I Tried Abercrombie’s Most Controversial Jean Style for Petites—and Actually Love It?

Bring on the ‘90s flashbacks

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Published Aug 13, 2025

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Abercrombie & Fitch Ultra-Loose Low-Rise Jean Try-On: Original photo of Stephanie Maida in black shirt and baggy jeans, Abercrombie models

The perfect pair of jeans for a petite woman should typically meet a number of requirements: high waist (to make legs look longer), snug fit (to show off your figure) and a delicate balance of length and volume (so as not to overwhelm your frame). Abercrombie & Fitch’s Low-Rise Ultra-Loose jeans ($90), as their name suggests, offer the exact opposite of all of the above.

And yet, when I recently slipped a pair onto my 5’1” body, I was instantly obsessed. Turns out, this controversial cut actually can work for shorties—so long as you’re willing to step a bit outside your comfort zone and embrace some nostalgia.

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Original photo by Stephanie Maida

Abercrombie & Fitch

I was born too late to don JNCO jeans in the ‘90s (I was more in the OshKosh B'gosh demographic at the time), but there’s something about the baggy, slouchy, break-the-rules style that my rebel soul longs for—perhaps for the very fact that they flout the conventions of flattering fashion for petites. I find the same Gen X edginess brought to life in these bad boys, which definitely have a throwback vibe but still feel distinctly contemporary.

The Ultra-Loose jeans come in multiple washes and are all constructed from a blend of cotton and lyocell, giving them a soft, lived-in texture that underscores their relaxed fit. Baggy though they are, they’re also not as tentlike as those old-school JNCOs, so even a pipsqueak like me won’t get completely lost in the wide legs (a welcome surprise, TBH). Plus, they’re available in short and extra short lengths (with 28.75- and 26.75-inch inseams, respectively), so my fellow height-lackers don’t have to worry about dragging hems.

Abercrombie & Fitch

Now, if the term “low-rise” instantly strikes fear into your heart—same. However, the waist on these isn’t nearly as frightening as the ones we used to see on Britney Spears and Paris Hilton back in the day. I also purposely sized up for this try-on, ensuring there would be no awkward squeezing or digging at my hips and tummy.

If there’s one petite pro tip I would suggest sticking to when wearing these A&F jeans (or any other wide-leg style of bottoms), it’s pairing them with a slim-fitting top like I do here. There is only so much volume a short gal can handle.

Bottom Line

No one is more surprised than I am that these trendy oversized pants don’t appear totally out-of-proportion on my petite frame, and dare I say, actually make me look cool? Whether you’re short, tall or somewhere in between, I’d recommend giving this slouchy style a try—if only to prove that the ‘90s are alive and well (and still look really good).

Fast Facts

Size Range: 23 to 38
Lengths: extra short, short, regular, long, extra long
Materials: cotton, lyocell

from $90 at abercrombie & Fitch

Stephanie Maida

Senior Commerce Editor

Oversees PureWow's coverage of sales and deals, celebrity commerce and new launches across categories
Has worked as a writer and editor for 10+ years
Studied journalism at New York University

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