When you’re shopping for jeans online as a petite, there are a few key things you want to pay attention to so you can get the best fit possible without having to try them on first.
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How to Buy Jeans Online When You’re Petite | Rise, Inseam & Fit Tips
My Sizing: I’m 4’10”, and my bust, waist, and hip measurements are 32″, 24″, and 36″. My inseam is 25″ (the measurement from the inside of my leg to my ankle bone). The clothes shown are unaltered and show how they fit me right from the store. I list my sizing beside each item to help you compare when shopping online. When referencing my true size, that is often the smallest option available at a brand or petite xxs/00/24. I wear a size 5 shoe.
Rise & Inseam
The first thing to know is your rise and inseam measurements. These are two of the most important numbers when it comes to how jeans will fit on a petite frame. Rise affects where the jeans sit on your waist and how they feel through the torso, while inseam determines where the hem will hit on your leg. It will differ from person to person and by the style of the jeans. Knowing these measurements makes it much easier to compare styles across different brands.
The easiest way to measure your preferred inseam and rise is on a pair of jeans you already love the fit of. If you don’t have a pair that you like the length of I suggest cuffing them to the desired length, pinning it, and then measuring. You will measure the inside seam of the jeans from the inner crotch seam to the bottom of the jeans. This measurement will give you a good starting point – but don’t think you have to be exact, it’s just a good base point. Here are my personal inseam preferences:
My inseam is 25″ to my ankle bone. I look for the following inseam measurements by style:
Cropped/Ankle: 24-25”
Full Straight: 26-28” (28” is for a bunchy look that is currently on-trend)
Full Wide: 27.5-28” (29” with heels)
Full Flare: 27.5-28” (29” with heels)
White Top XS | Bella Relaxed Straight Jeans: 24 x 28″ | Luna Wide Leg Jeans: 24 | Paige Anessa Wide-Leg: 24 x 27″ | Boots | Flats
Pocket Placement & Size
Next, take a close look at pocket placement and pocket size. In terms of pocket side, smaller pockets make your backside look larger and larger pockets will make it look smaller. Depending on your shape, pick the pocket size that is the most balancing for you. I have a larger bottom in proportion to my shape so I need a larger pocket.
White Top XS | Bella Relaxed Straight Jeans: 24 x 28″ (right) | Paige Anessa Wide-Leg: 24 x 27″ (left)| Boots
How low or how high a pocket is placed also effects the overall look of your backside. High pockets elongate and low pockets shorten. If you want to accentuate your backside, a high pocket may be your friend. Personally, it makes my backside look longer. I prefer a centered pocket.
White Top XS | Madewell Jules Jeans: Petite 24 (left) | MOTHER Lil’ Hustler Roller Skimp: Petite 24 (right)
The shape of the yoke and tip of the pockets can also lift or lower your backside. Jeans with a deep v yoke and tipped pockets will lift and pockets that are more straight across will widen and lower the appearance of your backside.
Jeans above are the ‘90s Relaxed Straight Jeans from Abercrombie in extra short and the Stovepipe Jeans from American Eagle in Extra Short. Exact washes are sold out.
Petite V. Standard
You don’t have to buy petite jeans just because you’re petite, but it’s important to understand the difference between true petite jeans and standard jeans that come in multiple inseam options. Petite jeans are designed with overall proportions in mind — including rise, knee placement, and pocket placement — not just length. However, petite doesn’t mean the size is overall smaller; it’s just shorter. It’s a common misconception that you may need to size up in petite sizing, but it’s not sized differently, just shortened. Standard jeans with shorter inseams can work, but they don’t always address the proportional differences. So if you try a pair of jeans in short and they just feel off, you may need petite jeans instead.
The jeans above are Madewell 90s Straight Jeans in petite and Abercrombie ’90s Relaxed Jeans in Extra Short.
Keeping these details in mind when shopping online can save you time, frustration, and returns — and help you find jeans that actually work for your petite frame.
