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.

Sauna in a pair of crop jeans and booties | 40plusstyle.com

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 in black jeans and leopard print | 40plusstyle.com

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).

The best petite jeans to get the perfect fit for short women | 40plusstyle.com

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 | 40plusstyle.com

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 | 40plusstyle.com

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 | 40plusstyle.com

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 Jamie Jeans | 40plusstyle.com

Topshop Jamie Jeans

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 | 40plusstyle.com

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 Ankle Skinny Jeans | 40plusstyle.com

1822 Denim Ankle Skinny Jeans

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 Denim Trouser | 40plusstyle.com

J.Crew Denim Trouser

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 | 40plusstyle.com

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 | 40plusstyle.com

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 | 40plusstyle.com

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 | 40plusstyle.com

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 | 40plusstyle.com

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 High Rise Wide Leg Jeans | 40plusstyle.com

LOFT High Rise Wide Leg Jeans

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 | 40plusstyle.com

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 | 40plusstyle.com

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 | 40plusstyle.com

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 | 40plusstyle.com

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 | 40plusstyle.com

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 | 40plusstyle.com

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 Boyfriend Jeans | 40plusstyle.com

Boden Boyfriend Jeans

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:

The best petite jeans to get the perfect fit for short women | 40plusstyle.com

Do you have your own recommendations for the best petite jeans? Let me know in the comments below.

Continue reading:

  1. How To Dress When You Are Short Or Petite?
  2. How To Look Taller And Slimmer
  3. How To Wear Jeans Over 40 – Guidelines And Lots Of Ideas

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The best petite jeans to get the perfect fit for short women | 40plusstyle.com

Feature image by Abi @stealmystyle40

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