A Guide To The Best Jeans For Petite Women

As a person who stands at 5'2", I understand firsthand the struggle of finding a solid pair of petite jeans that don't require more than a simple cuff to get the length just right. I've grown comfortable buying regular-length denim and slicing the hem with fabric shears, but I know not everyone is into the frayed hem look. I also understand that not everyone has the budget or time to take their jeans to a tailor who can preserve the original design.

You'll always meet fashion people who swear by a certain denim style or brand, but even when comparing notes with other short-legged folks, the search for the best petite jeans feels like a never-ending game of trial and error — what feels right for one body type or personal style won’t always translate to another.. (Though we all love fantasizing about a Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants moment.) So, at the recommendation of fellow short fashion colleagues, friends, and shop reviewers, we present a list of our current favorite petite denim styles. This isn't perfect or entirely comprehensive, but we aim to cover brands that offer a range of washes, fits, stretch levels, and silhouettes all specifically suited to those 5'3" and under. These jeans are designed to be worn straight off the rack — no tailoring needed.

Before you dive into your denim search, I highly recommend first finding your inseam and saving it in your Notes app. It’ll be invaluable when checking size and fit details. To determine it, grab your favorite pair of (non-drop-crotch) pants and measure from the crotch to the bottom hem. A true petite style is usually no longer than 27 inches, though some brands insist that 30 inches is petite — which, ahem, it's not. (Most short folks I know have inseams between 23 to 26 inches.) With this number, you can find jeans that'll actually fit your bottom half, add an inch for a longer length, or subtract an inch for a high-waist look. And don’t forget the classic trick: Search for "cropped" or "ankle" jeans at any retailer that offers those filters (y'know, the ones that hit at the ankle on taller frames but are full-length on petites). Consider this easiest hack for the short stuff.

Shopbop is one of our top petite shopping destinations thanks to its detailed sizing measurements and easy-to-use denim filter. (Under the Clothing category, you can sort the retailer’s massive collection by Cropped Jeans or Ankle Jeans.) Agolde is a top-selling brand on there, and this cropped jean features a precise 25.25-inch inseam that petites love.

“I’m 5'1", 34B, 123 lbs. (hips/butt), and a true size 27 in all the other denim I own,” writes one reviewer. Another adds: “I think people need to realize that Rise and Inseam will re-adjust your waist sizing[,] so I’m thankful Shopbop lists both of those because they matter for petite girls like me... Also, being 5’1,” the inseam of 25.25 fits me like an actual pant (not cropped). Love the quality of this style and wash, you won’t be disappointed if you get your sizing right. Trust me!”

In addition to being size-inclusive, Good American is also height-conscious, offering an entire line, Good Petite, dedicated to shorter fits in sizes 00 to 32.

The brand's bestselling Always Fits jeans are a game-changer, especially for those who fluctuate between sizes. Stretching across four different sizes (with sizing options for sizes 00-4, 6-12, 14-18, 2-16, and 28-32), 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 25.5" length, they’re an even better fit for petite people, too.

Petite shoppers should get to know Nelle Atelier, a denim brand designed for those under 5'4". One happy customer raves, "I never leave reviews, but I am so glad I found these jeans!! They are amazing. I have already worn them three days in a row since I’ve gotten them!”

A&F offers jeans in sizes 23 to 37, with extra-short, short, regular, long, and extra-long lengths. (You can read more about the brand’s much-adored denim rebrand in our A&F review.) This best-seller has over 1,000 five-star reviews, including one from a 5'1" customer who raves, “Love these jeans! Super comfortable in the legs, they have plenty of stretch. Very high-waisted […] but that’s how I like them.”

Looking for wide-leg jeans that won’t swallow your petite frame? Maeve’s bestselling pair ticks all the boxes. Sturdy, thick denim? Yep. A 24” inseam, high-waist, and cropped silhouette? Indeed. A statement pocket that draws the eye up and makes your legs look miles long? You betcha. Don’t just take our word for it — this style boasts a 4.5 out of five-star rating and over 1,700 reviews on Anthropologie.

For a classic-fitting, straight-leg jean, Everlane has the perfect style. And, with leg length options of 26.5, 28.5, and 30.5 inches, there’s a fit for everyone. Being 100% cotton, they also have that heavy denim feel and are rather rigid. (Note: According to the onsite description/reviews, these run large, so consider sizing down for a more figure-hugging fit.)

Bianca Caampued, the 5'0" founder of Tulsa Creative Engine and co-founder of Small Girls PR, tells us, “Before owning the agency, I was someone raised by and working at fashion magazines" — so she knows Levi’s has always been the gold standard of denim. Fortunately for petites, “the brand adjusts by leg length and not just waist width,” she says, “so I can browse by 26-inch inseams specifically.”

We asked our friends at the aptly named Small Girls PR to share the denim they swear by. Mary Whitlock, VP at the fashion and lifestyle firm, swears by a particular J.Crew style: “I am 4’11” and curvy, so I have a very hard time finding petite jeans, and these are the only ones that have fit me without needing to be tailored.”

Plus, the brand’s filtering system makes shopping easy — under the Size & Fit category, you can select Petite or filter by Length to find Cropped or Ankle styles.

It’s rare for a denim brand to offer two petite lengths (let alone one), but AYR is all about providing options. Customers can choose between a 25- or 27-inch inseam, which may contribute to this jean’s sell-out power and its 4.7 out of five-star rating from 2,178 reviews. Petite shoppers praise them with feedback like, “These are the most comfortable jeans I’ve ever tried on, and I have tried soooo many designer brands... Am 5'2" and 112 lbs. and I got a size 26 with the shorter inseam which is perfect. I am usually wearing leggings on the weekend but am so happy that I have a pair of jeans that are just as comfortable!”

Free People's petite jeans are yet another reason to love the retailer. We’re especially into the petite-ified versions of the brand’s bestsellers, like these barrel-leg jeans from We The Free. I can attest that, at 5'2”, the short version of these jeans fit like a dream. (You can see me styling a patchwork version of this design here with ballet flats, no problem; no weird bunching, pooling, or being “drowned” by all that fabric.) Bonus: They come in under $100.

Madewell’s bestselling petite-fit jeans come highly recommended by Refinery29’s senior writer, Karina Hoshikawa, who raves about their 25-inch inseam and lived-in vintage feel. Reviewers agree, praising these jeans for balancing out softness and comfort with sturdiness, and accommodating stretch. "This black jean is perfect. I have a hard time finding jeans that fit over my thighs and butt but this one is perfect," writes one customer. "I’m only 4’10” and I don’t have to do a thing to these jeans. Some Madewell petite pants still need a little hem but it’s always a bonus when I can put on a new pair and go."

Your love of Mother Denim is about to grow deeper with the Lil’Mother collection, designed specifically for those 5'4" and under. This line features petite-tailored adjustments to its beloved denim collection, like higher knee placement and shorter inseams, ensuring a better fit for smaller frames.