Finding summer pants as a petite can be tricky—between inseams that are too long, rises that hit in the wrong spot, and fabrics that don’t hold up in the heat, it’s not always an easy win. So I tried on several and landed on seven pairs of summer pants—some casual, some work-friendly—that are worth a try for petites.

For reference, I’m 4’10” and typically wear Petite 00/XXS. I always share pieces unaltered so you can see how they fit straight off the rack. In this post, I’m breaking down fit, inseam, fabric, and how each pair holds up for summer wear. If you need help finding your own rise and inseam measurement, check out my tips for shopping online for petite pants and jeans.

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7 Petite-Friendly Pants for Summer (4’10”) | Casual + Workwear Try-On Review

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.

1. Madewell Emmy Pants

My Take:
Of all the pants I tried for this review, this pair is my favorite. They’re comfortable, the fit is spot on, and they aren’t fussy at all. You could easily wear them in a casual work environment, but they feel as comfortable as your favorite pair of jeans.

I especially love the higher 11″ rise. I usually struggle with front patch pockets because they can make my hips look wider, but the rise on these balances everything out and feels more flattering on my frame. The shade of blue is also a standout—something a little different from your typical denim.

*I noted the color to transfer in the wash (in cold water), so be careful what you wash them with.

Pants 24 Short | Top Petite XS | Sandals tts | Necklace | Earrings

2. Banana Republic Getaway Linen Pants

My Take:
I wanted to find a linen pant option with a shorter inseam than the pairs I tested in my recent wash-and-wear review, so when I saw this 25″ inseam from Banana Republic, I was immediately interested. I also love the color—it’s a great summer neutral.

I typically size up in Banana Republic Factory bottoms, but in this case that wasn’t necessary. The size up felt too big, so I’d recommend going true to size. I’m wearing Petite XS here, but Petite XXS would be a better fit for me. Try not to judge the fit too much from the photos and videos of me here, since they’re really a size too big for me.

These are labeled as a straight leg, but they have a relaxed, slightly wide fit. If 25″ is a full-length inseam on you, they should still work without feeling overwhelming.

Pants Petite XS recommend petite xxs | Top Petite XS | Sandals tts | Necklace | Earrings

3. J.Crew Factory Ella Pants

My Take:
The Ella Pants are lightweight, stretchy, and have a slim wide-leg fit that works well for petites. I can wear them in both petite and regular lengths—in this case, I chose the regular length because I prefer cropped wide-leg pants to hit at the top of my foot rather than show my ankle. If you have a shorter inseam, the petite option is a great alternative.

These are a nice option for a casual workplace or everyday wear. I first tried them in light yellow and loved the fit, but found them to be sheer. I returned that pair and ordered the green instead, which is not see-through at all.

Pants 24 Classic | Top Petite XS | Sandals tts | Necklace | Earrings

4. J.Crew Factory Double Gauze Pants

My Take:
The Double Gauze Pants from J.Crew Factory are made from 100% soft cotton and feel very comfortable to wear. I found them to run snug through the hips and thighs, so I recommend sizing up for the best fit.

In petite sizing, they have a 10″ rise and a 27″ inseam. I think these are a great option for the beach or to throw on over a swimsuit. They are lightweight and easy, but a bit sheer—so you’ll want to wear nude undergarments (as close to your skin tone as possible) underneath.

Pants Petite XS size up | Top Petite XS | Sandals tts | Necklace | Earrings

5. J.Crew Factory Remy Pants

Best for: Work/Elevated Casual
Fit Notes:

• Size worn: Petite 00 – size up if you border on sizing
• Rise: 10″
• Inseam: 28″
• Overall fit: I’m wearing my true size, but they are snug on my thighs. They do loosen with wear.

Fabric + Feel:

• 55% linen/45% cotton

My Take:

If you’re looking for a work-appropriate pant in natural fibers, this is a great option to try. The Remy Pants are a cotton-linen blend with a slim wide-leg fit and a 28″ inseam in petite.

The light color I’m wearing is slightly sheer, but they’re also available in darker shades where that won’t be an issue. I find them a bit snug through the thighs at first, but they do loosen with wear. I’d recommend going true to size, or sizing up if you’re between sizes.

Pants Petite 00 suggest sizing up | Top Petite XS | Shoes tts

6. Ann Taylor Eva Pants

Best for: Work/Elevated Casual
Fit Notes:

• Size worn: Petite 0 – size up
• Rise: 9″
• Inseam: 25.5″
• Overall fit: sized up, snug on hips and thighs

Fabric + Feel:

• 94% Cotton, 6% Spandex

My Take:

The Eva Pants from Ann Taylor are a great mid-rise option—always a win since I know many of you are looking for that harder-to-find rise. While I personally love a 10″ rise, it’s nice to have a well-fitting mid-rise alternative.

They’re made with 94% cotton, which is a standout in a sea of polyester dress pants. The quality feels great, and the fit is a slim straight with a 25″ ankle-length inseam in petite.

They have some stretch and are comfortable, but I did find them snug through the thighs, so I sized up. That said, they do loosen with wear, so I’d only recommend sizing up if you’re curvier through the hips and thighs.

Pants Petite 0 sized up |  Top XXS in purple evening | Earrings | Shoes tts a little tight through the straps

7. J.Crew Factory Nicki Pants

Fit Notes:

• Size worn: Petite 0 – size up
• Rise: 10″
• Inseam: 25.5″
• Overall fit: sized up, snug on hips and thighs

Fabric + Feel:

• 57% cotton/37% viscose/6% elastane

My Take:

The Nicki Pants from J.Crew Factory are a slim, cropped flare style made from a stretchy cotton, viscose, and elastane blend. They have a petite-friendly 25.5″ inseam.

I chose a summer-ready gingham print, but they also come in solid colors. To be fair, I don’t usually gravitate toward slim, printed pants since they can emphasize my hips—but I ended up really liking this pair. I balanced the look with a blazer on top, which helped create a more flattering proportion overall.

Pants Petite 0 sized up | Top XXS | Blazer Petite 00 | Earrings | Shoes tts a little tight through the straps

Overall, this was a great mix of summer pants, with a few real standouts. When it comes to finding pants as a petite, inseam and rise really make all the difference—and fabric matters just as much in the summer heat. Whether you’re looking for something polished for work or an easy pair for everyday, there are some really solid options here. As always, I hope this helps you narrow down what’s worth trying. And if you’ve found a great petite-friendly pair lately, let me know—I’m always testing more!