Many moons ago I wrote a blog post about the 6 best pants for short legs. Over the years it has been one of my most popular blog posts, but today I’m updating it with some newer styles! The old blog post is still in its entirety down below, and to be honest I still have and wear almost every single pair of pants in that post (they survived all of my closet purgings and downsizing over the past 2 years! In the photo above I’m wearing the Paige Hoxton’s from that previous post.) but as styles have changed (waists are higher, legs are wider), I’ve also got some new ones to add to the mix. Here are a bunch of the pants I’m currently loving for my short, curvy frame.
One – Madewell Petite Curvy 10″ High-Rise Skinny Jeans in Danny Wash ($135.00) – Madewell’s petite curvy line is a godsend if you have a smaller waist and thicker legs. They are one of the few pairs of jeans that fit me in the waist, thighs, and inseam right off the rack. This style is available in Petite, Regular, and Tall.
Two – Madewell Cali Demi-Boot Jeans in Berkely Black ($128.00) – I tried these jeans in several fits/lengths and these ones were MAGIC. I actually found the petite length to be awkward in this style — the flare hit at a really unflattering spot on me, so I went with the regular length but in the curvy option. They hug my curves and fit my waist/hips perfectly. I’d buy them in every single wash if they offered more. These come in Petite, Regular, and Tall lengths and just really amazing if you have a curvy waist to hip ratio.
Three – J.Crew Petite Curvy Toothpick Jean ($115.00) – Again, I’m loving brands that are coming out with these petite + curvy options. It’s like they’re finally *getting* it! These are just a super cute, super comfortable skinny jean. The extra dark wash makes them easy to dress up or down. If you tend to be thick in the calves these skinny jeans seems to have extra stretch and clearance in the calf area 🙂
Four – J.Crew Petite Curvy Black Jean ($115.00) – When I realized how good the jeans (above) fit, I knew I had to invest in the black option, too. I’ve never owned a pair of black pants that I really loved, but these are perfect. I love that they fit almost like a legging, so I can pair them with sneakers for a long day of travel or sightseeing.
Five – Athleta Stella Crop Pant ($98.00) – Athleta has an impressive collection of petite pants (See the full collection here). One of my current favorites is the Stellar Crop Pant (great for biking or traveling!). They are easy to dress up (can basically pass as dress pants) but are flexible and great for a variety of activities — or a day where you aren’t really sure what to expect. These are perfect paired with Rothy’s Point or Sneaker (depending if you’re dressing them up or down).
Six – Athleta Soho Jogger ($89.00) – These are super casual and super comfortable. I love them for throwing on first thing in the morning to walk the dog or run out for coffee, they’re also great for layering. I’ve had them for 3 years and have practically worn them out!
Seven – J.Crew Curvy Vintage Straight Jeans ($128.00) – Just like Madewell, J. Crew (who owns Madewell) has a curvy line of denim. Most jeans are designed to have a 9-inch difference between the waist and hips, the curvier styles are designed to allow for a 12 inch difference. I love this style becaues they fit really well on my waist but are looser through the legs, and are the regular length is great for me with flats, but they are also cute rolled or with a thick cuff.
Eight – Madwell Curvy High-Rise Skinny Jean in Black Sea ($128.00) – I’ve had a style similar to this for a couple years and loved them, but they weren’t the curvy fit. So, when the curvy fit debuted I knew I had to get them, since Madewell’s curvy line just fits me so much better and my other pair were a couple years old. Absolutely LOVE these.
Nine – Slim Emmett Full-Length Jeans in Midland Wash ($115.00) – Okay, full disclosure: I have barely worn these yet. I just got them and I tend to wear wide-leg jeans more in the summer when I can pair them with flats or sandals, but so far I can tell these are going to be worn nonstop once the weather warms up. I love them with a cropped top or tucked-in tank.
Yo , Shorty! If you’ve got an inseam under 29″ and struggle to find pants that you love, then this post is for you. I’m barely 5’3″ and my inseam is roughly 28″. Shopping for pants is usually a chore that is typically followed by a trip to the tailor (and another $20) in order to get the perfect fit. However, I’ve had a lot of luck finding great pants in the past 12 months and I thought I’d share 6 pairs that have gained a spot in my closet and didn’t require tailoring:
Paige Denim Hoxton Ankle Petite – ($169.00) These are the most expensive pair on the list, but man are they worth the money. These skinnies have a 25″ inseem, so they are perfect for wearing all summer with flats, in the fall with with your favorite booties (these are mine) and then tucked into your over-the-knee boots in the winter. I also love that they are high-waisted. It’s not dramatic, but just high enough that they elongate your leg and are super comfortable.
Lulu Align Legging – ($98.00) Leggings are the bane of every short girl’s existence. No one wants to wear capri pants in the winter, no one wants an extra 3 inches of legging around their ankles, and no one wants to pay $20 to hem a pair of workout pants, either. Meet the Align Legging from LuLu Lemon. This cropped pant is considered “7/8” length, which would be a slight crop on the average gal, but for shorties it just means they are a perfectly tailored pair of full-length leggings hitting right above the ankle. They look super cute with your New Balance kicks, and are also thick enough to pair with a tunic and boots.
GAP Always Skinny – ($69.95) These jeans are a classic and I probably have 3 pairs of them. They are a perfect skinny jean made out of thick denim (not stretchy”jegging” material). They come in a variety of washes (I go for the dark indigo) and are available in short and petite.
GUESS Power Curvy – I’ll be honest. I saw a short girl wearing these in the airport and didn’t hesitate to ask her about them. She raved and I placed the order while waiting for the plane to take off. They were in my mailbox when I got home and have been my favorite jeans ever since. The short inseam is 28″, and the curvy style means they fit my waist but allow room for real thighs in a skinny jean. Couldn’t be more perfect!
American Eagle Jegging – Nothing fancy but man are they comfortable. I have these in a variety colors and they get worn a lot. They’re great for working from home (it’s like wearing yoga pants without wearing yoga pants), come in a short length, and the prices can’t be beat. Right now they are BOGO 50% off so browse them all.
Gap Real Straight in Short Length – If you’re looking for a pair of pants that look great turned up into one thick cuff, these are it. They fit kind of like a boyfriend jean, but with a bit more structure. I love them in this deconstructed color, but also have them in a dark indigo rinse (currently on sale for $48!). Both options are available in short or petite options (I opt for the short).
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