The 20 Best Jeans for Short Women, According to the Petite People Who Wear Them

1. Madewell The Petite Perfect Vintage Jean In Haight Wash

Best Overall

A sales associate at a PureWow editor's go-to Madewell told her that the Perfect Vintage Jean somehow flatters every body type. And that applies to those of us on the shorter side, too. This mid-rise style is infused with just the right amount of stretch (one percent elastane, bless) and comes in washes from inky dark to gently distressed (so these can look vintage without your having to dig around a thrift store). Plus, with a 25.5-inch inseam, these are will actually do what they’re supposed to and let you show a little ankle.

2. Everlane The Way-high Jean

Best Color Jeans

We may have said this once, but we'll say it again—when it comes to your jeans, the fit matters, and this Everlane straight leg style fits like a dream. They're super high rise yet incredibly comfy, so you'll look effortlessly stylish. More importantly, they have a 27.5" inseam, so they won't give you that annoying bunching at the bottom (aka shortie problem solved). But best of all, this style comes in ten different shades and washes—we're talking everything from your classic denim hues to a dusty lilac and sage green—so you can add a fun pop of color to your collection.

3. Levi’s Wedgie Straight Ankle Jeans

Best Straight-Leg Jeans

Does your favorite T-shirt need a new partner? These Levi’s are up for the job, as they come in classic lightwash denim and are cut with a 26-inch inseam. Reviewers note that on shorter frames, these fit just like a full-length jean and are well-proportioned through the waistband and leg. Featuring booty-flattering construction, once you put these on, you won’t want to take them off. Plus, the distressed detailing features on a few of the washes will look equally cool with white leather sneakers or smart pointy leather pumps.

Best Distressed Wide-Leg

There are a few high-rise wide-leg crop styles on this list and that’s because this style should not intimidate you. It's actually a great way to elongate a shorter stature and is much easier to wear than you might think. Snag the baby blue ones above or opt for these in a pitch black wash for an edgier vibe. Throw on a sweater for cooler days or pair them with a silky one-sleeve blouse for a night out. Whatever you do, make sure your waistline is visible and defined—that’s the key to making these jeans really work for you.

Best Rigid Denim

The heavyweight non-stretch denim that these babies are constructed out of are a welcome relief from too-thin jeans that show every line of whatever is up under there. There 25.25 inseam is going to fall as a perfect hem on shorties, who will appreciate that the artfully torn hem won't get erased by a hem job. Faded and with whiskering, these jeans look like you've loved them for years.

Best Flared Leg

There's a reason these bad boys are one of Free People's best-selling jeans. Playful yet timeless, they have that Woodstock-era hippie vibe that instantly adds a fun touch to any outfit you have planned. And if you're on the extra petite side and are worried that the mega-flare bootcut will overpower your legs, these have a raw hem so you can cut them down to a length that works best for you without ruining their look.

Best Skinny Jeans

One petite PureWow editor has committed to buying and re-buying these J.Crew toothpick jeans...for five years and counting. One magical property of this pair is the fabrication, which has four percent polyester and 1.5 percent elastane along with its cotton (which by the way is sustainably sourced to support both workers' community and the environment). “I just feel like they have just the right amount of stretch, but also come in a wash that's super slimming,” she explains. Offered in sizes 23 to 32 and with a 25” inseam in petites, these toothpick jeans will work their magic for almost all body types.

Best High-Rise Jeans

Looser styles can totally dominate your small frame, but petite girls still deserve jeans that have a little breathing room. These super stretchy jeans from Banana Republic come in a petite cut and aren’t skin-tight, but have an ultra high-rise waist that will cling to your curves, so they’re a total win-win. The fabric includes recycled and organic cotton as well as touches of poly and lycra to make movement as easy as the fit.

Best Dad Jeans

Personally, we'd pair these with some heeled black booties and a turtleneck collared tank, but they go perfectly with a lacy camisole and some mules, too. Plus, they're made with rigid, non-stretch fabric so you won't have to worry about the dad-style silhouette becoming so loose it actually looks like you're wearing your dad's jeans. This design comes in four inseams, extra-short to long lengths; our 5'3" height fit perfectly in the short inseam.

Best Wide-Leg Jeans

Anthropologie really gets the plight of the vertically-challenged. See, for example, the in-house denim brand, Pilcro, that is entirely offered in petite sizing options. Want a wide-leg pair that won't drag on the floor? Here they are. What about a crisp white wash? Yup, you can get those, too. We’re partial to this boyfriend shape that’s relaxed and lightly distressed. Wear yours with a patterned blouse and a pair of woven slides and suddenly you’ve constructed an easy summer uniform without having to think too hard.

Best Black Denim

These utility jeans are a great way to tap into this year's obsession with the 90s. The ultra high rise waist elongates your torso and the hem hits right at the ankles, making it seem like you've got legs for days. (No matter how short you are.) Thanks to this pair's built-in stretch feature, you won't feel like you're you're trapped in a corset and the relaxed leg fit is loose enough to give you some wiggle room without drowning your frame. And besides, no wardrobe is complete without a killer pair of black jeans.

Best Splurge-Worthy Option

This is one of those pairs of jeans that instantly makes you feel cooler. Featuring a 13-inch rise and wide-leg cut, these can seamlessly transition from day to night, and the design and fabric's quality make them a pair that will last for many seasons to come. BTW, we know they come with a hefty price tag, but the crossover waist on these Italian designer jeans is making waves across the fashion world—so you don't have to worry about them looking outdated in six month's time.

Best Budget-Friendly Option

The petite section from ASOS is legendary. It offers practically every style of trendy jean with shorter inseams—and most of them cost less than $50. This pair of mom jeans is particularly worth the praise, because they're just so damn flattering. Wear these now with your favorite sandals and when the temps cool down, pair them with your go-to booties.

Best Stretch Denim

Stretchy yet supportive, we've deemed these the ideal everyday jean. They have a high-rise waist and a classic skinny fit that is comfy enough to run errands in, yet stylish enough to wear at the office. And, Revtown's jeans have specially crafted waistbands that hug your curves and sculpt your booty for a lifted appearance.

Most Vibrant

First off, can we just saying how freaking adorable this print is? Not only do these babies look like they walked right out of our Pinterest board and into our closet, they also fit like a dream. The cropped leg is great for shorties and the tighter fit hugs you in all the right places. What's not to love?

Best Maternity Jeans

Ideal for those days when you want to slip into something other than sweats, these maternity jeans are totally baby bump friendly. They're equipped with a full panel comfort waistband (that is easily concealed underneath flowy blouses and tunics, FYI) and are made with stretchy denim that won't leave you feeling squished.

Best Curvy Jean

These are the kind of jeans that hug you in all the right places and, dare we say, are some of the coziest skinnies out there. The denim has extra stretch in it, so these take on more of a jeggings feel, and the waist is built with a gap-proof band so they'll stay in place all day long.

Best White Jeans

We don't buy into the whole not-wearing-white-after-Labor-Day thing. (Who came up with that anyway?) Instead, we keep a crisp, white pair of denim on hand for all the winter white, monochromatic looks we come up with—and these totally fit the bill. We love the raw hem and the 25-inch inseam on these puppies, which makes them the ideal length for hitting right at our ankles.

Best Distressed Jeans

Despite what your grandparents may think, there's no denying the power a distressed pair of jeans has to up the grunge factor on any fit. Just imagine these with some combat boots and an oversized leather jacket. And the best part? These will only look better after each wear giving them that effortlessly cool, lived-in look.

Best Rolled Jeans

Usually cuffed pants are a no-no for short women, since rolled hems tend to make legs look shorter. That's not the case with these super-soft pants that have a 24.5-inch inseam with a small turned up hem; best of all, you can turn them up a roll or two to make the style cropped. In taupe, pine green, navy and black, these are your new wardrobe workhorses.