The best petite jeans to shop if you’re small in stature but big on style

When it comes to fashion, having a petite frame has its challenges. And when you’re shopping for the best petite jeans? It’s even tougher. While jeans shopping is hardly recognised as a joy for any body type (especially if you’re shopping for jeans online – although check out our round-up of useful tips to help) it’s even more tricky for petite women. So, if you’re searching for the best petite jeans, we’re here to help.

Often, being petite is relegated to something of a Champagne problem. The general consensus? That surely you can just buy regular jeans and get them shortened? Or cropped jeans and they’ll fit you as full-length? No. It’s a hard no from us. There are several reasons why, the first being A) Why should you have to? And B), chopping a foot of fabric off your brand new jeans purchase is wasteful (and hardly sustainable). 

C)? If you buy regular jeans and have them altered at the hem, it still won’t make them fit the length of your legs or the rest of your frame. Ever tried on a pair of regular jeans where the ‘knee’ rip sits over your shin? Not a good look. On an actual pair of petite jeans, the rip will be over your knee. Likewise you want to make sure the rise (the length from crotch to waistband) fits you too, unless you want your denims to be SK8R Boi low.

Where to buy petite jeans: the best petite jeans at a glance

1. Best petite jeans UK overall: Petite 76s Organic Cotton Wide Leg Jean, WAS £52, NOW £41.60, Warehouse
2. Best petite boyfriend jeans: Petite Boyfriend Jean, WAS £59, NOW £35, Oasis
3. Best skinny jeans for petite curvy: Good Girlfriend Petite, £149, Good American
4. Best white petite jeans: Petite Classic Cut Slim Leg Jean, WAS £49, NOW £39.20, Karen Millen
5. Best petite jeans on Amazon: Only Petite Women’s Jeans, £28.60, Amazon

Our top advice? If you need a new pair of jeans and are under 5’3”, get out your tape measure to check the inside leg length of any prospective purchase. Also, remember to check out the model’s height. Often online clothing stores use the same model for a batch of product, meaning jeans that would be perfect on you look like pedal-pushers on someone 5’11”.

Many retailers still lack a dedicated petite section – designer brands in particular seem to cater to taller women. No shade if you’re Tall or shop Curve sizes – fashion needs to be as inclusive as possible – but searching for jeans that fit shorter legs is not easy. Here’s a helpful reminder to retailers: petite doesn’t have to equal size 6 or smaller, either, because bodies come in every height and size combo.