Take a quick look at some of the most stylish petite women and I can guarantee you’ll find one staple denim style in their wardrobe — the wide-leg jean. More modern than the cropped jean and offering a little more polish than classic straight leg styles, they’re regularly spotted on petite celebrities, like Victoria Beckham and Nicole Richie, to the point where they could be classed as the uniform of the chicest petite women.
Yet, while their popularity is undisputed, you may be wondering why wide-leg jeans are so perfect for petite frames? Well, as a 4ft11” fashion editor who swears by the style myself, I can share some insight.
What makes wide-leg jeans the best jeans for petite frames is their unrivalled ability to make legs appear longer. How? Well, the loose-fit cut skirts the body, elongating the lower half for a statuesque look. The key is to ensure your wide-leg jeans fall all the way to the floor, without pooling at the bottom, to maximise the effect without swamping your shape. When paired with a tucked shirt (à la Victora Beckham) or a form-fitting vest, as often seen on Nicole, wide-leg jeans then work overtime to flatter and lengthen petite frames without overwhelming them.
Now, before you get to thinking that wide-leg jeans only work for celebrities, allow me to prove you wrong. As I mentioned earlier, I'm a big fan of wide-leg jeans, and so, I’ve hunted in my own wardrobe for my 5 favourite styles and tried them on so you can see exactly how they look on a real person, too. These are the best wide-leg jeans for petites, as chosen, tried and tested by me, a petite fashion editor…
The Best Wide Leg Jeans For Petites
- Best overall wide leg jeans for petites: M&S Autograph High Waisted Wide Leg Jeans (£55)
- Best leg-lengthening wide leg jeans for petites: PAIGE Sasha Wide Leg Jeans (£285)
- Best slim fit wide leg jeans for petites: Bell St Audran Jeans (£130)
- Best trend-led wide leg jeans for petites: Abercrombie High Rise Wide Leg Jeans (£75)
- Best affordable wide leg jeans for petites: ASOS Petite High Waist Wide Leg Jeans (£38)
1. M&S Autograph High Waisted Wide Leg Jeans
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Size range: 6-24
Leg lengths: Short, regular and long
Shade range: Black, indigo and blue
Style notes: In my opinion, M&S’ petite jeans and trousers offering is the best on the high street. Featuring a range of fits, colours and designs, as well as more trend-led takes, alongside classic washes, their petite denim collection really has something for everyone. Case in point, when it comes to wide-leg jeans, there are a few different styles to choose from, including their mainline style, which come in 6 shades and gets updated each season.
My personal favourite, however, are the Autograph Wide Leg Jeans. Made from a super soft denim with the perfect amount of stretch, they deliver on both comfort and style. On my 4ft11” height, the short length is perfect when worn with a kitten heel or chunky trainers for a little added lift, or, I simply like to add a little turn up when wearing with flats so they don't drag too much.
Pros
- Slight stretch for comfort
- High-waisted cut makes legs appear longer
Cons
- Sell out quickly
2. PAIGE Sasha Wide Leg Jeans
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Size range: W23-34
Leg lengths: 30”
Shade range: Black and multiple blues
Style notes: Standing at 4ft11”, I’m always on the lookout for ways to make myself appear just that little bit taller and, after trying on PAIGE’s Sasha jeans, I think I’ve finally cracked it. Trust me, these wide-leg jeans are the ultimate leg lengtheners.
Featuring an ultra-high rise waist, a soft, wide leg shape that drapes the body and a wash which subtly fades from light to dark at the hem, they elongate like no jeans I’ve ever tried. My only wish is that PAIGE offered a 28” inch leg as well as the 30” as even with heels, I have to be careful not to trip on them. For those who stand at the taller end of the petite spectrum, however, these are a winner.
Pros
- Made from sturdy denim
Cons
- May be too long for some heights
3. Abercrombie Fitch High Rise Wide Leg Jeans
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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 want to head in-store and try on a wide range of petite jeans, head to Abercrombie. While many of the best petite brands seclude their petite sizing to online only, this is one of the few shops that stock shorter lengths in most styles in-store. This includes their high-rise wide-leg jeans, a great timeless denim style that comes in both extra short and short leg lengths for varying petite heights.
Above, I’m wearing the short length, which, with a slight turn up, are perfect for my 4ft11” frame in flats. The cut sits wide on the leg with a straight fit, which falls uniformly from top to bottom, giving a relaxed finish that feels classically cool. Yet, if classic isn’t your style, these also come in butter yellow, pink and grey in the same great fit, offering a more trend-led alternative to traditional blue.
Pros
- Multiple colour options
- Two short leg lengths
4. Bell St Audran Jeans
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Size range: W24-34
Leg lengths: 28”, 30”, 32”, 34”
Shade range: Black, indigo and blue
Style notes: Bell St Denim is a new discovery for me; however, since I got my hands on these jeans, I haven’t taken them off. Founded in 2025, the brand is committed to creating timeless denim with sustainable practices. For that reason, their collection is small, consisting of just four denim styles in a range of lengths, including a 28” leg, which is ideal for petite heights.
The Audran, is Bell St’s take on a wide-leg jean — a style which sits close to the leg before flaring out ever so slightly at the knee. In comparison to the other wide-leg jeans on this list, these are definitely the slimmest, making them a great option for those who may have found wide-leg jeans overwhelming on their petite frame in the past. They also feature a high waist, ideal for giving the illusion of longer legs, and are made from 100% cotton for a sturdy fit that moulds to your body over time. Now I’ve tried these, I can’t wait to get my hands on more Bell St styles.
Pros
- Multiple leg lengths
- Made from 100% cotton
Cons
- Limited colour options
5. ASOS Petite High Waist Wide Leg Jeans
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Size range: W23-34
Leg lengths: 26” and 28”
Shade range: Light and dark blue
Style notes: Lastly, while many of the wide leg jeans on this list offer a structured shape, for a more relaxed fit, I’m a big fan of ASOS’ style. Sitting loose on the leg from top to bottom, these have the perfect amount of slouch for a nostalgic 90’s look that pairs perfectly with dad trainers and Ugg boots alike. What I also love about ASOS’ jeans is that they come in a 26” leg length, ideal for those like me who fall at the shorter end of the petite spectrum. For me, this shorter leg length finishes at the perfect point for flat shoes with no puddling around the ankle.
Pros
- Affordable
- Relaxed fit
Cons
- Limited colour options
- Sell out quickly
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