I Tried 10 Pairs of Madewell Petite Jeans—Here Are the 3 I Loved Most

Denim fit for shorties

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Madewell Petite Jeans Picks: Original photos of Stephanie Maida
Original photos by Stephanie Maida/Dasha Burobina

As many of my fellow shorties are all too aware, shopping for jeans as someone who's under 5'3" can be quite a task—even at brands we already know and love. Let's take Madewell, for example. Although it's arguably one of the most petite-friendly retailers out there, offering most of its denim styles in petite versions, I find that different cuts can fall at different lengths (despite the special sizing), and that the feel at the waist can vary from jean to jean.

Alas, such is the nature of denim designs, which may fluctuate in fit due to fabrication, waist rise and even pocket placement. Throw in the height factor and it becomes all the more important to do some research before adding-to-cart.

But if you, like me, prefer shopping online—or have to, since Madewell tends to have a limited selection of petite sizes in-store—you're welcome. I personally put in the legwork at my local outpost to try on (and nail down) the best styles for shorties, so you don't have to. Of the ten Madewell petite jeans I slipped into, here are two pairs I took home, and one more that's waiting for me at checkout.

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Can short gals pull off barrel jeans? I'd say so, especially if you've got these OGs in your arsenal. Madewell's take on the silhouette was one of the first ones I fell in love with, thanks to their curvy-but-not-too-extreme shape and darted details at the knee that help to give them structure. Length-wise, they hit right at the ankle on my 5'1" frame (with a 24.5-inch inseam if you're taking notes), but I do find them to run slightly big at the waist; I nabbed them in my regular size and actually got them taken in for a more snug fit. That said, they are made from a rigid, 100 percent cotton, so keep that in mind if you're hoping (or not hoping) for some wiggle room. Personally? I feel like the ultimate cool girl when I slip these on, and love that I don't have to worry about which shoes I'm pairing them with since the ankle-length hem allows for so many options.

Fast Facts

  • Size Range: 23 to 33
  • Inseam: 24.5 inches

Between the high waist and dramatic wide leg, these jeans channel serious '70s energy. (To that point, the extended, 29-inch inseam is paired perfectly with platforms.) Although the airy denim edition that I took home is already mostly sold out in petite sizes, these superwide-leg pants are still available in the standard fabrication, which features 97 percent cotton and 2 percent elastane for a comfortable touch of stretch. Plus, the high rise and lower hem helps create the illusion that shorter legs go on much longer than they actually do. It was love at first zip.

Fast Facts

  • Size Range: 23 to 33
  • Inseam: 29 inches

I've rarely met a flare jean I didn't love—after all, they are famously flattering on petites. So let's just say I went into the dressing room with high hopes for these stretchy vintage flares and, thankfully, was not disappointed. In my typical size, the waist and hips hugged (and slightly cinched) me perfectly. While the 29-inch inseam did skim the floor slightly in my kitten heels, there would be no need to hem them so long as I avoid wearing flats (if you're under 5'1", though, you might want to). I took so many selfies in these because of how long and slender my legs looked, so you know they're already waiting in my cart.

Fast Facts

  • Size Range: 23 to 33
  • Inseam: 29 inches

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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