I Hemmed My Jeans for Years Until I Met Mother Denim’s Petite-Friendly Line

Name: The Lil’ Kick It
Brand: Mother
Price: 288 USD

Finding the perfect fit doesn’t have to be hard

Author image: rachel bowie christine han photography 100

By Rachel Bowie

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Published Feb 20, 2026

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Rachel Bowie/MOTHER

I first heard about Mother Denim from my Brooklyn-based mom group. A query posted by a mom in desperate search of figure-flattering—yet comfortable enough for child-rearing—jeans resulted in a chorus of opinions. The consensus? Mother’s selection of cool girl silhouettes in combination with its buttery soft material was everyone’s tried-and-true.

That’s when something funny happened: The minute Mother was on my radar, I felt like it was manifesting itself everywhere I looked. Whether it was seeing celebs like Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton and Jennifer Garner reliably wear the brand or simply spotting the above-the-back-pocket label on more than a few moms at school drop-off, my interest was officially piqued.

I tried a few different styles over the years (skinny jeans forever!) and immediately found the aforementioned attributes to be accurate. The only downside? The hem lengths were always just a bit too long for my 5’2” frame. That is until Mother seemed to heed the call of short women everywhere, launching a petite collection called Lil’ Mother— specifically designed for women 5’4” and under—a few years back. And no, it’s not just about the hem: Mother’s petite offerings adjust all the proportions, featuring a knee placement that’s higher and an inseam and rise that are shorter, allowing for a perfect fit. Ever better? The range of silhouettes has been steadily expanding ever since.

Cue the perfect time to try a few options. Ahead, three of Mother Denim’s most figure-flattering (and best-selling) jeans for petites on yours truly, plus all the reasons I (and you) will undoubtedly reach for them again and again.

Rachel Bowie

1. The Lil’ Lemon Twist Sneak

Mother

Wash: Munchies

It’s true: A skinny silhouette is my go-to. But I think so much of that is wrapped up in denim mythology about what is and isn’t flattering on a short girl frame. Enter this slouchy wide-leg style: At first glance, I was confident the proportions would all be off. But the minute I slid it on, I was in love with the high-rise fit, the curved outer seam and the snugness which hits in all the right places. Did the wide leg swallow me up? Not at all. Instead, it felt figure-skimming and chic—not to mention, ultra-slimming. The hem of this particular pair was a bit longer than other Lil’ Mother styles, but it’s intentionally designed to be oversized and worn low on the hips, according to the brand. I repeat: It’s the outer seam that gives this style a tailored effect. This particular pair required a shoe with a bit of a heel (I reached for a pair of loafers with a chunky tread, for reference), but other than that, it’s a great way to try a trendier silhouette that caters to anyone on the shorter side.

Fast Facts

• Size Range: 23 to 34
• Inseam: 29 inches
• Rise: 11 1/8 inches
• Leg Opening: 26 inches
• Materials: 41 percent recycled cotton; 41 percent lyocell; 18 percent cotton

$258 at MOTHER

Rachel Bowie

2. The Lil’ Reifler

Mother

Wash: After Midnight

A straight-leg silhouette inspired by the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s, this style from Mother is made from 100 percent cotton and is meant to have a bit of a break-in period. (I noticed that after a few wears, the rigid-feeling material already started to have more give.) But it’s also a fit where it’s not just the shorter inseam that will appeal to petites: The subtle fading, the whiskering and distressed details all hit at exactly the right places. (My fellow shorties can attest that there’s nothing weirder than a wash that falls inaccurately on your frame.) Mother suggests sizing up one size, but I actually found my typical size to work out fine here. I especially liked the height of the rise, which felt just right for my shorter waistline. And the hem, while still a bit long, did not touch the ground.

Fast Facts

• Size Range: 23 to 34
• Inseam: 29 inches
• Rise: 9 5/8 inches
• Leg Opening: 18 inches
• Materials: 100 percent cotton

$315 at MOTHER

Rachel Bowie

3. The Lil’ Kick It

Mother

Wash: Which is Witch

The Lil’ Kick It—made from semi-rigid denim—features both a high rise and straight-leg cut. Consider it your most classic cut with a clean hem and gentle fading at the knees. Once again, the inseam did skew a little long without the right shoes, but IMO it’s the proportions that count. The rise and the distressed details all fell in the right places and in a material that felt so comfortable on my frame.

Fast Facts

• Size Range: 23 to 34
• Inseam: 29 inches
• Rise: 9 3/4 inches
• Leg Opening: 17 and 3/4 inches
• Materials: 59 percent cotton40 percent lyocell; 1 percent elastane

$288 at MOTHER

Rachel Bowie

Senior Director, Special Projects and Royals

Writes and produces family, fashion, wellness, relationships, money and royals content
Podcast co-host and published author with a book about the British Royal Family
Studied sociology at Wheaton College and received a masters degree in journalism from Emerson College

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