Jeans are the ideal item for any wardrobe. However, as a 5-foot-tall woman, I dread buying them. Trying on jeans has always made me feel like a kid putting on her mom’s clothes: They’re normally too long or baggy enough to swallow me. Plus, finding petite jeans in a range of sizes is even more difficult.
I can’t be the only one, so I talked to experts to determine the best jeans for shorter women, asking about style, fit and inseam length to make your shopping experience as easy as possible. The experts even gave tips on what to wear once you find your perfect pair of denim.
Discover some of the Shop TODAY editors’ favorites below, along with the brands and styles recommended by experts.
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What are petite jeans?
Style coach Lisa Emelo defined "petite sizing" as people who are 5 feet, 3 inches tall or under. Petite jeans and their inseams are made specifically for people who fit these heights. Brands often have separate petite sections, but sellers may also sell the same jeans in short lengths.
According to Emelo, once you find your own inseam and rise, "those will be the proportions that you need to find the right jeans for your body."
What to look for in jeans
The most important things to look for in jeans are the inseam, rise and style. Emelo says that you can typically find inseam and rise in the sizing and fit sections, and women should consider both carefully when shopping for petite jeans.
- Inseam: Style coach Nesta Simone recommends measuring your inseam before shopping. The inseam is “the measurement from your crotch to your ankle bone," says Emelo. This is important in determining how long your jeans should be to match your body proportions. Senior Vice President of Design at Silver Jeans Co. Janice Marks also emphasizes that your inseam will depend on how long you want the jeans to be. Her inseam lengths are 29 inches for full-length jeans, 26/27 inches for ankle-length jeans, and 23/24 inches for cropped jeans.
- Rise: Wardrobe stylist Beverly Osemwenkhae is a fan of high-rise jeans for shorter women, and the other stylists we spoke with agree. According to Emelo, the rise is the measurement “from the crotch to the top of the belly button." Once you have your rise measurement, you can determine whether you want a low, mid or high rise. For petite women, the stylists recommended mostly mid- and high-rise jeans, because they elongate your frame and make you look taller.
- Style: All of the stylists agree that a straight leg jean looks amazing on petite women for everyday activities. Marks also likes skinny jeans, while Osemwenkhae is a fan of the bootcut style. If you're looking to elongate your legs, Simone recommends a flare cut since this will elongate your figure.
How to find the best petite jeans
Before you pull out your wallet, decide what you want your jeans to do for you. Are you looking for comfort? Do you want to look taller? Do you want to make a statement or is versatility your priority? Decide the style based on your preferences.
Then, measure your inseam and know the lengths you want for a mid-rise or high-rise pair. Make sure the jeans don't feel too tight around your waist or bottom area, because if you want to wear them all day, they should feel comfortable while standing and sitting.
The best editor-tested petite jeans
“These [Old Navy] jeans are the perfect hybrid of a skinny and boot leg and look great with sandals or a pair of flats,” mentions Shop TODAY associate editor Shannon Garlin. “If you’re on the shorter side, I definitely recommend getting the petite length because they run long,” she suggests.
If you’re looking for a Y2K-style pair of low-rise jeans, Shop TODAY editorial assistant Madison San Miguel loves this pair. She struggled to find jeans with the right length and waist gap. “This pair is one of my favorites because it is roomy in the thighs, and is available in short and extra short lengths,” San Miguel says. “It’s a dream come true!”
Shop TODAY senior editor Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil is 5 feet, 2 inches and prefers cropped jeans. These jeans are a staple in her closet. "I own them in several washes — they’re so flattering and the perfect length," she says.
Garlin struggled to find jeans that fit before this Abercrombie pair. "I also have a smaller waist and round bottom, so most jeans give me that annoying gap," Garlin says. "These fit perfectly and are pretty true to size." They come in whatever jean color you can dream up, with 15 different washes available.
These are Shop TODAY production associate Audrey Ekman's favorite jeans of 2024. "I instantly feel so chic and put-together when I pull them on," says Ekman. "The high waist is super flattering, they’re designed to hit at the ankle and they’re offered in a couple of inseam lengths, which means they actually fit my 5-foot, 1-inch frame right off the rack!"
Ekman is used to hemming her jeans, but she could wear this pair right off the shelf! They hit at the top of her feet: "I’m obsessed with barrel jeans right now, and these have that perfect balance of a roomier leg through the knee and a taper at the ankle that’s super flattering and comfy," Ekman says.
The best expert-recommended jeans
Simone likes that Asos provides a variety of jeans, and these are the perfect pairs that can be dressed up or down. The neutral and black washes can be made work-appropriate with a blazer or formal top. However, the light-blue wash is more casual (but very versatile).
The Gap is your affordable jeans go-to. Emelo is a fan of this pair and recommends straight-leg jeans for everyone because they "create one long lean line and make legs appear longer." They're also available in five different washes and feature short and petite sizes.
If you're looking for bell bottoms, Emelo recommends this affordable pair currently on sale! The button-flap patch pockets on the front and back add another adorable touch to this vintage style. To stick to Mark's advice about wider-leg jeans, it's best to wear a tighter, lighter fabric top with these.
Emelo defines a wide-leg jean as "fitted in the hip but is wide in the thigh all the way down to the ankle." When buying wide-leg jeans, it's important not to let the material swallow you. This pair, which Emelo recommends, has both petite sizes and regular sizes with short lengths to give you options.
Emelo says cropped jeans generally flatter shorter women and says that the cropped length "should end two inches above the ankle."
Simone finds that Free People jeans have a lot of variety for shorter women, and these flashy flare jeans are here to make a statement. Not only did reviewers like the length, but the star design on the bottoms adds a fun touch to any outfit.
How to style jeans
Simone styles jeans depending on the client’s lifestyle. For a busy mom, she would recommend a button-down shirt or T-shirt on top. For more professional settings, she says to add a blazer on top or a half-tucked-in sweater for colder months.
- Straight-leg jeans: Osemwenkhae says these allow for a variety of footwear, including flats, Chelsea boots or pumps.
- Bootcut/flare jeans: Osemwenkhae also says heels are a good option for these styles because they help make your legs look longer.
- Wide-leg jeans: Marks doesn’t recommend wearing anything too baggy on the upper body if you’re wearing this style, and she suggests adding high shoes to elongate the legs.
Frequently asked questions
Jeans that are "short" just have a shorter leg length, but petite jeans are made specifically for shorter women, which means elements like the knee placement, pockets and body shape are taken into consideration.
How we chose
Shop TODAY’s recommendations for the best jeans came from the advice and guidance of stylists, as well as the opinions of team editors. While considering materials, comfort and price, we selected the best pairs of jeans for your style and preferences, keeping editors' recommendations.
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Meet the experts
- Lisa Emelo is a wardrobe coach and personal shopper specializing in corporate styling.
- Janice Marks is the Senior Vice President of Design at Silver Jeans Co.
- Beverly Osemwenkhae is a New York City-based wardrobe stylist who runs Project Bee Wardrobe Consulting.
- Nesta Simone is a New York City/New Jersey-based style coach.
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