I'm 4 foot 11, which makes shopping for jeans a significant challenge. In the past, I've either had to budget for expensive alterations or simply accept the bunched, excess fabric at my ankle — but since the rise of the internet, the best jeans for short women are infinitely easier to find and purchase. Popular online retailers now offer a much wider selection of lengths and sizes, which is an exciting development for especially petite (or tall) people.
Please note that this is not a "which jeans will suit my body-type?" article. Style is subjective, and you should opt for whichever cut and rise you prefer, regardless of your height. For that reason, I'll be focusing primarily on inseam when outlining the best jeans for petite women; whether you prefer skinny high-waisted, a boyfriend cut, or a classic fit, length is the primary quality that makes a jean ideal for short women.
The inseam is the distance between the crotch of the pants down to the hem, and will determine how far the legs reach. (If you're not sure of your inseam, grab a tape measure and find out before you start shopping.) For women who are 5 feet 3 inches or under, a "petite" inseam is considered anywhere from 25 to 28 inches. Of course, the length will differ depending on the style; boyfriend jeans and capris will be closer to 23 inches, while bootcut and flare can be as long as 30 and still be considered "short."
If you're unsure where to find the best jeans for short women, I've researched 10 options in all different styles — and all of them have shorter inseams, so you don't have to tuck, roll, or alter.
1The Best Skinny Jeans For Short Women (According To TONS Of Reviewers)
This pair is a number-one bestseller with over 2,500 reviews. In creating their modern skinny jeans, Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. made an accessible, stylish pair for various sizes and heights. This mid-rise fit is made from primarily cotton with a bit of stretch thrown in, so they're durable and hold their shape all day, but still allow for comfortable wear. It's available in 13 different denim washes, 14 different sizes through plus, and three different lengths including short.
- Inseam: 27 inches
- Available Sizes: 2 short — 28 short
2The Best Plus-Size Petite Jeans
In addition to size options that span up to a 30, LEE Rebound skinny jeans also offer petite options with a 27-inch inseam. The blend of cotton, polyester, and spandex create what reviewers call the "best fitting jeans [they've] ever bought" while still offering "enough stretch for a comfortable feel" — and best of all, there's "no need to hem them." Get them in eight different colors, including a few fun shades like tarmac green, regal purple, and spade gray.
- Inseam: 27 inches
- Available Sizes: 16 petite — 30 petite
3The Most Comfortable Jeans For Short Women
According to reviewers, Jag straight jeans are the "most comfortable jeans [they] have been able to find anywhere." The pull-on design means no buttons or zippers to jab into your skin, while the stretchier-than-most fabric ensures ease of movement. Finally, despite the fact that these jeans feel more like leggings, the wide waistband, straight-leg fit, and classy color options have buyers wearing them "both for work and when chasing kiddos around."
- Inseam: 29.5 inches
- Available Sizes: 0 petite — 16 petite
4A Pair Of Affordable Petite Jean In Tons Of Colors
Even though they start at just $20 per pair, the Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda jean doesn't skimp on quality — or color and sizing options. This pick has well over 3,000 reviews because buyers love its classic rise, three length options, and durable, stretch fabric. Best of all, you can grab this pair in just about any color you can think of, from sea spray green to wood rose blush. "It is so hard to find petite short that will fit someone under 5," one reviewer says. "These had 26 inseams and were a perfect fit."
- Inseam: 26 inches
- Available Sizes: 2 short — 22 short
5The Best Petite Boyfriend Jeans
Boyfriend jeans are supposed to be a bit shorter, which is why it's so hard to find a good pair if you're petite. LEE's Ruby jeans have a relaxed boyfriend style with looser ankles, which are 26 inches when unrolled and 23 inches when rolled. You can get this pair in eight different colors, and some offer distressing for an even more casual look.
- Inseam: 23 inches (rolled)
- Available Sizes:
6The Best Bootcut Jeans For Short Women
Bootcut styles should be a bit longer so you can wear them with wedges or heeled boots, and a 30-inch inseam is a reasonable length for petites. WallFlower bootcut jeans offer a comfort-stretch fit, mid-rise waist, and flared legs in a 30-inch inseam for shorter women. They also have embroidered pockets and contrast stitching that reviewers "love the look of."
- Inseam: 30 inches
- Available Sizes: 3 short — 17 short
7The Skinniest Skinny Jeans Available In Short
If you like your skinny jeans skin-tight, Levi's Super Skinny jeans are the way to go — and since they're offered in petite, you can tuck them into boots or wear them with heels. The 98-percent cotton construction means minimal stretch for a structured fit, and the mid-rise waist and five pockets are some of the many reasons why reviewers have given these 4.3 stars. "Tight yet comfortable, these are now my to-go jeans!" one buyer raves.
- Inseam: 28 inches
- Available Sizes: 24 short — 31 short
8A Pair Of Petite Skinny Ankle Jeans
When you're looking for a pair that actually hits above the ankle, the 24-inch inseam on these NYDJ Alina jeans does the trick. The narrower leg opening ensures a tight fit, so they're not quite boyfriend-style, but they can be rolled for a more relaxed look. Get them in 21 different colors, including Coppertone red and Calypso green.
- Inseam: 24 inches
- Available Sizes: 0 petite — 18 petite
9The Best Petite Jeans For A Relaxed Fit
For those looking for something with a more relaxed fit down the entire length of the leg, NYDJ Marilyn straight jeans are looser without being too long. They're available in three different colors — Burbank Wash, Dark Enzyme, and Manhattan Beach — and all feature five functional pockets. Short reviewers rave, "Very comfortable and most importantly, no need to bring to the tailor to get hemmed/shortened some more."
- Inseam: 29.5
- Available Sizes: 0 petite — 18 petite
10High-Waist Petite Jeans With Distressing
When all else fails, shopping in the junior's section can help you to find the right length for shorter legs. These junior's jeans from Vibrant have a 27.5-inch inseam, so they're shorter than most standard options. They're also available in five different colors and patterns, all of which have stylish distressing and a high-rise waist.
- Inseam: 27.5 inches
- Available Sizes: 1 — 3XL
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