As a person who stands at 5’3″, I understand firsthand the struggle of finding a solid pair of petite jeans that doesn’t need further alteration besides the usual cuff. While I’ve personally become very comfortable with buying regular-length denim and slicing the bottoms with a pair of fabric shears, I get that not everyone is into the frayed hem look. Additionally, not everyone has the budget or time to take their pants to a tailor who can preserve the original hem.
You’ll always meet fashion people who swear by a certain style of jeans or only wear ones from a particular brand, but even when you compare and contrast denim with other short-legged folks, the search for the best petite jeans feels like a never-ending game of trial and error — after all, what works for one body type won’t necessarily work for another. (Though we always love fantasizing about a Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants moment.)
So, ahead — 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 a perfect or complete list by any means, but we did aim to cover brands that offer denim styles in an array of washes, fits, stretch levels, and silhouettes that are specifically suited for those who are 5’3″ and under. These jeans are also designed to be worn straight off the racks with no tailoring needed.
But, before you embark on your denim search, I highly suggest you first find your inseam and keep it handy in your Notes app — this number will be immensely helpful when looking at the size and fit details of a product. To determine your inseam, grab your favorite pair of (non-drop-crotch) pants and measure the distance between the crotch and bottom hem. For a true petite style, this likely won’t be any longer than 27 inches, although some brands like to think that 30 inches is a petite cut — which, ahem, it’s not. (Most short folks I know have inseams in the 23–26-inch range.) With this inseam measurement, you’ll have the power to find jeans that’ll actually fit your bottom half; add an inch for a longer length or remove an inch for a high-water look. And be sure to flex the classic trick of searching for “cropped” or “ankle” jeans at any retailer that offers those filters — y’know, the jeans that are cropped on taller folks but full length on petites. Consider this an easy hack to quickly sort the short stuff.
Mother At Anthropologie
Mother The Lil Roller Fray Petite Jeans, $258
We all know and love Mother denim styles at Anthropologie, but my petite friends, your love is about to get deeper after seeing Mother’s Lil’Mother collection, made specifically for those 5’4″ and under. Variations to its beloved denim collection include higher knee placement and shorter inseams, so every type of body can find a perfect pair of jeans. Just look at these cute, frayed flared jeans, which come with a bit of stretch and an ankle-length inseam.
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Free People
Free People We The Free Risk Taker Mid-Rise Jeans, $98
Free People’s petite jeans are another reason why we love the retailer. While the brand offers jeans in all sorts of styles with a regular inseam, they also offer many of their most loved styles from low-rise boyfriend jeans to mid-rise barrel jeans, all with petite-friendly inseam. Talk about a win for those 5’4” and under! We are loving these classic mid-rise jeans from Free People’s in-house brand We The Free that comes in at under $100.
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AYR
AYR The Pop, $225
It’s quite rare for a denim brand to offer two petite lengths (let alone one), but AYR is all about providing options. Customers have their pick of a 25- or 27-inch inseam, which may contribute to this jean’s sell-out power. Currently ranking a 4.7 out of 5 stars from 2,178 reviews, the jeans have petite denim lovers saying things 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!”
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Anthropologie
Maeve The Colette Cropped High-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans, $130
If you are looking for non-traditional, petite-friendly jeans, Anthropologie has quite a selection. The brand stocks plenty of fashion-forward styles like wide-leg paper-bag denim, dramatic boot cuts, and colorful cropped jeans. You can find plenty of standard options as well from house brands like Pilcro and beloved denim labels like Joe’s Jeans and Good American. Reviewers cannot say enough good things about these cropped wide-leg jeans, one noted, “These jeans are so cute! They fit so well, the denim is soft, & the cut is perfect. I love the front pockets & wide leg. I’m petite & the petite length was perfect!”
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Madewell
Madewell Petite Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Crop Jean, $128
If you didn’t know that Madewell has a Petite Jean section — you do now. These best-selling petite-fit jeans come highly recommended by Refinery29’s beauty and wellness writer, Karina Hoshikawa, who raves about the 25-inch inseams and lived-in vintage feel.
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Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie & Fitch Ultra High Rise Ankle Straight Jean, $90
A&F specializes in size-inclusive denim, with styles available in sizes 23 to 37, in extra-short, short, regular, long, and extra-long lengths. No kidding! (You can read more about the brand’s much-adored denim rebrand in our A&F review.) For petites, this is great news. For instance, this best seller with over 1,000 5-star reviews comes in both Short (25.5 inches) and Extra Short (23.5 inches). Writes one 5’1″ reviewer, “Love these jeans! Super comfortable in the legs, they have plenty of stretch. Very high waisted on me being 5’ 1” but that’s how I like them. They are a little more snug in the waist than the mom jeans in the same size. Also the short fits great about an inch or so above my ankles.”
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Good American
Good American Good Petite Straight Jeans, $139
In addition to being size-inclusive, Good American is also height considerate, with a whole line, Good Petite, dedicated to petite styles. Perfect for those 5’4″ and under, the collection comes in sizes 00 to 32. Check out this pair with a specially crafted petite rise and a 25.5-inch inseam.
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Shopbop
AGOLDE Riley High Rise Straight Crop Jeans, $208
Shopbop makes this list because of its detailed sizing measurements and easy-to-use denim filter: Under the Clothing category, you can sort the retailer’s massive denim collection by Cropped Jeans or Ankle Jeans. One of Shopbop’s most popular denim brands is Agolde, and this cropped jean has a very specific 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. “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,” writes one reviewer. “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!”
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Lee
Lee Relaxed Fit Straight Leg Jean, $44 $39.90
Lee, the heritage denim brand, offers petite inseams — but they’re slightly longer at 27.5 inches, which is ideal for those with longer legs or for people who want to wear full-length jeans with, say, heeled booties. Plus, as a few reviewers have pointed out, it’s difficult finding rigid denim jeans in plus sizes, and this classic style had a celebrated comeback. Writes one reviewer: “The 100% cotton construction is excellent! They are very comfortable. It is difficult to find plus-sized jeans that are 100% cotton that also fit very well. I am so happy I was able to find them. Lee, thank you for bringing back these 100% cotton jeans.”
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Banana Republic
Banana Republic Ultra High-Rise Wide-Leg Crop Jean, $120
It’s easy to get lost in Banana Republic’s Denim Shop because there are tons of styles available in all washes and shapes, from skinnies to flares. (For the petite goods, head over to the Size category, and search by “Petite” or “Short.”) Once you start poking around, you’ll have plenty of sleek styles such as these wide-leg jeans with a 25-inch inseam.
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J.Crew
J.Crew Curvy Vintage Slim-Straight Jean, $128 $24.99
Naturally, we asked our friends at the aptly named Small Girls PR to tell us about the denim they swear by. Mary Whitlock, the VP of the fashion and lifestyle firm, dishes that this J.Crew style is the one for her: “I am 4’11” and curvy, so I have a very hard time finding petite jeans, and these are the only jeans that have fit me without needing to be tailored in all of my years on this planet.” Plus, the brand has an impressive filtering system: Under the Size & Fit category, you can select Petite, or you can search by Length and select Cropped or Ankle.
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Old Navy
Old Navy Mid-Rise Boyfriend Loose Jeans, $44.99
Just like its “older sister” brand Gap, Old Navy offers a similarly easy-to-use sorting system, so you can view by Length (like Ankle and Cropped). This petite style has a 26-inch inseam, so even shorter folks can experience some level of cropped-ness. Says one customer, “The regular length inseam was perfect for me at 5’3, and a great fit around the waist. Definitely recommend for any petite people out there.”
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Levi’s
Levi’s Wedgie Straight Women’s Jeans, $98 $24.98
Bianca Caampued, the 5’0″ 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 was always the editor-approved gold star of denim.” Fortunately for petites, “the brand adjusts by leg length and not just waist width,” she adds, “so I can browse by 26-inch inseams specifically.” Caampued has two immediate go-tos: the Wedgie Straight and the 501, with neither style requiring hemming or cuffing needed.
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Frame
Frame Le Pixie High Flare, $228
This one’s for fans of jeans that truly give: Frame doesn’t shy from super-stretchy denim. For those who are on the shorter side, the premium brand also has a collection called Le Pixie, specializing in denim styles for those 5’3″ and under. It’s a revelation, considering that petite folks are rarely able to find silhouettes like palazzo or super wide-leg — and Frame offers flares that can actually accommodate anything from sneakers to cowboy boots.
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RE/DONE
RE/DONE High Rise Stove Pipe, $265
RE/DONE is a denim brand that reworks and refurbishes vintage Levi’s into silhouettes that are better suited for modern body types. It means you can expect lots of ’70s-inspired rigid denim jeans on the site. This pair, with a 27-inch inseam, comes recommended by R29’s senior partnership manager, Kate Spencer, who has an affinity for high rises, a looser leg, and zero stretch.
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Universal Standard
Universal Standard Seine High Rise Skinny Jeans Petite, $98
A pair of good jeans for under $100? Yes, please. Universal Standard is known for being inclusive of all body types, including petites. The brand crafted its best-selling jeans specifically for petites and offers them in sizes 00 to 40, all for under $100.
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