I'm 5'2 Here's 21 Best Stores To Buy High Waisted Pants For Petites

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black high rise silk pants for short women

Searching for the perfect pair of high waisted pants for petites can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. But worry not, because we've done the legwork for you! We've scoured the market to compile a list of the petite high waisted pants. By studying pants measurements, model height, and customer reviews, we've curated a collection of high waisted pants you won't have to take to the tailor.


Our mission was to find pants that not only have a high waistline but also catered to petite proportions. We scrutinized dimensions like inseam length, rise, and overall fit to ensure our selection would hug your curves and elongate your silhouette.


To make sure our recommendations were spot-on, we considered the heights of the models and the fabrics that were used. We also read a lot of customer reviews to get all the deets on fit, comfort, durability, and overall satisfaction. AND some pieces below are even suitable pants for women under 5 feet.

Short answer: my 3 favorite high waisted pants for petites

Best overall: Ruti Petite On The Loose Work Pants ($249), the most comfortable pants I've ever put on.

Best for work: Spanx Ponte Micro Flare Pant for Petites ($148), in petite lengths for 5'3 and under.

Best under $50: Quince Ultra-Stretch Straight Leg Pants ($39). They're super stretchy and wrinkle-proof.

High waisted pants for petites at a glance

Pants Price Style Good to know
1. Ruti Petite On The Loose Work Pants $249 Barrel My most comfortable pair
2. Spanx Ponte Micro Flare Pant for Petites $148 Micro flare Petite lengths for 5'3 and under
3. J.Crew High Rise Petite Pants in Textured Satin $129 Palazzo Comes in 4 other colors
4. Mango Catherin Cropped Corduroy Trousers $39 Cropped corduroy Petite-friendly cropped fit
5. Favorite Daughter The Shortie Pants $218 Relaxed fit Made for short women
6. Anthropologie Colette Cropped Petite Wide-Leg Pants $120 Cropped wide leg Over 2,000 5-star reviews
7. Reformation Mason High Waisted Tailored Pants $178 Tailored Lots of colors
8. Banana Republic High Rise Everywhere Pant $59 Ponte Work or a night out
9. A&F Sloane Tailored Wide Leg Pant $90 Tailored wide leg For 5'2 and under
10. Abercrombie Low Rise Cream Pants $72 Low to mid rise For a long torso and shorter legs
11. Ann Taylor Petite Wide Leg Pants $129 Wide leg Buyers say a little long with sneakers
12. Reformation Petites Olina Silk Palazzo Pant $198 Silk palazzo Wear it all year
13. Gap High Rise Stride Wide-Leg Jeans $55 Wide leg jeans A 5'0 buyer says petite was the perfect length
14. Banana Republic Sculpted Bootcut Work Pant $39 Bootcut Pick the petite version
15. Quince Flare Pants $49 Palazzo 5+ colors
16. Quince Ultra-Stretch Straight Leg Pants $39 Straight leg Stretchy and wrinkle-proof
17. Reformation Petites Fletcher Pant $148 Subtle wide leg with a slit High rise
18. Reformation Petites Satin Pant $198 Satin Petite-friendly with 2-inch heels
19. Amazon Petite Wide Leg Pants $36 Wide leg 29 in. inseam
20. Amazon Womens Bootcut Work Pants $18 Crossover waist flare A 5'3 buyer says they don't reach the floor
21. J.Crew Petite Sailor Slim Wide-Leg Chino Pant $69 Slim wide-leg chino Comes in a petite length

Prices are from the shop buttons below and can change. A dash means the pick doesn't say.

21 Best High Waisted Pants For Petites

1. Ruti Petite On The Loose Work Pants: best overall

black high waisted barrel pants for women
petite high waisted barrel pants black
Ruti

These Ruti barrel pants are by far the most comfortable pair of pants I’ve ever put on my body and that says a lot coming from someone who loves Skims and Leset. They’re perfect for everything from walking your dog or meeting friends, to hiking, running errands, working from home, or even grabbing a casual lunch. I have them in black, which makes them super easy to pair with just about anything. They're expensive, but honestly worth every penny considering how many times a week I reach for these.

2. Spanx Ponte Micro Flare Pant for Petites: best for work

black high waisted petite pants
Spanx

Spanx offers petite lengths for women 5'3 and under! These particular pants are nice because they can be worn formally to work or a dinner, while keeping you comfortable due to its stretchy material. I also love the micro flare design.


One verified buyer said, "These pants fit perfectly, the fabric is great and the pants drape well. I’m 5’4.5 and weigh 130. Size small petite were perfect."

3. J.Crew High Rise Petite Pants in Textured Satin: best satin palazzo

burgundy high rise textured satin pant petite
navy high waisted palazzo pants for petites
J. Crew

I'm obsessed with J. Crew, especially as a petite woman. I bought a cashmere sweater that's petite friendly and can't stop wearing it. These petite palazzo pants come in four other colors that are great for the Fall season.

Related: Check out these bikinis for petites.

4. Mango Catherin Cropped Corduroy Trousers for Petites: best corduroy

dark green high waisted corduroy pants for petite women
Mango

These are petite-friendly because of the cropped fit. Comes in other colors!

5. Favorite Daughter The Shortie Pants: best made for short women

high waisted trousers for petite body type
black high waisted petite pants womens
Favorite Daughter

Hence the name, these pants were created solely for short women! It also comes in different colors. This is a classic, relaxed fit pant that can be worn formally or casually, depending on how you style them. My favorite is the pinstripe shade, but also comes in black, beige, and ivory.


One verified buyer said, "MY favorite pant. Officially have three colors and could not be more obsessed with these. Incredible quality and so easy!"

6. Anthropologie Colette Cropped Petite Wide-Leg Pants For Women: best reviewed

women wearing green wide leg trousers for petites
brown high waisted linen pants for petite women
Anthropologie

These pants have over 2,000 5-star reviews! Comes in different colors and perfect for any occasion. I think these pants could definitely be even more elevated if you swap the button with something more thick and heavy duty.


Someone in the reviews said "These pants are unlike any other! They are comfortable, look fabulous, feel great! They are worth every penny!!"

Related: Check out these petite wide leg jeans.

7. Reformation Mason High Waisted Tailored Pants For Petites: best tailored pair

black high waisted petite trousers for work
Reformation

These petite high waisted pants from Reformation have been a best-seller. Also comes in a ton of different colors. 

8. Banana Republic High Rise Everywhere Pant: best shape trousers for short legs

banana republic everywhere pant high rise wide leg black
Banana Republic

These are a great pair of pants that can be worn to work or for a night out with friends. It has some great reviews.


One verified purchaser said, "I love the ponte pants. I have several pairs. They are comfortable and well made. The pants also wash well. I love the color too!"


9. A&F Sloane Tailored Wide Leg Pant For Women 5'2 And Under: best wide leg for 5'2 and under

cute work pants for petite women
best trousers for petites black
Abercrombie

You can always count on Abercrombie for a good pair of petite pants at a reasonable price point. I am even more obsessed with their petite denim, particularly these specific ultra loose low rise jeans.

10. Abercrombie Low Rise Cream Pants: best for a long torso

khaki high waisted pants for petites

These petite cream pants are low to mid rise which are very flattering for short women who have a long torso and shorter legs. 

11. Ann Taylor Petite Wide Leg Pants For Petite Women: best with short heels

best pants for short women
Ann Taylor

Ann Taylor has an entire section of petite high waisted pants. Some petite buyers said these pants were a little long when worn with sneakers, but when worn with a pair of short heels they were perfect length.

Related: Check out these sweaters for petites

12. Reformation Petites Olina Silk Palazzo Pant: best silk palazzo

ivory silk pants high waisted
beige womens petite pants
Reformation

A classic and timeless wardrobe staple you will wear all year long. I personally love pairing these with Fall/Winter outfits - it makes every outfit way more chic.

13. Gap High Rise Stride Wide-Leg Jeans: best jeans

high waisted jeans for petite women gap
Gap

GAP has SO many high waisted pants for short women (especially trousers). Definitely check out their entire collection.


One verified purchaser said, "I'm 5'0 the petite were the perfect length and true to size. I am 112lbs & I got my regular size 26. I love the fit of these and got so many compliments. Short girls can wear wide legs perfectly!"

14. Banana Republic Sculpted Bootcut Work Pant for Petite Women: best bootcut under $40

black high waisted pants for petites
Banana Republic Factory

These pants can be easily worn for work or on a night out with friends. Make sure to choose the petite version when adding to cart.

Related: Check out my favorite places to buy petite curvy jeans.

15. Quince Flare Pants: best palazzo pants for petites

petite palazzo pants light brown
black high waisted pants for petites
Quince

Quince offers a lot of pants with shorter inseams. These particular palazzo pants also come in 5+ colors.


One verified buyer said, "These fit nicely and are my go to for dressy work occasions. They are slim fitting and not super thick, so you can tick a thin blouse in. The length and width of the legs is really good on me!"

Looking for comfortable jeans? Check out these 17 stretch jeans that feel like leggings.

16. Quince Ultra-Stretch Straight Leg Pants: best stretch pants

cream high waisted straight leg pant
Quince

These straight leg pants feel like yoga pants but can be worn to work or a casual outing. They are super stretchy, and are wrinkle-proof!


One verified buyer said, "I love these pants that I have 2 pairs now. They are so comfy, don't wrinkle and continue to look classy throughout my day or evening."

17. Reformation Petites Fletcher Pant: best for a night out

high rise slit pant for petite women
Reformation

Reformation's fall collection is 10/10. These are high rise petite pants, with a subtle wide leg design and slit on the bottom. Also another great pair for work or night out with the girls.

18. Reformation Petites Satin Pant: best silk pants for petites

best silk pants for petite high waisted
black high waisted silk pants for petites
Reformation

I got these, and they’re petite-friendly when I wear them with 2-inch heels. I’ve also tried them with sneakers and loafers and don’t mind if they drag on the floor a little. It’s just personal preference. Overall, I can vouch that they’re mostly short-leg friendly!

Related: Check out these lingerie sets for petites

19. Amazon Petite Wide Leg Pants for Women: best for lounging

black high waisted wide leg pants for petite women
Amazon

So many reviews saying these pants are perfect for women 5'2 and under! These are great pants to lounge around in or go for a casual coffee run in the morning. 


One verified buyer said, "This is my husbands account so this may look like it’s coming from a man, it’s not lol. I bought these pants with high hopes. I pulled them out of the bag and they looked very boxy & wide. I wasn’t sure about them but then I put them on… absolutely the best pants I’ve ever purchased! So comfortable while also being flattering and nice looking. The perfect length with my wedge boots. I absolutely love them and will be buying a bunch more!"

20. Amazon Womens Bootcut Work Pants: best under $20

black crossover waist flare leggings
Amazon

These aren't pants, but I had to put these in here! Someone left a review and said, "Great tummy control, accentuates curves, doesn't reach the floor, perfect length when i got a small in black. I'm 5’3 with a 25” waist. So worth it it and doesn't look cheap! It’s also thick enough where it's not see through.

21. J.Crew Petite Sailor Slim Wide-Leg Chino Pant: best chino

navy flare pants linen blend women 5
J. Crew

Comes in a petite length and other colors.


One verified purchaser said, "I recently purchased these pants, and I’m beyond impressed with both the comfort and style! The material is light and breathable. The fabric feels soft against the skin, and the pants are surprisingly durable."

Related: Check out these sweater dresses for petites.

How to Make High Waisted Pants Work for Your Petite Figure

Through hours of scouring the internet, considering dimensions, model height, and customer reviews, we hope we were able to find a petite high waisted pant that fit and flatter your smaller figure. Whether you're dressing up for a special occasion or keeping it casual, our selection has you covered. So, say goodbye to pants that swallow you, and hello to the perfect fit. If you are in need for more petite pants styles, check out these petite linen pants that you won't have to tailor.

High Waisted Pants for Petites FAQ

What length pants should a 5'2 woman wear?

Look for petite lengths, which are made for women 5'3 and under (Spanx's petite pants are). Your shoes matter too. Some Ann Taylor buyers found the petite wide leg pants a little long with sneakers but the perfect length with short heels, and I wear the Reformation satin pants with 2-inch heels.

Should short women wear high waisted pants?

Yes, a high waistline can elongate your silhouette. If you have a long torso and shorter legs, though, a low to mid rise can be more flattering, like the Abercrombie Low Rise Cream Pants ($72).

Where can I buy petite pants?

Spanx, J.Crew, Reformation, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Abercrombie, Gap and Quince all have petite or shorter lengths. Favorite Daughter's Shortie Pants were made for short women, and Ruti's On The Loose work pants come in petite.

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Meet the author

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Kaylin Malek Khorsandi

Hi, I’m Kaylin. I’ve spent years researching, testing, and comparing products to find the ones that actually live up to their promise. What started as my personal habit of hunting for the best quality at a fair price has grown into a trusted space where thousands of readers come to make smarter shopping decisions. Every recommendation is based on real use, detailed research, and honest feedback, so you can feel confident that what you’re buying is genuinely worth it. My goal is to help you save time, money, and stress by sharing products that last and truly add value to your life.

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