When it comes to a great pair of jeans – everyone is going to have a different opinion on what is the perfect pair. This season a wide range of styles are considered on-trend; wide, flare, straight, barrel, skinny – and cropped and full-length of all of the styles. After years of the high-rise reign, mid-rise jeans are popular this season. So, when it comes to what style you should wear, it’s all personal preference. I often write up denim guides for petites, to help you find a good fit, but this season I decided to create a series of posts dedicated to the different styles of jeans. I’ll be focusing on straight, wide, and flare jeans. Within each style, I’ll be sharing mid- and high-rise options, as well as slim and wide styles with different levels of stretch. Each style will have two dedicated posts; one is a review of the fit and measurements, and the other is where I show what kind of shoes pair with that style. I will also have two separate posts dedicated to price points – one with budget options and one with premium denim brands.
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Petite Jeans Series: Cropped Flare Jeans
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.
Cropped Flare Jeans
I’m starting the series with cropped flare jeans. Loved by some and hated by others, this style is fitted through the hips and thighs and flares at the ankle. The majority of the cropped flare jeans I’ve tried flare front to back, so from the front, they look a little like straight jeans.
Why I Love Them:
Cropped flare jeans fit slim through most of the leg, so I feel the best in this style. Proportionately, I’m wide through my hips, and the flare at the ankle balances my hips better than skinny or slim straight jeans. Many cropped flare styles are mid-rise, so they’re some of the most comfortable jeans in my closet. The wide open bottoms are easy to wear over boots and can be worn with most boot styles, even Chelsea boots.
How Long Should Cropped Flare Jeans Be?
The measurements given here are based on my personal measurements; yours may vary.
I will wear a cropped flare style that is anywhere between slightly above my ankle bone (a 24″ inseam) to right above my foot (a 26″ inseam). The length I choose depends on the shoes I want to wear with the jeans. I prefer the shorter inseam for spring and summer because it pairs well with the majority of shoes, with the exception of boots. A longer inseam, closer to the top of the foot, looks the best with boots but still works with slim flats, sandals, and sneakers. Examples coming in the next post
Measurements for the jeans are taken from the size I’m wearing and may or may not match the brand website. I double measure every pair and report the measurement I get. Inseam measurements are sometimes longer in larger sizes.
J.Crew ’03 Kick-Out Jeans
- Stretch: High stretch – lightweight denim
- Rise: Mid 9″
- Inseam: 24″ in petite
- Measurements taken from Petite 24
The ’03 Kick Out Jeans from J.Crew have a mid 9″ rise and a 24″ raw inseam in petite. These jeans have a high level of stretch and are true to size overall. They loosen some with wear but don’t bag out. A 24″ inseam is cropped above my ankle bone, so these jeans pair well with almost all shoes – except boots. For my friends with a shorter inseam, these may come closer to the top of your foot and would be perfect with all boots and slim shoe styles (I would avoid chunky styles if they hit close to the top of your foot).
Jeans Petite 24 | Top 00 | Shoes tts | Bag Polene Un Nano in Textured Tan
J.Crew ’03 Curvy Kick-Out Jeans
- Stretch: High stretch – lightweight denim
- Rise: High 11″
- Inseam: 24″ in petite
- Measurements taken from Petite 24
Although I find mid-rise jeans to be the most comfortable overall, I like the way high-rise jeans look on me the best. Since I’m wide through the hips, a high-rise balances my shape, whereas a mid-rise cuts close to my hips and makes me appear wider overall. The Curvy version of J.Crew ’03 Kick Out Jeans has the same 24″ inseam as the regular style but has a high 11″ rise. I didn’t find anything else to be different in the fit other than the rise. The jeans feel the same through the hips and thighs. I love them both, but since this style has a higher rise, they’re my personal pick.
The top I’m wearing is only lined at the chest, I have it layered with a camisole.
Jeans Petite 24 | Top XXS | Bag | Shoes tts
Madewell Mid-Rise Kick-Out Jeans
- Stretch: Hold you in thick denim with stretch
- Rise: Mid 9″ rise
- Inseam: 25.5″ in petite
- Measurements taken from Petite 24
Madewell jeans tend to be relatively thick, but they still have stretch. So, they hold you in, hold their shape, but are still comfortable to wear. The Mid-Rise Kick Out Jeans have a 9″ rise and a 25.5″ inseam in petite. They’re true to size. If I’m comparing the Madewell jeans to the J.Crew jeans, the Madewell pair is thicker and a little bit longer. The J.Crew jeans have the prettiest dark wash, which I personally love. Since the Madewell jeans are a little bit longer, they work well with boots.
Top XS | Jeans Petite 24 Schooner Wash | Necklace | Sandals | Bag
MOTHER Lil’ Hustler Ankle Fray
- Stretch: High stretch
- Rise: Ultra High 11″ rise
- Inseam: 25.5″ in petite
- Measurements were taken from Petite 24, and my measurements differ from those of the brand website (in rise).
MOTHER Lil’ Hustler Ankle Fray jeans have an ultra-high 11″ rise and a 25.5″ inseam in petite. They have a high level of stretch, nice booty lift, and are true to size overall. If you’re in between sizes, I would suggest a size up, as I found them to be slightly snug in the waist. The jeans have a lot of stretch, which is good for comfort, but I find they don’t hold me in as well through the rise as jeans from other brands. I’m planning a review of more petite jeans from MOTHER, some with a lower rise.
Jeans Petite 24 | Top XS | Shoes tts | Bag
Stay tuned for part two of this post with shoe pairings with cropped flare jeans. If this post wasn’t your style, don’t fret – I have many more petite-friendly denim options in different styles, fits, and budgets coming up in this series.
-Brooke
