As a petite fashion editor who embraces denim, here are the finest pairs of anti-skinny jeans I've tested.
Take a quick look at some of the most fashionable petite women, and you'll undoubtedly find one essential denim style in their closets — the wide-leg jeans. More contemporary than cropped jeans and offering a touch more sophistication than traditional straight-leg styles, they are frequently seen on petite celebrities like Victoria Beckham and Nicole Richie, making them almost a uniform for the most stylish petite women. While their popularity is clear, you might be curious about why wide-leg jeans work so well for petite figures. As a 4ft11” fashion editor who is a fan of this style, I’m happy to share some insights.
What makes wide-leg jeans ideal for petite frames is their unmatched ability to create the illusion of longer legs. How does this work? The loose-fitting cut drapes around the body, extending the lower half and giving a statuesque appearance. It's crucial that your wide-leg jeans reach the floor without bunching up at the hem to enhance this effect without overshadowing your shape. When styled with a tucked-in shirt (just like Victoria Beckham) or a fitted tank top, as often sported by Nicole, wide-leg jeans flatter and extend petite silhouettes without overwhelming them.
Now, before you think wide-leg jeans are only for celebrities, let me dispel that notion. As mentioned, I'm a big supporter of wide-leg jeans, so I've searched my own wardrobe for my top five styles and tried them on, showing you how they look on a real person too. Here are the best wide-leg jeans for petites, selected, tried, and approved by me, a petite fashion editor…
**The Best Wide Leg Jeans For Petites**
1. **Best overall wide-leg jeans for petites:** M&S Autograph High Waisted Wide Leg Jeans (£55)
2. **Best leg-lengthening wide-leg jeans for petites:** PAIGE Sasha Wide Leg Jeans (£285)
3. **Best slim fit wide-leg jeans for petites:** Bell St Audran Jeans (£130)
4. **Best on-trend wide-leg jeans for petites:** Abercrombie High Rise Wide Leg Jeans (£75)
5. **Best affordable wide-leg jeans for petites:** ASOS Petite High Waist Wide Leg Jeans (£38)
1. **M&S Autograph High Waisted Wide Leg Jeans**
**Shop the Jeans:**
**M&S**
Size range: 6-24
Leg lengths: Short, regular, and long
Shade range: Black, indigo, and blue
Style notes: In my view, M&S offers the best range of petite jeans and trousers on the high street. With various fits, colors, and designs, as well as trendy options alongside classic washes, their petite collection truly caters to everyone. Specifically for wide-leg jeans, there are several different styles, including their mainline option, available in six shades and updated each season. My personal favorite is the Autograph Wide Leg Jeans. Crafted from super soft denim with just the right amount of stretch, they provide both comfort and style. At my height of 4ft11”, the short length works perfectly with kitten heels or chunky trainers for added height, or I like to roll them up slightly when worn with flats to avoid dragging.
**Pros:** Slight stretch for comfort; High-waisted cut enhances the illusion of longer legs.
2. **PAIGE Sasha Wide Leg Jeans**
**Shop the Jeans:**
**PAIGE**
Size range: W23-34
Leg lengths: 30”
Shade range: Black and various blues
Style notes: Being 4ft11”, I'm always keen on ways to appear taller, and after trying on PAIGE’s Sasha jeans, I think I’ve got it nailed. These wide-leg jeans are the best at making legs look longer. With an ultra-high rise, a soft, flared leg that drapes beautifully, and a wash that subtly shifts from light to dark at the hem, they elongate like no other jeans I’ve tried. My only hope is that PAIGE would offer a 28” leg along with the 30” since even with heels, I have to be cautious not to trip. However, for those at the taller end of the petite spectrum, these jeans are perfect.
**Pros:** Made from durable denim; **Cons:** May be too long for some heights.
3. **Abercrombie & Fitch High Rise Wide Leg Jeans**
**Shop the Jeans:**
**Abercrombie & Fitch**
Size range: W23-38
Leg lengths: Extra short, short, regular, long, extra long
Shade range: Black, blue, grey, white, and more
Style notes: If you're looking to try on a variety of petite jeans, Abercrombie is the place to go. Many top petite brands only offer smaller sizes online, but this store has a good selection of shorter lengths available in-store. Their high-rise wide-leg jeans are a
Other articles
As a petite fashion editor who embraces denim, here are the finest pairs of anti-skinny jeans I've tested.
Proven and validated by a small-sized fashion editor.
