- Inseam: 27â
- Length: Regular
- Style: Slim, Straight Leg
- Rise: 9.75â, wears mid-rise
- Size: 23-34
Why Itâs Worth It: For a tried and true pair of straight leg jeans, this style from J.Crew is a wardrobe essential. Available in several washes, from dark indigo to light blue, white and black, it’s a seasonless staple in the closet. You can take extra comfort knowing the cotton used in these jeans have sustainable roots (certified by Regenagri).
- Inseam: 27â
- Length: Petite, Regular, Tall
- Style: Straight-leg
- Rise: 10 3/4â, wears high-rise
- Size: 23-32
The difference between regular and petite jeans
âPetite jeans are shrunken down versions of regular size jeans,â Madewellâs SVP of Denim Design, Mary Pierson tells Vogue. âThis means the jean is taken in at every major measurement pointâ slightly on the circumferences but a little more in the lengths. We donât just make the inseams shorter; we make the rises slightly shorter and change the placement of the knee to accommodate for a smaller petite frame.â This approach ensures a balance of proportions; itâs also why a âquick snipâ of the hem rarely works out.Â
When it comes to specifics to look out for, Pierson says that rise and knee placement are crucial to keep in mind. âEven if it is a high-rise jean, it still needs to hit at your natural waistline at/or slightly above your belly button. The knee placement needs to align so that the leg shape of the jean stays true to its intent,â she says. (I can concurânothing throws the overall proportion off quite like when the knee caps hit the shins or when the riseâs all the way up at the ribcage.)
As for which styles suit best for short women, any silhouette can be flattering as long as the proportions are aligned. âWide leg and flare jeans are so hot right now, but this style can be overwhelming for a petite frame if itâs not done right,â Pierson says. Cohen adds that anything leg-lengthening will be a win: Think high-waisted styles, plus inseams that either skim the floor or hit right at the ankle bone.Â