Including elegant pull-on pants, retro-inspired jeans, and more
Best PEOPLE-Loved Petite Pants for Spring
- Under-$50 Favorite: Gap Wide-Leg Jeans, $40–$48; Amazon
- Travel Uniform: Spanx AirEssentials Colorblock Track Pants, $110; Spanx
- Retro-Inspired: Madewell Flared Wide-Leg Crop Jeans, $70 (orig. $148); Madewell
- Won’t Pool at Your Feet: Sloane Linen-Blend Wide-Leg Pants, $72 (orig. $90); Abercrombie & Fitch
- Adjustable $27 Pick: Fisoew Baggy Track Pants, $27 (orig. $30); Amazon
- Easy Elegance: Abercrombie & Fitch Satin Pull-On Pants, $64 (orig. $80); Abercrombie & Fitch
- 4’11”-Approved: Cozy Earth Brushed Bamboo Joggers, $75 (orig. $88); Cozy Earth
- Leggings-Level Stretch: The Petite Curvy Emmett Wide-Leg Jeans, $60 (orig. $148); Madewell
- Splurge-Worthy Loungewear: Willow Airweight Wide-Leg Pants, $188; Splits59 Los Angeles
At 5-foot-2, trying on pants is always a gamble: They either hit right at the top of my foot or pool in a puddle of fabric around my feet. I have a few tried-and-true petite pants that I wear on repeat, but to help diversify my options, I asked my 5-foot-4 or under teammates where they found their favorite bottoms for spring-to-summer — and they more than delivered.
Check out our picks ranging from flare jeans to pilates instructor-approved lounge pants. The styles are all petite shopper-loved and from popular brands like Spanx, Gap, Madewell, and more.
Related: I'm a 5'2" Fashion Writer, and These Are the 10 Petite Outfits Your Spring Wardrobe Needs — Starting at $20
Gap Wide-Leg Jeans
$40 at Amazon
““I wear these so much I have to remind myself that I own other pairs of jeans. As someone who struggles to get most pants past my thighs, I appreciate the extra room the wide-leg provides (i.e., no skinny jean shimmy to put these on), and the short length hits right at the bottom of my ankle, so I don’t have to cuff them.” — Rylee Johnston, shopping writer, 5’2”“
Spanx AirEssentials Colorblock Track Pants
$110 at Spanx
““The fact that I can get comfortable sweatpants in petite sizing is amazing, especially because I love the Spanx AirEssentials fabric so much. During the holidays, I bought myself (and all the women in my life) a pair of Spanx pants since they were on sale. The colorblock track pants are my favorite because they have zippered pockets, so they're quickly replacing my other pairs from the collection. Plus, I don't have to worry about tripping over them while walking my dog since the hems hit perfectly at the top of my foot.” — Alex Nelson, associate editorial director, 5’2”“
Madewell Flared Wide-Leg Crop Jeans
$148 $70 at Madewell.com
““At barely 5-feet, I’m always on the hunt for cropped jeans that don’t overwhelm my frame — and this pair hits at just the right spot. The high-rise is super flattering, and the wide-leg silhouette gives it that easy, laid-back feel without looking sloppy. The jeans fit comfortably through the hips without feeling too tight, which is key for all-day wear. And they go with just about any shoe in my rotation, including boots, sneakers, and slides.” — Toni Sutton, shopping writer, 4’11”“
Abercrombie & Fitch Sloane Linen-Blend Wide-Leg Pants
$90 $72 at Abercrombie.com
““My exact linen pants are no longer available, but I have other versions of the Sloane pants, and they are my go-to. Abercrombie's short length feels like it's made for me since I don't have to get them hemmed. I still like to wear long pants in the spring and summer, and I don't find myself in a pool of sweat when I'm commuting in these pants. That is a huge win.” — Jennifer Maldonado, associate editorial director, 5’0”“
Fisoew Baggy Track Pants
$30 $27 at Amazon
““Since I teach Pilates on the side and lead a pretty active lifestyle, I’m always looking for great athleisure pants that aren’t leggings. I bought these about a month ago, and I think I’ve already worn them 15 times. I love the comfortable, elastic waistband that doesn’t dig in, and the drawstrings at the bottoms of the pants are so cool, giving a retro look to the style without being too loud. They’re the perfect inseam length for those with shorter legs.” — Madeline Merinuk, shopping writer, 5’4”“
Abercrombie & Fitch Satin Pull-On Pants
$80 $64 at Abercrombie.com
““I recently went wedding dress shopping, and I knew I wanted to wear something that was equal parts comfy and bridal-ready. I snagged these satin pants in cream, and although they’re only available in blue, they’re well worth the investment. The airy fabric drapes beautifully for an effortlessly elegant look. The waist is stretchy and has a drawstring for a custom fit. And the hem is available in a short silhouette — perfect for my 5-foot-2 height.” — Nicol Natale, shopping writer, 5’2”“
Cozy Earth Brushed Bamboo Joggers
$88 $75 at Cozy Earth
““These are my favorite joggers in my closet. No extra fabric pooling at the ankles; just a clean, tapered fit with no hemming needed. The bamboo fabric is incredibly soft, lightweight, and breathable, so they work for more than just lounging. They feel put-together enough to wear out, and I’ve worn them everywhere from the farmer’s market to casual brunches, and for errands and even weekend road trips. They’re a bit of an investment, but worth it for the quality, comfort, and how often I reach for them.” — Toni Sutton“
Madewell The Petite Curvy Emmett Wide-Leg Jeans
$148 $60 at Madewell.com
““I think about the stretch of these pants at least once a day. Putting them on is so seamless, you’d think they were sweatpants disguised as jeans. Unlike classic denim, this style has a more refined design with front patch pockets and a wide hem that gives off a more tailored look, which is perfect for business casual days in the office or happy hour with friends. ” — Rylee Johnston“
Splits56 Willow Airweight Wide-Leg Pants
$188 at Splits59.com
““If there are any pants worth splurging on, it’s these. I own a similar style and love how the design makes them incredibly simple to dress up for the office (psst: I’ve done this by pairing them with a blazer and button-down top), or you can keep the vibe casual with a sweatshirt and sneakers. The stretchy material is ideal for sitting at a desk for eight hours or a long plane ride, and they give off a more polished appearance than sweatpants, allowing me to leave the house without feeling frumpy.” — Rylee Johnston“
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