One of the main reasons why it took me so long to embrace non-skinny jeans is how unflattering most pairs look on me right out of the package! The right length can be critical for a flattering look, and most jeans on the market require a little adjusting for petite ladies. Thankfully, whether it’s via cuffing, cutting, or hemming the bottoms – it’s an easy fix. Scroll to the bottom of the post for a video of these looks!
P.S. Levi’s wedgie jeans in “better weatherhead” (see on me here) are a similar alternative to these Everlane cheeky jeans. The Everlane denim has stretch to it and a zipper fly, while the Levi’s are a thicker denim with minimal stretch and a button fly. The length on both jeans need to be shortened for someone my height.
Adjustments: Tuck + Hem
Before diving into styling ideas, start by adjusting your straight leg jeans to hit at a flattering length, and make sure your waistline doesn’t disappear amidst a loose top and loose bottoms. I always go for a higher rise to elongate the leg line, and prefer the length to hit above my ankles for some balance.
Below are 4 outfit ideas with the same jeans and tee shirt! I really love these straight-cut Everlane tees as a wardrobe staple and have them in multiple colors, with and without pockets. The length runs on the shorter side, and I went a size up for a relaxed fit.
Look 1: Moto Jacket +Tucked Tee
Look 2: Trench Coat + Nude Pumps
Look 3: Sweater + Flat Sandals
Look 4: Blazer + Leather Sneakers
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I know this post is from a while back, but how do you know how short to cut the jeans when you cut them yourself. I know you said to the length to what you like, but any suggestions? Like where they should hit on the ankle/leg? Thank you for your help. Happy New Year! 🙂
Hi Jean,
Have loved your site for so many years. Thank you so much for recommending the Levi’s Wedgie. I’ve been searching for a more straight leg jean for a while. Just received my pair and was thrilled to find they were exactly what I was looking for. Keep up the great work!
Hi Laura, I’m so glad to hear that you love them! I really appreciate your kind words and your support over the years. Wishing you a very happy holiday season!
Hi Jean! Did you end up cutting the hem off of these, as shown in the trench coat pic?
Hi,
I just found your site and love it! I’m quite short and am definitely not great at dressing for my height. Are the Everlane cheeky jeans in regular or ankle? Thanks!
Hi Josey, so glad you’ve found my blog! I wear the Everlane cheeky jeans in ankle
Thanks so much, I’m obsessed with your blog 😆. I know you mentioned the difference between the Everlane cheeky jeans vs. the Levi’s Wedgie jeans but do you have a preference between the two?
I reach for the Levi’s more because I like the look but the Everlane are actually more comfortable, especially if you’re going to be sitting a lot throughout the day because they’re so stretchy!
Thanks so much for your great posts. They’ve been so helpful to me over the years! Quick question – can you recommend a straight jean for those of us with shorter torso? Thank you!
Hi Cynthia, thanks so much for following along over the years!! I would recommend looking for something with a mid-rise instead of high. I personally go for a high rise, so don’t have a mid rise to recommend from experience but I believe both J.Crew and Madewell offer straight cuts with midrises
I love how you style in different ways!
Beige blazer one is my favorite 💗
Thank you always for your sharing all the tips including baby and kids ☺️
Have a wonderful weekend 💕
Thank you Erina!
These look great but I have a question: Is there just no hope of having warm ankles if you’re a short person wanting to wear these pants? All these styles look to chilly for winter…
Yes! This!! Love all these tips, and would love even more practical advice– whenever I leave the house I’m walking 2 miles minimum to/from the train. In all sorts of weather. Would love more looks that include shoes you can walk fast in all day, and for all types of weather. Whether going out to a fancy dinner or to the office.
Hi Kristin! I think sneakers like the ones shown in this post or a flat shoe totally work with cropped straight leg jeans. A lot of Bostonians commute / walk a fair distance each day and typically keep a change a shoes at our desk or in our purse that can be more office or fancy dinner appropriate.
I love straight legged jeans with a fitted shaft ankle boot, such as sock style booties similar to Stuart Weitzman booties I showed earlier this year. I will show how I’d style that when it gets a little cooler!
Thank you for this post! Ive been hestitant too to try different pant leg styles because i felt like it made my short frame look shorter and frumpy. Your styling of them even with basic tees make them look so much cooler!
You’re too kind, thank you Brandi!
Is great to see straight jeans styling for petites. Is hard to find a good pair w/out modifying hems.
Love this Jean! How do you decide the correct length to cut your jeans to? And then how do you stop them from constantly fraying further and looking a complete mess?
Thank you! I think the exact length comes down to personal preference. I always recommend trying jeans on with shoes and simply folding the hems at first to find the length you like best before cutting. The hem will fray a bit if you put it in the machine dryer, I personally like that look but you can simply trim off any threads that get too long. Another option would be using an anti-fray product, which you can find at any craft store!
Love this! What is your trick to keeping the T-shirt tucked as a crop top (like in Look 1 with moto jacket)?
Thank you! I tucked my shirt up into my bra band for the cropped look