When it comes to spring and summer, finding shorts that fit well as a petite can be tricky.
I tend to look for styles that strike the balance of being modest, but not too long on my short legs, a fit that doesn’t cling to my thighs, and fabrics that don’t ride up throughout the day. Those three things make all the difference in whether a pair of shorts actually works for me.
In today’s post, I’m sharing a few pairs of shorts for spring and summer that passed my wash and wear test and feel promising for petites with a similar body type.
Affiliate links are included in this post.
Spring & Summer Shorts for Petites
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.
My Body Type
By my measurements, I’m pear-shaped (32”, 24”, 36”). I’m a small person overall and typically wear a size 00/24, but proportionately I’m wider through my hips with fuller thighs. Because of that, I often run into pieces fitting well everywhere else but feeling too tight through my hips and thighs.
Shorts, in particular, can be especially tricky. When they’re too tight through the thighs, they’re not only uncomfortable, but they can also make your legs look heavier and shorter than they are.
So when I’m shopping for shorts, I’m always keeping a few key things in mind—and those are exactly what I’m sharing below.
What I Look for in Shorts as a Petite with Fuller Thighs
Over time, I’ve found a few key things that make shorts work better for my frame:
- A slightly longer inseam (typically 4”–5”) for a bit more coverage without overwhelming my height. I’ll occasionally go for a 3”–3.5” inseam, but nothing shorter, and I find 6” to be too long on me.
- A relaxed fit through the thighs so they don’t cling or feel restrictive. A-line and “dad” styles, especially in denim, tend to work really well for me.
- A higher rise to help balance proportions on a shorter frame.
If a pair checks these boxes, it’s usually a good sign they’ll work beyond just the try-on.
Petite-Friendly Shorts That Don’t Cling or Ride Up (First Impressions)
Abercrombie Cotton Pull-on Short
Size worn: XS
Rise: 11″
Inseam: 3″
Fabric: 100% cotton
First impression:
These have a relaxed fit and I love the feminine details. In yellow (and likely white), they’re fully lined, which is a nice bonus. They do feel a bit short on me, and I’m curious to see how much they wrinkle with wear since they’re 100% cotton.
What I like:
They’re very comfortable and don’t cling anywhere. The fit through the thighs is easy, which I always look for.
Wash Test:
They wrinkled a little bit with wear, but I didn’t note any significant shrinkage. I washed them in cold water and hung them to dry. In the video the shorts are shown washed and worn.
Although these cotton shorts from Abercrombie feel a little on the shorter side for me, I really love the details and appreciate that they’re fully lined. Based on my experience with their pants, I would guess that only the lighter colors are lined. They’re very comfortable to wear and have a soft, feminine feel. I paired them with a lace-detail tank that complements the look nicely. The tank is slightly sheer and a bit open at the buttons, so I layered it over a camisole (which I’m wearing here).
Shorts XS | Top XXS | Shoes tts | Bag | Earrings
Abercrombie Dad Shorts
Size worn: 25 (sized up)
Rise: 11″
Inseam: 4.5″ (listed as 5″, but mine measure slightly shorter)
Fabric: 99% cotton, 1% elastane
First impression:
I sized up in this pair to make sure they wouldn’t cling to my hips and thighs, and I love the relaxed fit. They’re a bit loose at the waist, but I actually prefer that in shorts. The rise and length both feel just right.
What I like:
I love the inseam and the relaxed fit when sized up. They don’t cling to my thighs, which is a big win. In white, they’re not see-through at all—even with non-nude underwear. They are low stretch, and do ride up a little bit with wear, but full coverage underwear can help with that.
What Test:
They didn’t have any noticable shrinkage or wrinkling with wear. The video to the right shows the shorts washed and worn.
I tried the Dad Shorts from Abercrombie in both a medium wash and white, and loved both. Sizing up gave me that easy, relaxed fit I look for—looser at the waist and roomy through the thighs. The white pair, in particular, is not see-through at all, which is always a plus.
Shorts 25 sized up | Red Top XS | White Top XS | Crossbody Bag shortened strap with this tool | Sandals tts | Straw Bag
Aritzia Lodge Shorts
Size worn: XXS (but may prefer XS)
Rise: 11″
Inseam: 5″
Fabric: 100% polyester
First impression:
These have the same wrinkle-resistant fabric and drape as the Lodge Pants, and I love them. They feel elevated but are still really comfortable. I tried them in XXS, but they’re a bit snug at the waist, so I plan to try XS for a better fit.
What I like:
They’re incredibly comfortable and have that polished, wrinkle-free look that makes them easy to dress up.
Wash Test:
The shorts didn’t shrink or wrinkle in the wash. They also didn’t wrinkle with wear. They’re a true easy care option. I sized up to XS for my wash and wear pair, shown in the video to the right after washing and wearing.
I tried the Lodge Shorts from Aritzia after loving the Lodge Pants, and they’re just as good. They have the same wrinkle-resistant crepe fabric and a relaxed, breathable fit. While the fabric itself isn’t especially airy, the looser cut makes them comfortable to wear. I started with XXS, but went back for XS for a more comfortable fit at the waist.
Shorts XXS but recommend XS in dark night navy | Cardigan Petite XS | Shoes tts | Bag | Earrings
J.Crew Patch Pocket Chino Shorts
Size worn: 24
Rise: 10.5″
Inseam: 4″
Fabric: 97% cotton
First impression:
I love the print of these shorts and the overall fit. They’re loose at my waist, fit well through my hips, don’t cling to my thighs. They ride up a little with wear. They’re also not sheer, which is always a plus.
What I like:
I love both the print and the fit—these feel like an easy, comfortable option for everyday wear.
Wash Test:
I didn’t note any shrinkage with the shorts. They were wrinkled out of the wash and required ironing, and there was light wrinkling with wear. In the video they are shown washed and worn.
These chino shorts from J.Crew are a classic cotton style with a 4″ inseam that feels modest without clinging to my thighs. The fabric has a nice weight to it, so they’re not see-through, and being cotton, they’re breathable for warmer weather. I’d consider them true to size.
Shorts 24 | Top XXS | Shoes tts | Bag | Earrings
Shorts 00/XXS | Tank Top Petite XS a little sheer | Sandals tts | Straw Bag
You can find a review of all of the shoes I’m wearing in this post here.
When it comes to shorts, I’ve found that the right fit makes all the difference—especially if you’re petite with a bit more shape through the thighs like I am. These all passed my first try-on test, which is a great start, and I’m excited to see how they hold up with real wear. As always, I’ll keep sharing what works (and what doesn’t).
