Wide leg trousers have become a wardrobe staple, but if you’re petite, finding a pair that doesn’t require alterations can still be a challenge. Since so many of you have asked how some of the most popular styles compare, I rounded up four of the best-known options to see how they fit on my 4’10” frame.
Before we dive in, it’s worth remembering that height is only part of the equation. Proportions matter just as much. Personally, I can comfortably wear a 27.5″ inseam with flats, and a 28″ inseam works with a low heel or a little bunching at the hem. For consistency, I’m wearing the same pair of 2-inch heels with every pair of trousers in today’s review so you can compare the lengths side by side. If your legs are shorter or longer than mine, these same trousers may fit very differently.
One thing all four pairs have in common is an 11.5″ rise. That’s definitely on the higher side for petites, but it’s also pretty standard for today’s wide leg trousers. If you prefer a lower rise, several of these styles are also offered in low-rise versions that may be worth considering.
Affiliate links are included in this post.
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.
LOFT Versa Crepe Drape Palazzo Pants
The LOFT Versa Crepe Drape Palazzo Pants are the shortest pair in today’s comparison.
With an 11.5″ rise and a 27.5″ inseam in petite sizing, they hit just where I like a full-length trouser to fall. The leg is also the widest of all four pants, creating a very fluid, drapey silhouette that feels modern (and very comfortable).
They fit me true to size in Petite 00 and are machine washable, which is always a bonus for workwear.
Fit Notes
- Petite 00
- True to size
- 11.5″ rise
- 27.5″ inseam (petite)
- Widest leg opening of the four
- Machine washable
Pants Petite 00 | Top XS | Shoes tts | Belt
Gap 365 Trousers
The Gap 365 Trousers are another great option if you’re looking to stay under the $100 mark.
They have the same 11.5″ rise with a slightly longer 28″ inseam in petite sizing. On my frame, they’re a great full-length option with the 2-inch heels I’m wearing in this comparison.
The leg is still wide, but slimmer than the LOFT Palazzo Pants. They are also offered in a low-rise option.
I found them true to size and wear Petite 00.
Fit Notes
- Petite 00
- True to size
- 11.5″ rise
- 28″ inseam (petite)
- Slightly slimmer leg than the LOFT Palazzo
- Under $100
Pants Petite 00 exact color is from a previous season | Top XS | Shoes tts | Belt
Abercrombie Sloan Trousers
The Sloan Trousers continue to be one of Abercrombie’s most popular work pants, and they’re a nice middle ground if you prefer a slightly slimmer wide leg.
Rather than petite sizing, Abercrombie offers inseam options. I’m wearing the Short length, which measures a 28.25″ inseam with the same 11.5″ rise.
The fabric is a polyester and viscose blend with a soft brushed finish that feels a little different from the crepe fabrics of the other trousers.
The fit is true to size at the waist, and I wear a size 24 Short. Also available in low rise.
Fit Notes
- Size 24 Short
- True to size
- 11.5″ rise
- 28.25″ inseam
- Slightly slimmer than the LOFT and Gap styles
- Soft brushed polyester/viscose blend
Pants 24 Short | Top XS | Shoes tts | Belt
Aritzia Effortless Pants
The Aritzia Effortless Pants are probably the most talked-about trousers on the market, and after trying them, it’s easy to understand why.
The construction and fabric feel noticeably more premium than the other options in this comparison. Although they’re also made primarily from polyester (japanese crepe), the fabric has a lighter, more luxurious feel with beautiful drape, and the overall tailoring is excellent.
That said, they’re also the least petite-friendly of the group.
The rise measures the same 11.5″, but the inseam comes in at 29.5″, making them simply too long for my 4’10” frame. Even with the 2-inch heels I’m wearing throughout this post, they still need to be hemmed before I could comfortably wear them.
The leg is also the slimmest of the four, creating a refined wide leg silhouette rather than an oversized one. They are also offered in a low-rise option.
Fit Notes
- Size 0
- Runs small, size up
- 11.5″ rise
- 29.5″ inseam
- Slimmest leg opening of the four
- Premium-feeling fabric and construction
- Will require hemming on my frame
Pants 0 Short | Top XS | Shoes tts | Belt
Final Thoughts
If you’re hoping to skip alterations, the LOFT Versa Crepe Drape Palazzo Pants are the easiest recommendation thanks to their 27.5″ petite inseam. The Gap 365 Trousers are another strong option if you’re looking for a true full-length trouser with a low heel.
The Abercrombie Sloan Trousers are a great choice if you prefer ordering by inseam instead of petite sizing and like a slightly slimmer silhouette with a softer fabric.
While the Aritzia Effortless Pants are beautifully made and live up to their reputation, they’re also the least petite-friendly in terms of length. If you’re willing to invest in hemming, they’re absolutely worth considering. If you’re looking for a pair you can wear straight out of the package, one of the shorter options will likely be a better fit.
For reference, every pair shown in this post is styled with the same 2-inch heels, making it easier to compare how each inseam falls on my 4’10” frame. As always, remember that inseam recommendations are only a starting point. Two petites can be the same height but have completely different proportions. That’s why I always share both the rise and inseam measurements—hopefully making it a little easier to find trousers that work for your frame without the guesswork.
