The Best Pants Length for Short Women

Petite women must take special care with their pant lengths.

If you're a petite gal, you know that finding the right pant length is no easy task. Styles meant for taller women look awful on you, and finding jeans or trousers anywhere near the right size may still involve a trip to the tailor. But fear not, smaller ladies, you still have options.

Shorter Styles

Short women may want to eschew pant styles that hit at or below the knee. These cut off a petite lady's legs, visually, when she wants a flowing and continuous line.

Longer Styles

Longer pants are truly the best choice for short women, as they make legs seem to go on for miles. Choose styles that end at the ankle and puddle a bit over the front of the foot.

Considerations

Regardless of length, avoid pants that taper at the ends, such as skinny jeans. Wide-legged denim and trousers help play up the illusion of length. Cargo pants should also be avoided for similar reasons, as their bulky pockets can make petite women seem even shorter.

References

• Dress Your Best: The Complete Guide to Finding the Style That's Right for Your Body; Clinton Kelly and Stacy London; 2005