the length ends where it should and not further down your leg. The Liverpool pull-on capris (below) are specifically designed for the petite figure.
Liverpool Los Angeles Chloe Pull-On Cuffed Capri Skinny Jeans
Liverpool Los Angeles shops: website, Nordstrom and Amazon
Wit & Wisdom
Now moving onto a pair of classic bootcut jeans. The Wit & Wisdom jeans are perfect for dressing up or down, and are ideal if you want to wear heels underneath to make your legs look longer.
Wit & Wisdom Ab-Solution High Waist Itty Bitty Bootcut Jeans
Wit & Wisdom shop: Nordstrom
Topshop
If you haven’t shopped in Topshop for a while (or ever), they actually have a good petites section. The skinny black jeans (below) would be good to wear with tunic tops instead of leggings. You could wear with sneakers, heeled sandals, or ballet flats, or with knee-high boots over the top.
Topshop shop: Nordstrom
Joe’s
Joe’s bootcut jeans are a classic that won’t date. They are designed to lift, smooth, and keep their shape during the day. Reviewers say they are the ideal fit for 5’6” or if you are shorter and want to wear them with heels. Check out their range of jeans exclusively for petites.
Joe’s The Provocateur Bootcut Jeans
Joe’s shops: website, Nordstrom and Amazon
1822 denim
White jeans are a summer essential, and they can work well for cooler months too if you wear with warm neutral knitwear and boots. The 1822 Denim jeans hit at the ankles to wear with your sneakers or booties.
1822 Denim shops: Nordstrom and Amazon
J.Crew
If you’re petite, finding a flattering pair of wide jeans can be tricky, as they can add width rather than elongate your figure. The trick is to choose a pair with a high waist. Plus, the creases down the J.Crew jeans (below) creates a vertical line that draws the eye up and down rather than across.
J.Crew shop: website
Jag jeans
A pair of black straight-leg jeans will always be on trend. The JAG Jeans (below) have a high rise, and an elasticated waistband so they’re comfy for work or the weekend.
JAG Jeans Peri Straight Leg Pull-On Jeans
JAG Jeans shops: Nordstrom and Amazon
Hudson Jeans
A subtle bootcut looks great on most figures. Reviewers say the Hudson jeans (below) are flattering for petites, particularly if you have curvy thighs and a smaller waist.
Hudson Jeans Beth Baby Bootcut Jeans
Hudson Jeans shops: website, Nordstrom and Amazon
Democracy
The petite Democracy jeans (below) come in a good choice of blue shades as well as black and white. Reviewers say the fit is flattering and the length is perfect. Check out their petite range for great selections of clothing.
Democracy Ab Solution Straight Leg Jean
Democracy shops: website and Amazon
Lee
With a classic straight leg, Lee’s jeans (below) are well reviewed from women who say they stand up well against more expensive brands.
Lee Relaxed Fit Straight Leg Jean
Lee shop: Amazon
Everlane
Everlane’s ’90s style jeans (below) are especially cut with petite, curvy, figures in mind.
Everlane The Curvy ’90s Cheeky® Jean
Everlane shop: website
LOFT
LOFT has a petite jeans section, making it easier to search for a pair according to the leg length you want. If you already have plenty of blue and black in your closet, you could add a pop of color with the magenta jeans (below).
LOFT shop: website
Banana Republic
For a timeless style that you can wear for season-after-season, you could try the straight jeans from Banana Republic (below).
Banana Republic The Petite Straight Jean
Banana Republic shop: website
Universal Standard
No matter what size you are looking for, you should find your fit in Univeral Standard’s petite section. The skinny jeans (below) would look great with your favorite shirts.
Universal Standard Seine High Rise Skinny Jeans
Universal Standard shop: website
Ralph Lauren
If you’re looking for a classic style, then Ralph Lauren is a good place to start. The Ralph Lauren jeans (below) will be a wardrobe staple that you can wear any season.
Ralph Lauren High-Rise Straight Ankle Jean
Ralph Lauren shops: website and Nordstrom
White House Black Market
White House Black Market is another brand that has it’s own petite section to make your jeans hunt easier. The trouser jeans (below) have an on-trend 70s feel to them and would look good with platform sandals.
White House Black Market Extra High-Rise Everyday Soft Denim™ Trupunto Trouser Jeans
White House Black Market: website
Ann Taylor
The Ann Taylor jeans (below) are designed to sculpt your figure. You can easily search the petite section to find your perfect denim.
Ann Taylor Sculpting Pocket High Rise Straight Jeans
Ann Taylor shop: website
Lands’ End
Lands’ End is a great go-to for clothes that won’t date after one season. They have also created a special petite section to help you search for jeans with the right inseam length.
Lands’ End Recover High Rise Wide Leg Jeans
Lands’ End shop: website
Boden
If you love a casual boyfriend style, you are in good company. It’s a favorite style of Jennifer Aniston too. Boden is a good place to look as their jeans come in petite, regular and long.
Boden shops: website and Nordstrom
If you’re petite, I’d love to hear your jeans recommendations. Let me know in the comments below.
shop the best petite jeans below:
Do you have your own recommendations for the best petite jeans? Let me know in the comments below.
Continue reading:
- How To Dress When You Are Short Or Petite?
- How To Look Taller And Slimmer
- How To Wear Jeans Over 40 – Guidelines And Lots Of Ideas
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Feature image by Abi @stealmystyle40
Sylvia is 40+style’s editor-in-chief and has been helping women find their unique style since 2011. An alumni of the School of Color and Design, she is devoted to empowering women of any age to look and feel their best. Read more about Sylvia and 40+style on this page.
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Thanks for the options. HaVing just searched and tried on petite jeans, JCrew are longer than most petite jeans.NYDJ work well.