I'm a Petite Fashion Editor—I Trust These 4 Brands When I Want Pants That Fit
I fall into a specific club of women who happen to be on the shorter side. I actually stopped getting taller in the 8th grade, so once I was 5’2,” it was time to take me out of the oven. I was done! To my dismay of course. I have always wanted to be long and tall and beautiful, like models on a runway, floating around instead of walking.
But the universe had plans to keep me a little closer to the ground, and while I may be only just over 5 feet tall, I like to think I project 6-feet-tall energy. Now that I have swallowed the tough pill that I’ll never be a super-tall supermodel, I have embraced being in the short club and my petite structure. The absolute bane of the existence of short people is getting a pair of pants that don’t make us look like little kids borrowing our parents’ clothes.
The hardest thing to shop for is always pants, and while I don’t mind taking something to the tailor here and there, I almost always end up not having enough free time to do so and a pair of perfectly great pants sits in the back of my closet and collects dust. Thankfully, there are five retailers that understand the short girl struggle and have petite options so you can buy pants that actually fit. Keep scrolling through to see the brands that are my holy grails when it comes to petite shopping.
Reformation
There are so many reasons to love Ref; the fact that it offers petite options is just one. The brand has so many great options for the holiday season too, especially the green velvet pants. I’m obsessed.
Madewell
Madewell is actually one of my favorite places to buy jeans. The fact that it offers inseams that I can get without needing to run to a tailor is amazing and has made me a customer for life.
<img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/whowhatwear/posts/303630/petite-shopping-303630-1668037338475-main.webp" alt="Madewell + Petite 9" mid-rise="" skinny="" jeans="" in="" paloma="" wash:="" raw-hem="" edition=""/>
Topshop
Who doesn’t love a good Topshop moment? The brand is known for having great trend-focused pieces that look more expensive than they are. Not to mention it offers petite options for pants. Sign me up.
Everlane
Known for being sustainable and having stellar basics, Everlane has come through for its petite customers. I love that there is an inseam option to save me a trip to the tailor. Thanks, Everlane, for looking out for us shorties.
Next, check out these shopping guides.
Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Grace has always been a lover of all things fashion and beauty. Upon receiving her first degree in visual communications from FIDM in Los Angeles, she moved to New York City and continued her education at LIM College, majoring in fashion media with a minor in society and culture. Grace has worked for PhotoBook magazine, Insider, and Harper's Bazaar. As a writer, Grace has had pieces published covering topics including racial justice, fashion, politics, and current events. During her free time, she loves wine tasting, creating content for her social media, spending time with friends, traveling to new places, and Pilates, and has a love for reality television, especially The Real Housewives. Grace is the person in your friend group everyone goes to for recommendations for the best place to grab drinks in NYC on a Friday night or the best hotels and restaurants to try when traveling to a new city. While fashion is her main love, she loves all things wellness and lifestyle as well. Her ideal sunday is brunching with friends then walking around furniture shopping and listening to a podcast. As the assistant shopping editor at Who What Wear, Grace loves finding the best buys out there for the WWW readers.
-
Knits, Jeans, and Boots—31 Ref Items Ideal for Holiday Packing
Travel outfits made easy.
By Caitlin Burnett
-
Hollywood Stylist Rob Zangardi Told Me His Highly Covetable Gift Picks
I'll take one of each, please.
By Jennifer Camp Forbes
-
My Friends Always Ask for Shopping Recs—30 Items From Zara, Madewell, and Free People I Suggested
Suede, knits, and sequins ahead.
By Caitlin Burnett
-
The 40 New Arrivals From Saks, Net-a-Porter, and Nordstrom That Will Sell Out First
You have my word.
By Anna LaPlaca
-
5 2025 Trends I'm Already Shopping on Cyber Monday From COS, Madewell, and Abercrombie
I'm stocking up while deals are hot.
By Ana Escalante
-
I Want a Luxe Wardrobe, So I'm Eyeing These On-Sale Cashmere, Satin, and Velvet Pieces for Black Friday
Gift these to yourself or someone special.
By Nikki Chwatt
-
Everything You Need to Look Elegant in 2025 Just Arrived at Nordstrom—Enjoy
New year, new clothes.
By Copelyn Bengel
-
The $75 Nordstrom Skirt I'm Buying This Black Friday to Replicate Sofia Richie's Thanksgiving Look
The skirt I never knew I needed.
By Nikki Chwatt