Jeans are a particularly tricky wardrobe item for short women. As someone who is 5'2" myself, I know the struggle of trying to find a pair that looks proportional on my body and also doesn't drag all over the ground when I'm walking. The good news is that there are many jeans styles for short women out there; you just have to know what you're looking for. Parade consulted celebrity stylist Melanie Bauer to get all her trade tips and tricks for rocking denim as a petite woman.Bauer is a costume designer and wardrobe stylist who's worked with celebrity clients like Josh Duhamel, Michelle Pfeiffer, Josh Brolin and more. With her years of experience dressing women of all heights, Bauer knows how to help shorter women look their best in jeans. And while it can be tempting to lean into all the new denim trends, she shares that it's most important to find what looks good on you, which is not necessarily always what the super tall models on the runway are showing off. "At the end of the day, you have to feel great in what you are wearing. Avoid trends if [they don't] work for you," she says.That said, there are some trendy jeans she's been loving for petite women, and some classic staples as well. Here are all her best denim tips for us shorter gals, including the nine best jeans for short women and the best petite brands to shop.Related: 5 Essential Tips for Wearing Jeans if You’re Over 50, According to Model and Style Mogul Molly Sims
Which Type of Denim Style Is Best for Short Women?
Right now, Bauer is loving "a high rise and an ankle crop in either a straight leg or slightly wide leg" for short women. Those styles check the waist-defining, leg-lengthening boxes she mentioned above.Related: These Are the Best Shoes To Wear With Wide-Leg Pants, According to a Celebrity Stylist
When shopping in person, Bauer recommends that you "take full advantage of your store staff." "They are genuinely knowledgeable about the product and can be a key asset," she adds. Don't be afraid to ask for their help when finding the right jeans.For online shopping, she says, "Make sure you are shopping from a site that has a great return policy," and adds, "I tend to order a typical [size] and the size above and below, as every brand varies. Also, check for inseam measurements. I would aim for 24 to 27 inches."Related: 12 Ways To Make Any Outfit Look More Expensive, According to a Celebrity Stylist
9 Best Jeans for Short Women, According to a Celebrity Stylist
1. Ankle crop
Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
"While it may seem counterintuitive, they actually create a lengthening effect," Bauer says of jeans that are cropped at the ankle. Zoë Kravitz donned a pair for a Fashion Week event, and you'd hardly be able to tell that she's actually 5'2". Plus, this style is perfect for showing off chic shoes.
2. High-waisted
Daniele Venturelli/WireImage
Bauer likes this style because it can "elongate the legs and give definition to the waist." At the 2025 Venice International Film Festival, Amanda Seyfried—who is 5'3"—rocked a high-waisted pair of jeans with a belt to add further definition.
3. Barrel leg
Gotham/GC Images
"These add dimension, but are not overwhelming to the body," Bauer says of this trendy denim style. "The key is to pair it with a more tailored top. It gives balance and dimension." That's what Julianne Moore, who is 5'3", did with this all-denim ensemble, which included cute barrel-leg jeans.
4. Flare
Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images
"These are easy to pair with a heel, and [they] give balance to a small frame," Bauer says of flare jeans. The 5'2" actress Eva Longoria styled her light-wash pair with heels and a waist-defining belt for a 2024 event.Related: These Are the 7 Best Shoes To Wear With Flare Jeans, According to Stylists
5. Slim wide-leg
Jason Howard/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
Slim wide-leg jeans pair a more fitted hip and thigh area with a more relaxed leg shape towards the hem, like the pair seen here on 5'1" actress Reese Witherspoon while she filmed The Morning Show. Bauer likes to pair this style with "a more fitted top for a look that does an all-over balancing act."
6. Straight-leg
Jon Kopaloff/WireImage
Kristen Bell—who is 5'1"—donned a pair of straight-leg jeans for a 2024 event. It's a classic silhouette for a reason. Bauer says this style "gives a clean look that feels streamlined."
7. Vintage style straight-leg
Donato Sardella/Getty Images for SAINT LAURENT
Vintage denim styles "are timeless and pair well with most anything," says Bauer, especially the straight-leg ones like the pair Zoë Kravitz wore to a pre-Oscars event in 2022.
8. Black denim
gotpap/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
Bauer calls black jeans "an every closet essential." And that includes celebrities' closets. Kourtney Kardashian, who is 5 feet tall, wore a pair of chic black jeans while out in LA. She paired the look with a fitted tee and carried a matching denim jacket for a more casual add-on. Bauer adds of this style that "you can dress it up or down, and black is always chic."
9. Tailored
PG/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
Related: 7 Best Petite Trench Coat Styles for Women, According to a Celebrity Stylist
Source:
Melanie Bauer is a costume designer and wardrobe stylist who's worked with celebrity clients like Josh Duhamel, Michelle Pfeiffer, Josh Brolin and more. Find her on Instagram: @melanie.bauer.style.Hence then, the article about 9 best jeans for short women according to a celebrity stylist was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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