I recently went on the hunt for work tops with sleeves—and it wasn’t as easy as it should be. There are still so many oversized, puffy sleeve styles out there (a trend I’ve personally been ready to move on from for a while), and just as many sleeveless options, which don’t work for everyone.
After a bit of digging, I did find a few great tops with sleeves that feel polished without the extra volume. These are easy to wear tucked in or untucked and work well for everyday office outfits. There is still a sleeveless option in here, but more with sleeves than not.
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Four Petite-Friendly Spring Outfits for Work
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.
Petite-Friendly Slim Pants with a Modern Top
The Eva Pants from Ann Taylor are a slim straight ankle style made from 94% cotton and 6% spandex. They’re a mid-rise fit with a 9″ rise, and in petite they have a 25″ inseam. I found them to run snug through the hips and thighs, so I sized up for a better overall fit. That did leave me with a little extra room at the waist, but the improved fit through the hips and thighs was worth it. If you’re less curvy on the bottom, your true size should work well. The Eva Pants also come in a curvy option that I’ll try. It may be a better fit for my frame.
They’re machine washable, but with the higher cotton content I recommend washing in cold water and hanging to dry to help maintain the fit.
I paired the pants with an asymmetrical cotton top from Nordstrom. I’m wearing the top in XXS and find it to be true to size. I love that it can be worn untucked while still drawing attention to the waist, which helps create shape and balance.
Pants Petite 0 (also in curvy) 9″ rise, 25″ inseam | Top XXS in purple evening | Earrings | Shoes tts a little tight through the straps | Tote
I created the same outfit here with different colors if you prefer classic black and tan.
Pants Petite 0 (also in curvy) 9″ rise, 25″ inseam | Top XXS in black | Earrings | Shoes tts a little tight through the straps | Tote
An Easy, Polished Dolman Top
This dolman top is double lined with plenty of stretch, making it comfortable and easy to wear. It’s not cotton—though it has that soft, cotton-like feel. It’s labeled as ponte, but it’s much lighter and softer than what I typically think of with ponte fabrics.
I love the neckline and the subtle shirring at the sides, which adds a little shape without feeling fussy. It’s one of those tops that works just as well tucked in as it does worn untucked.
It also comes in petite, so the proportions are spot on—no gaping at the armholes, which is always a win. I styled it here tucked into the Eva pants for a more polished look.
Top Petite XS | Pants Petite 0 (also in curvy) 9″ rise, 25″ inseam | Belt | Shoes tts | Scarf | Earrings | Tote
Perfect Wide-Leg Pants
I’ve been sharing the Perfect Pants from Ann Taylor for quite some time—they’re an overall great option for many petites. In petite sizing, they have a 10″ rise and a 28.5″ inseam. This is an inseam that I personally need a low heel with, but I love the long, streamlined look it creates.
They’re a slim wide-leg style with a clean front (no pleats to add bulk), and they come in both regular and curvy fits. The curvy version works best for my frame. The fabric is a lightly stretchy blend of polyester, viscose, and spandex, and they’re machine washable. I find them to be true to size.
This pair is a warm white that works year-round. They aren’t see-through with nude undergarments, but the front pockets are white and show through.
In this outfit, I paired them with the one sleeveless top in this post—an option from White House Black Market that I love. I’m wearing it in the color Pumice, which is a great neutral. It fits me well in XXS with no gaping at the arms, and it’s one of those polished, versatile pieces that looks just as good on its own as it does layered under a blazer. I would add this blazer to this outfit.
Pants Petite 00 (curvy option) 10″ rise, 28.5″ inseam | Top XXS | Earrings | Shoes tts a little tight through the straps | Tote | Belt
Finding work tops with sleeves that are easy to wear isn’t always simple, but I’m really happy with how this lineup came together. These tops work just as well for the office as they do for casual outfits, so you can get more out of your wardrobe—something I’m always a big proponent of. As always, it’s less about strict rules and more about finding proportions that work for your frame. Hopefully, this gives you a few fresh ideas (and some better options) for building out your own petite-friendly work wardrobe.
