Relaxed straight jeans are a great in-between option for petites who want to wear relaxed, on-trend denim styles but feel like wide-leg jeans are just a little too wide. You still get a roomier fit through the leg, but the slimmer leg opening can feel a little easier to wear on a petite frame.
I rounded up four relaxed straight jeans with different rises, inseams, and denim weights. As always, I’m sharing my measurements and fit notes to help you compare each pair to your own proportions.
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.
Levi’s 501 ’90s Ankle Jeans
The Levi’s 501 ’90s Ankle Jeans have a loose, relaxed fit with a slimmer leg opening. I’m wearing them in a size 23, sizing down from my typical size 24, and I chose the 27″ inseam option.
These jeans are made from 100% cotton, so there isn’t any stretch in the denim. However, because the overall fit is relaxed, I still find them comfortable. The denim also relaxes with wear, so they become a little looser as you wear them.
The 27″ inseam works well on my 4’10” frame, but the slimmer opening at the ankle makes this particular pair a little harder for me to style with boots. I prefer them with sneakers, ballet flats, or sandals.
Fit Details:
- Size worn: 23
- Rise: 9.5″
- Inseam: 27″
- 100% cotton
- No stretch
- Relaxed fit that loosens with wear
- I size down in this style
Jeans 23 x 27″ in sweetest taboo wash | Top XXS | Shoes tts | Bag
Quince Bella Relaxed Straight Jeans
The Bella Relaxed Straight Jeans from Quince were my most-worn jeans last fall and winter. I reach for them so often because they’re comfortable, hold their shape well, and have a relaxed fit without feeling overly loose or wide. I also love the way the leg opening works with boots.
The Bella jeans are a high-rise style with an average rise of 10.5″. However, in the smallest size I’m wearing, I measure the rise at 10″. They’re also offered in several inseam options, starting with Extra Short at 26″ and Short at 28″, with longer lengths available as well.
My favorite wash is the dark Stormy Blue, but Quince offers several washes.
I find the Bella jeans to be true to size. They’re snug across my hips when I first put them on, but they loosen slightly with wear and become comfortable. I’ve tried sizing up, but the larger size loosened a little too much for me over time, so I prefer to stay with my true size.
These jeans are a medium-weight blend of cotton, Tencel, and spandex, giving them more flexibility than rigid denim while still holding their shape well.
One thing I’ve noticed after owning and washing several pairs is that they can shrink a little in the dryer. To preserve the fit and wash the best, I recommend washing them in cold water and hanging them to dry. Drying them on low also works well and is probably the more practical option if you don’t want to hang your jeans to dry every time.
Fit Details:
- True to size
- Rise: approximately 10″ in my size
- Extra Short inseam: 26″
- Short inseam: 28″
- Medium-weight denim
- Cotton, Tencel, and spandex blend
- Comfortable with some stretch
- Holds its shape well
- May shrink slightly in the dryer
I personally wear both the 26″ and 28″ inseams. The 26″ length works well for me with flats, sneakers, and sandals. I love the 28″ inseam with boots and heels. I can technically wear the 28″ length with flats with a little bunching at the ankle, so I often choose that length to get the most versatility out of the jeans.
Jeans 24 Extra Short & Short in stormy blue | Sweater XS | Bag | Shoes tts
Quince Luna Relaxed Straight Jeans
If you like the relaxed shape of the Bella jeans but prefer a mid-rise, the Luna Relaxed Straight Jeans are another option from Quince.
The Luna jeans have a 9″ rise, which makes them a nice alternative for petites who find a 10″ or higher rise to be too much for their proportions. They have a similar relaxed straight shape to the Bella jeans and many of the same overall fit qualities.
The biggest difference, aside from the rise, is the inseam selection. Unfortunately, the Luna jeans aren’t currently offered in multiple inseam options. The standard inseam is 28″, so you’ll want to compare that measurement to jeans you already own to determine how the length will work for you.
Like the Bella, these have a relaxed shape that isn’t overly wide, making them a good option if you want a looser jean while still keeping a relatively streamlined silhouette.
Fit Details:
- Mid-rise
- Rise: 9″
- Inseam: 28″
- Relaxed straight fit
- Similar overall fit to the Bella
- No petite inseam options
Jeans 24 in charcoal black | Jacket XS | Tank Top XS | Sneakers size up 1/2 size | Bag
Abercrombie ’90s Relaxed Jeans
The Abercrombie ’90s Relaxed Jeans have a high rise and a slim relaxed-straight shape. They’re another good option if you like the idea of relaxed denim but don’t want a particularly wide leg.
I’m wearing these in a size 25 Extra Short in the medium wash. The Extra Short length has a 27.5″ inseam, and the rise is approximately 10.5″.
The denim is 99% cotton and 1% elastane with a thick, vintage feel. There is a little stretch, but they’re not nearly as stretchy as the Quince jeans. I still find them comfortable thanks to the relaxed fit through the leg.
I’ve found that Abercrombie jeans can shrink a little over time with washing, so I go up a size in this pair. I love the overall fit and look of them, especially if you’re looking for a substantial denim that holds its shape.
Abercrombie offers this style in several washes, but Extra Short isn’t always available in every wash. I recommend clicking through the different color options to see which ones are currently stocked in the Extra Short length.
Fit Details:
- Size worn: 25 Extra Short
- Rise: 10.5″
- Inseam: 27.5″
- 99% cotton, 1% elastane
- Thick, vintage-feel denim
- Minimal stretch
- I size up due to some shrinkage over time
- Extra Short availability varies by wash
Jeans 25 Extra Short in medium wash | Top XS | Bag| Shoes
Relaxed Straight Jeans for Petites
If wide-leg jeans feel like a little too much volume for you, relaxed straight jeans can be an easier way to wear a looser denim silhouette. They give you more room through the leg than a traditional straight jean but still have a narrower leg opening that can feel balanced on a petite frame.
Of these four pairs, the Quince Bella jeans offer the most petite-friendly length options and are the pair I wear most often. The Luna is a similar option for those who prefer a mid-rise, while the Levi’s offer a relaxed 100% cotton option. The Abercrombie pair has a thicker, more vintage denim feel with an Extra Short inseam that works well for petites.
Ultimately, the best pair will depend on the rise, inseam, and amount of stretch you prefer, but all four are worth a look if you’re searching for relaxed denim without going all the way to a wide-leg jean.
