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It's hard for petite women to find pants that aren't anywhere from two to six inches too long. We've tested several pairs of petite pants and read buyer reviews to find the best ones.
LOFT is known for its incredible selection of petite pants and jeans in all kinds of styles, fabrics, and colors. That's why LOFT makes our favorite petite pants.
There are plenty of irritating things about being only 5’0” — not being able to reach any shelves, ever, for one thing — but buying pants has to be one of the worst. I’m short enough that even some “Short” inseams require hemming, so I am well acquainted with how quickly a simple shopping trip for jeans can become a harrowing experience.
But the good news is that more and more brands are offering a better selection of petite bottoms. Stores like LOFT, Nordstrom, Banana Republic, J. Crew, and even Everlane are expanding their options to include shorter inseams. You can finally stop buying the cropped versions of “regular” pants in hopes that they will qualify as full-length.
When shopping for petite bottoms, keep your inseam in mind as well as your overall proportions. I have fairly muscular legs and sometimes find pants that will fit there but are ultra baggy around the waist. To solve that problem, I either opt for purposefully relaxed styles or go for a tighter fit with stretch.
Here are our picks for the best petite pants for women:
- Best overall: LOFT Petite pants and Petite jeans
- Best work pants: Vince Camuto Ponte Ankle Pants, $79
- Best leggings: Banana Republic Petite Devon Legging-Fit Bi-Stretch Pant, $88
- Best skinny fit: Everlane The Work Pant (Ankle), $50
- Best plus size: Eloquii Olivia Sculpting Skinny Jean, $89.90
- Best flare work pants: Aella High-Waist Flare (Short), $245
- Best adjustable hem pants: MM. LaFleur Foster Pants, $195
Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks.
SEE ALSO: The best stylish sneakers for women
The best petite pants overall
Why you'll love them: LOFT is your one-stop shop for petite pants for work and play — they fit great and, thanks to frequent sales, are pretty affordable, too.
Though my style doesn’t scream “business casual,” I own a lot of pieces from LOFT. The brand makes amazing basics, including jackets, sweaters, and — yes — pants. Almost all my pants come from LOFT, which has an incredible selection of petite bottoms that actually fit.
I’ve gotten jeans, trousers, and fun styles with cute details from LOFT. You can find casual pants, jeans, and classic work dress pants in petite sizes. Some styles come in classic black, gray, and neutral colors while others come in bright, on-trend shades like golden yellow, pink, or blue. No matter what look you're going for, LOFT probably has a pair of pants for your needs.
The Modern Petite Trousers are pictured above because they are a classic pair of work pants that will look great on just about everyone. The size range is a bit limited, but there are plenty of other styles to check out if your size is missing.
LOFT petite pants come recommended by BuzzFeed and Racked. The main downside, however, is that certain styles only come in a few sizes, so it can be hard to find your fit. If LOFT has your size in stock, though, you're all but guaranteed to have the right length of pants at long last.
Pros: Classic pants, casual and work-friendly designs, great length for petites
Cons: Limited size range in some styles
Shop petite pants or shop petite jeans at LOFT
The best petite pants for work
Why you'll love them: The Vince Camuto Ponte Ankle Pants are a nice, fitted option that won’t pool at your ankles if you’re under 5’5”.
If you work in a typical office environment, you need some simple black pants that look professional and can be worn with sweaters, blouses, and blazers. The Vince Camuto Ponte Ankle Pants are a great choice.
Available in both Regular and Petite inseams, the pants are a slim (but not skinny) fit rendered in ponte knit fabric with a little bit of stretch. The length is perfect for flats or a low-heel, and the high rise gives you the option of tucking in longer tops for a more defined waist.
As far as work pants go, these are a runaway hit — They have 333 reviews on the Nordstrom website and a 4.2 rating.
“I first bought these pants during an anniversary sale a couple years ago, then bought two more pairs full price because they're that good,” writes one fan, “I wore them in all my clinical rotations when I was in school, and now as a professional they're still a staple.”
“These pants are probably the most comfortable professional slacks I have ever worn,” says another.
Pros: Ponte knit stretches for a snug yet comfortable fit, cut is perfect for work
Cons: Somewhat limited size options
Buy the Vince Camuto Ponte Ankle Pants at Nordstrom for $79
The best petite leggings
Why you'll love them: Whether you believe leggings are pants or just workout gear, the Banana Republic Petite Devon Legging-Fit Bi-Stretch Pants are the comfy bottoms that are missing from your wardrobe.
Sometimes, you want to feel like you’re wearing leggings without looking like you’re wearing leggings. Described as “a sleek legging with the polish and structure of your favorite pants,” the Banana Republic Petite Devon Legging-Fit Bi-Stretch Pants give you that option.
The pants come in three leg lengths: 26-inch petite, 28-inch regular, and 31-inch long. Petite sizes go from 00 up to 14, though some of the largest sizes are currently sold out on the Banana Republic website. All sizes are made from “bi-stretch” fabric that gives you “excellent stretch and recovery to smooth and sculpt your shape.” There’s also an invisible zipper to give you a seamless look.
Though the Petite Devon Legging-Fit Bi-Stretch Pants are considered “legging-fit,” reviewers noted that they fit more like a work pant, so you can likely get a lot of use out of them. “They are so soft, great quality, and aren’t stiff which I what I look for in a work pant,” says one 5-star review.
BuzzFeed listed Banana Republic among its favorite places to find petite clothing online. “I’m 5’0”, and I buy all my work clothes at a Banana Republic outlet store,” one reader told the publication, “Their petite items fit perfectly, no hemming necessary!”
Pros: Comfy “legging-fit” with the look of a work trouser, stretch
Cons: Some reviewers noted quality issues with the zipper
Buy the Petite Devon Legging-Fit Bi-Stretch Pant at Banana Republic for $88
Shop all petite pants at Banana Republic
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