Buying pants off the rack when you’re petite is not always as simple as just popping into the petite section. Petite sizing is typically made for 5’4″ and under. So, if you’re like me (I’m 4’10”), 5’4″ is a good six inches taller than me, which explains why petite and short still don’t always fit. To take the guesswork out of buying petite off the rack, I tested a wide range of petite pants to find the options that fit someone like me, on the shorter end of petite sizing, without hemming. Of course, we may be similar in height but proportions can always be different, so for sizing reference, my inseam is 24″ for a cropped fit and 25″ for full-length.
Affiliate links are included in this post.
Petite-Friendly No Hem Pants for Work
Sizing reference: I’m 4’10” and around 105lbs.
Last year when I wrote this post most of the pants were slim/skinny. This season I tried several different styles to show options in different fits. Although the majority of the styles I bought for this post are black most of these come in other color options as well.
Cropped Wide Leg
Spanx Twill Cropped Wide Leg
I have two options for you when it comes to cropped wide-leg pants. The first is from Spanx. Not all of the petite pants from Spanx fit me, but certain styles do – this fit being one of them. They have Spanx compression so they will be a little tight to get on in your true size, but I don’t recommend sizing up. They will stretch with wear and they were too big for me when I sized up. I’m wearing them in XS Petite. You can take 10% off at Spanx with my code PUMPSXSPANX
Pants Petite XS(10% off with my code PUMPSXSPANX) | Shoes TTS (20% off with my code PUMPSANDPUSHUPS20) | Bag | Top Petite XXS | Necklace
Ann Taylor Cropped Wide Leg
The Spanx pair is a little on the casual side, but this pair is more dressed up. They’re true to size and I wear them in Petite 00.
Pants Petite 00 | Top Petite XXS | Shoes TTS
What Didn’t Work?
I also tried cropped wide-leg jeans from Old Navy that were too long.
Trousers
Ann Taylor Double Knit Trouser
Ann Taylor takes the lead in the most petite-friendly options around. This pair of trousers, in particular, is soft and thick and resists wrinkles! They’re true to size, but I will note the thick knit although warm and comfortable for the upcoming fall season, adds a little bit of weight.
Pants Petite 00 | Top Petite XXS | Shoes TTS
What Didn’t Work?
I also tried trousers from Banana Republic and Express and neither fit me well. I’ve ordered numerous pairs of pants from Express and for one reason or another, they don’t fit. It isn’t always the length, sometimes it’s the sky-high rise and just proportions overall. I will note I have seen many other petite ladies in their pants so don’t write it off as an option just because they don’t fit me well.
Slim Straight
J.Crew Ruby Crop Pants
It’s important to note that only the “crop” Ruby pants fit me without hemming, the full-length are too long. These pants are mid-rise and hold their shape well through the day. They have a good bit of stretch to them. I tend to have fit issues in the hips and thighs with pants like these (stretchy slim fit) so I sized up one. J.Crew Cameron pants fit very similar to the Ruby fit.
Pants Petite 0 | Top Petite XXS | Shoes TTS
Ann Taylor Slim Pants
This pair is a little less fitted through the leg when you compare it to the Ruby pants. The pants feel well made and hold their shape. I find them to be true to size and I wear them in Petite 00. With the high-rise of these pants, they look best with a tucked-in top.
Top XXS | Pants Petite 00 | Shoes TTS
What Didn’t Work?
I tried quite a few different slim straight styles. ASOS was recommended by a reader and while I could see them being a great (affordable) fit for someone with a few inches on me, they were still too long and too high-rise for me. With that being said, there are tons of options on ASOS so it may just be that I didn’t try the right style.
Skinny
If you love a true skinny I have a coupld of different options for you.
Spanx Perfect Pants
First, Spanx Perfect Pants. They fit me well in Petite XS and come right to the ankle. They are definitely more like leggings than pants to me, so in my opinion, they should be worn with a longer top when wearing them to work (blazers with length and long cardigans work great). That being said, they’re incredibly comfortable, slimming, and well made. You can take 10% off at Spanx with my code PUMPSXSPANX
Pants Petite XS | Shoes Size Up 1/2 Size | Top Petite XXS | Blazer Petite 00
LOFT Sutton Skinny
If you read my blog at all, you know I love LOFT. They have offered a great selection of Petites for many years and it wouldn’t seem right to have a round-up of petite-friendly pants and not include them. When it comes to their pants for work, they offer varying styles throughout the seasons and not every single one fits me well. So, I can’t vouch for every pair of pants they put out but will happily be reviewing and posting about what works well. Recently I tried their Sutton Skinny which has the comfort of a pair of jeans but comes in colors that can be worn in a business casual setting. They fit well and don’t stretch out too much (like the Riviera pants can).
Pants Petite 00 | Shoes TTS | Top Petite XXS | Cardigan XXS | Bag |
What Didn’t Work?
Old Navy Pixie pants are too long for me, but are a great affordable option if you’re a couple of inches taller than me.
I’m working on an updated petite jeans guide for fall similar to this with options by style!
-Brooke
