I'm 5'2" and Hate Trying On Jeans, But These 7 Pairs Changed Everything

Being vertically challenged (I'm 5'2") means buying jeans can be quite a task.

I find trying on denim an undertaking and a bit of a hassle, so you need to be in the right frame of mind in the first place. Add to that having to find a tailor (a petite styling tip so many women swear by) to get them altered when you eventually find a pair and you can see why this is the sort of life admin I avoid.

This is exactly why I wanted to find the best jeans for us shorter people—to save you browsing, trying on and paying for tailoring. You could say I've done the legwork for you (wink, wink).

Right at the beginning of 2025, I knew I needed to refresh my jeans collection after I had a good clear-out during the festive period. My requirements often include stiffer denim and a straight-leg cut, but I also like to dabble with baggy jeans that are proportionate to my height. With this in mind, I set about finding the perfect petite pairs. The result? Some great contenders across designer and high-street brands that fit my petite (but with hips and a shorter torso) frame perfectly.

It's safe to say that my tailor won't be seeing me anytime soon. Scroll on to discover and shop the best petite jeans I found, from H&M to Agolde.

The Best Jeans for Petite Woman, According to a Writer Who Tried-On Hundred:

1. Best Jeans for Petite Women: COS Arch Jeans, £85
2. Best Luxury Jeans for Petite Women: Agolde '90s Pinch Waist Jeans, £270
3. Best High-Street Jeans for Petite Women: H&M Slim Mom Ankle Jeans, £27.99
4. Best French Girl Jeans for Petite Women: Sezane Brut Sexy Jeans, £95
5. Best Cropped Jeans for Petite Women: Arket Jade Cropped Slim Stretch Jeans, £77
6. Best Classic Jeans for Petite Women: Levi's 501 Crop Jeans, £100

1. COS Arch Jeans

Washes: Four, including blue, black and off-white.

Size Range: EU 24–32 (UK 2–16)

Length: One classic style.

Style Notes: I'm a huge fan of COS. If you follow me on Instagram or TikTok, you'll see that a lot of my capsule-wardrobe pieces are from COS, but funnily enough, I didn't own any of its denim. The Arch jeans have an interesting shape, and I wanted to see how they would work on someone shorter. The style has a tapered leg, giving a slight—very slight—horseshoe shape. It's a subtle shape—not too exaggerated.

I loved how rigid the denim is; it made my bum look sensational! They have a high-rise waist and a zip fly, and whilst the fit was great, they're a bit on the longer side, but would look amazing with a heeled boot. As you can see, they look great with a flat shoe too, so I'd highly recommend checking these out.

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2. Agolde 90's Pinch Waist Straight-Leg Jeans

Washes: 6, including, blue, black, grey and white.

Size Range: EU 22–32 (UK 0–16)

Length: Three leg lengths (crop, regular and long)

Style Notes: Agolde jeans are always a good idea. The brand is well known for its denim, and I've owned a pair previously that I had to get tailored. But my tailor needn't help me out with this pair. I love, love, love these jeans. They're my go-to on most days and the perfect length for us petite people. They have a great straight-leg fit with a good denim gusset and a mid-rise waist, which is so comfortable with the button fly. If your budget can stretch, I'd point you in this direction.

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3. H&M Slim Mom Ankle Jeans

Washes: Eleven, including blue and black.

Size Range: UK 4–22

Length: One.

Style Notes: H&M isn't one of my go-to places for denim, but the high-street favourite stocks a huge variety. Much of it isn't petite-friendly, but I managed to find the Slim Mom Ankle Jeans. The cut is very high-waisted and straight—not my personal favourite as I have hips, and a too-slim cut can be unflattering on me, but I must say that they were very comfortable and a great pair of jeans overall. Plus, they're super affordable for the quality, making them one of the best H&M basics.

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4. Sézane Brut Sexy Jeans

Washes: Five, including blue, black, white, grey and pink

Size Range: UK 4–20

Length: Two (regular and tall)

Style Notes: Sézane is one of my go-tos for cosy cardigans and fun knits, but I had never tried its denim until I discovered the Brut Sexy. And sexy they are. These are high-waisted, and I mean high-waisted! I wasn't expecting the length to be so good on me, but it was perfect. This is a bit of a skinner straight-leg than I normally go for, but it would look great with boots or even a heel. I really like these jeans, and they're so comfortable too. I'd recommend you take your true size, though they do stretch over time, FYI. It's also worth mentioning that they have a button fly, as I know some people much prefer a zip.

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5. Arket Jade Cropped Slim Stretch Jeans

Washes: Five, including blue and black

Size Range: EU 25–33 (UK 6–14)

Style Notes: I love these jeans from Arket. They're a great cropped length—not in a pedal-pusher way, but a "look at my cute loafers" way. They're made from good cotton denim with minimal stretch, which I know doesn't sound comfy, but I promise it is. Stiff, high-quality denim holds its shape and will refresh when you wash it, so it'll work hard in your wardrobe. All in all, this is a good, solid pair of straight-leg jeans.

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6. Levi's 501 Crop Jeans

Washes: 16, including blue, black, white, ecru and grey

Size Range: EU 23–32 (UK 6–14)

Length: Three (26, 28 and 30)

Style Notes: I'm a huge Levi's stan, and there's nothing better than a pair of 501s. What I love about Levi's in general is that the brand caters to a wide range of heights, and it hasn't forgotten about us petite people. The 501 Crop is already a much better length if you're on the shorter side, and I'd go for a 28" or 30" leg myself. They also have a button fly, which I love—no one wants a zip coming open. Levi's is the one brand I'd highly recommend over all others to anyone struggling to find jeans that fit because it really will never let you down. Plus, the brand offers an in-store tailoring service just in case, or if your old jeans need some TLC.

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7. Vintage Jeans

Style Notes: I'm a big fan of vintage denim—especially a vintage pair of 501s. It can feel like a never-ending search to find a good secondhand pair, but thankfully, I have my fairy godmother in Chloe over at Pin Denim, a brilliant vintage-denim sourcing service. If you're up for doing the hard work yourself, make it easier by taking your exact measurements and scouring eBay and other resale platforms like Vinted and charity shops—never ask how to shop second-hand again!

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Shop More of the Best Jeans for Petites: 

Which Type of Jeans is Best For a 5 Feet Girl?

While any type of jeans can always be altered to your taste and fit, the jeans best suited for petite women who are 5 feet tall are classic straight-leg style. The long singular line helps to broaden your form and can also be easily tucked in or folder up should you be swimming in access fabric.

Should Petite Women Wear Wide-Leg Jeans?

Of course! Petite women shouldn't be afraid to wear to wear a specific style of jeans and wide-leg shapes are actually super complementary for shorter frames. What I would recommend, however, is to balance out the enlarging shape of the jeans by opting for either a body-conscious or boxy top, depending on your preference.

Where Can Petite Women Buy Jeans?

Petite women can purchase jeans right off the rack at most high-street institutions like COS, Reformation, H&M and Sézanne. This is because these brands offer dedicated petite ranges, saving you a trip to the tailor to get your new denim staple hemmed.