I share a petite denim guide every season with multiple pairs of jeans that fit me without hemming (at 4’10”). Although we may be similar in height, everyone has different proportions, so to help you find the best pair for you, I share the rise and inseam measurements for each pair. When I started focusing on finding petite styles a few years ago, jeans were always the biggest issue for petites and the most requested topic. So, over the years I have tested and tried petite and short jeans from brands all over to not only find the ones with the best petite fit but also the best quality and comfort overall. My goal is never to tell you to go out and buy every pair I try, it’s to help you pick the best pair for you based on my experience (and hopefully save you a return).
Every guide is different because I focus on in-stock styles for each one, but in this post, I’m also including where to find great mid-rise and budget-friendly options (the exact styles shared just may not be well stocked currently). I have found petite-friendly jeans starting at $20 and on up from there. While some of the jeans I recommend are over $100 full-price, they do and will go on sale (I often share those sales on my IG story).
Inseam & Sizing
I think it’s important to talk about inseam before we get started. I base my inseam measurement on the inside of my leg to my ankle bone, which is 25″. So, if I’m looking for a cropped pair of jeans (above my ankle bone) I’m looking for a 24″ inseam, where most of the popular styles this season (slim straight jeans and cropped flare jeans), I’m looking for a 26″ inseam that comes to the top of my foot. If I’m looking at full-length flare or wide-leg pants, I prefer a 29″ inseam to wear them with a heel (for extra leg-lengthening). To note, for a longer pair of jeans to work on me, it needs to be open enough at the bottom to slide over a pair of boots, otherwise, it’s just bunchy and makes me look shorter. The torso is another area that is often tricky from person to person and something I’m asked about often. I am overall proportionate and do not have a short or long torso (although I would consider myself to just be short all around). I can wear high-rise jeans without issue, but all of the brands I share also have some mid and low-rise options that work well for petites.
Affiliate links are included in this post.
Petite-Jeans Guide Shopping Guide: Winter Edition
My Sizing: I’m 4’10” and my bust, waist, and hip measurements are 32″, 24″ and 36″. My inseam is 25″ (the measurement of 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.
In this post, I’m wearing this top in XS and these boots in my true size.
Abercrombie 90s Ultra High Rise Straight Jeans
- Size: 24 extra short tts
- Rise: 10.5”
- Inseam: 26”
- Under $100
Abercrombie 90s Ultra High Rise Straight Jeans 24 Extra Short
Abercrombie has great petite-friendly jeans. Some of my favorite styles there include:
- Ultra High Rise Ankle Jeans (in short)
- 90s Relaxed Jeans (in short to wear with boots, in extra short to wear with flats)
- Mid-Rise Straight Jeans (in extra short)
- Mom Jeans (in short)
The Ultra High Rise Straight Jeans are rigid but do loosen and stretch some with wear, so I would go with your true size. I love this style worn with boots, flats, and slim sneakers tucked underneath.
Abercrombie 90s Relaxed Jeans
- Size: 24 short tts
- Rise: 10.5”
- Inseam: 29” (in short) 27″ (in extra short)
- Under $100
Abercrombie 90s Relaxed Jeans 24 Short and Extra Short
Wide-leg jeans are hard to pull off on my shape. I’m short and wide through the hips so I look thick in a pair of wide-leg jeans. However, if there was ever a pair that I like to wear, it’s this pair from Abercrombie. They have an ultra-high rise and in short, they’re long enough for heels or heeled boots, which helps lengthen the legs. I also have these jeans in extra short to wear with flats. If you prefer a lower rise, Madewell makes great wide-leg jeans in petite that are lower (9″ rise and 27″ inseam in petite).
Aritzia Denim Forum Arlo Straight Jeans
- Size: 25 short (I sized up, but they stretch out quite a bit with wear, so you may be better off with your true size)
- Rise: 10.5”
- Inseam: 26″ (in short)
- Over $100
This is my first try of Aritzia’s jeans and they did not disappoint. These jeans have a classic 90s fit, they’re high rise and the denim is rigid but comfortable to wear. They’re lighter in weight, compared to Abercrombie jeans. I did go up a size because I find Aritzia to run small, but they stretch a lot with wear, so you may be better off with your true size instead.
Aritzia Denim Forum Arlo Straight Jeans 25 Short
MOTHER Denim The Hustler Ankle Fray
- Size: 24 petite tts
- Rise: 11”
- Inseam: 25.5″
- Over $200
MOTHER Denim recently started carrying petites and they quickly sold out before I could snag a pair to try from their website. However, I was browsing Anthropologie and came across a fully in-stock pair so I was excited to try them. These jeans are expensive (over $200) but they do have a great fit that holds its shape. The denim is lightweight and stretchy so they’re very comfortable to wear – but because they’re lightweight, they don’t hold me in like some of my other jeans.
MOTHER Denim The Hustler Ankle Fray Petite 24
Madewell 90s High Rise
- Size: 24 petite (in cream these run a little bit big, but if you want a baggy fit, go with your true size)
- Rise: 10”
- Inseam: 28″
- Over $100
Madewell’s 90’s straight jeans have a true straight fit. The denim is rigid, but comfortable overall. I have these jeans in black, blue, and cream – the black and blue are true to size for me, but the cream pair runs large.
Madewell 90s High Rise Petite 24
It wouldn’t be a denim guide if I didn’t include Madewell jeans. Madewell jeans were the first pair of expensive (over $100) jeans I bought. It was a splurge, but being used to less expensive options that didn’t fit me well and needed to be replaced often due to fading and wear, I just had to know if the more expensive jeans were worth it. To me – they were and still very much are. The fit and quality difference is night and day. I know it’s not in everyone’s budget, but if you can buy one pair of jeans and wear it for years (and still look nice and new years later) the jeans make up for the cost over time. Madewell occasionally puts their jeans on sale (30-40%) so I would keep an eye out for that if you want to try them!
In this guide, I’m only including the 90s High Rise because it’s the only pair that’s well stocked at the moment, but some of my favorite styles from Madewell are:
- Kick Out Crop
- Perfect Vintage Straight
- Perfect Vintage Flare
Mid-Rise Options
If you’re looking for mid-rise I have a few great options to share with you! Some of these are low in stock or out of stock completely, but it should still help you find brands and styles that will work for you! Each pair has a 9″ rise.
Under $50 Petite Jeans
If you’re looking for less expensive options I’ve found a few brands with great petite options. Most of these are low in stock, but they’re great brands to check out for restocks and new arrivals.
You can find more recent Petite Jeans Shopping Guides Below:
-Brooke
