As A 5’4″ Fashion Writer, Jean Shopping Woes Are Real—Here Are The Best Petite Jeans I’ve Found

Abercrombie's denim are among the best on the high street, and its petite styles are a real standout. You'll find that most pairs of Abercrombie jeans come in a range of leg-length sizes, including short, regular and long - an absolute godsend for us petite individuals. The denim of Abercrombie jeans also sits in that sweet spot between rigid enough to hold its shape but relaxed enough to not dig in in all the wrong places (like the waistband).

Gemma says: 'When I look for a good pair of jeans, the things that really matter to me include a leg length that doesn't drag on the ground (which is a regular occurrence if you're under 5'3") and a zipper waistband because I find the buttons are such a faff. At this point I've told pretty much everyone I know to invest in a pair of Abercrombie jeans because of the fit, length, colour options, the list could go on.'

Horseshoe jeans have caused quite a stir in the fashion world, with its marmite voluminous tapered leg that goes out at the thigh and then tapers back in. M&S' iteration of the trending shape boasts a flattering mid-rise waist, as well as five pockets, zip fastening and a touch of stretch. Plus, like most of M&S denim, the jeans are available in three different lengths, including petite.

Gemma says: 'I love M&S jeans so am not surprised that its horseshoe jeans are making the list. Take your usual size in these jeans as they come up quite well-fitting.'

Paige's petite jeans are a great option if you're after a higher-end pair of jeans and don't want to compromise on excellent quality. The 'Sasha' style features a high-rise wide leg and offers a more relaxed denim compared to other, stiffer, counterparts. Paige's denim comes in a vintage-inspired wash with natural fading that makes the denim look like it's been lovingly worn-in.

Gemma says: 'Paige's wide leg jeans are perfect for me as I find it difficult to get a pair of jeans that straddles the line between wide leg and drowning me with a wide leg that's far too big for my frame. Plus the different denim washes the brand offers are, in my opinion, the most timeless and easy to style shades of blue.'

When you think of a pair of iconic jeans, what do you think of? Of course, the only correct answer is the Levi's 501. A jean that has evolved from a workwear staple to fashion icon, the 501 jeans are identifiable due to its button fly and signature straight leg.

Gemma says: 'Although the inseam of these Levi's 501's says 30", it's a real petite-girl hack to buy a pair of jeans that are supposedly 'cropped' which, voila, makes them the perfect length for anyone under 5'4". I've found this pair on Amazon that are really affordable and come in so many different colours, whether you're wanting a light wash blue, indigo or black.'

Citizens of Humanity jeans have been worn by the likes of EmRata, Barbara Palvin and Rihanna - who actually wore this exact pair of Ayla jeans when in New York in 2023. The best-selling Ayla style is now available in a petite length, which means that now we too can invest in the exact pair of jeans worn by Rihanna. As cream jeans go, these are one of the best, they're most definitely not see-through and are in the most perfect eggshell cream white that's easy to style.

Black, blue and cream denim are all extremely versatile, and perhaps even more importantly - timeless. However, if you're on a mission to make your denim feel, well, more fun, leopard print jeans are the way to go. Think a mixture of eclectic Scandi style and the mob-wife trend, leopard print jeans are a trend that's here to stay. This pair from Nobody's Child are, without a doubt, the best for petites, even though they're not technically marketed as that.

Gemma says: 'I almost can never shop from the regular jean section, rather than buying a pair of jeans that have been specifically marketed as 'petite', so these Nobody's Child jeans were a very welcome surprise. On the website it says they come up slightly large but I'd say they come up true to size instead, and (thankfully) don't drown my legs. They're also super comfortable and don't have that stiff, crunchy denim feel some high street pairs have.'

Turn-up jeans are the latest denim trend, following the success of jeans like barrel and carrot. Representing a more calculated way to wear denim, as opposed to jeans that are so baggy they pool around your ankles, turn-up jeans are an on-trend way to save yourself from soggy hems, and, still look great. This pair from AGOLDE are the best petite turn-up jeans I've found, and feature a high-rise waist and wide-leg fit.

Another fan favourite from M&S - the wide-leg jean. These jeans come in six different washes (including ecru) and are stocked in extra short, short, regular and long. They're stylish, but don't compromise comfort, thanks to their stretch denim material. The medium indigo wash lends itself to a more casual way of styling, so team with a pair of ballet flats, a white t-shirt and trench coat.

Gemma says: 'For the £35 price tag, the M&S Wide-Leg jeans feel surprisingly great quality. They're not the thickest of denim, but that's what gives it a great stretch. The important thing for me was that the jeans aren't clingy, but stretchy, and M&S have nailed the brief when it comes to this. Keep to your normal size too, the soft denim means you won't need to size up at all.'

Topshop's denim is notorious, from its Joni jeans to its Jamie style. One of the first brands on the high street to offer designs in a petite length, Topshop have perfected its craft to create the most affordable petite jeans. This pair even feature a belt at the back that can be used to cinch the waist in to your exact size. Available in multiple denim washes including; mid blue, raw indigo and bleach, style the wide-leg with a baggy graphic t-shirt and Adidas trainers.