"Even before pregnancy and having a kid, my relationship with denim has always been complicated. I’m 5 feet 2 inches tall and also curvy. So finding jeans that manage to somehow look both flattering and also not require extensive tailoring for length has always been a chore. Postpartum, that changed yet again. My changing body shape made me shy away from more form-fitting jeans, opting for flowy dresses or leggings instead for the comfort.
Now, a few years into motherhood, my body is still short and curvy, but I’m ready for jeans again. But having a kid has added in another must-have factor to the equation: I need comfort.
Having a 2-year-old means that I’m not looking for standing jeans. I need something that is comfortable, flattering, and easy to move around in. It’s a real Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants situation, in that I’m looking for magic pants, essentially. Because of this, I’ve often opted for dresses, which can be stretchy, flowy, and flexible in all the ways that jeans often aren’t.
But, with colder weather, dresses aren’t always going to cut it. I need a great pair of jeans that will manage work on a petite, curvy body and fit into my daily life. And on my search for the best pair, I’ve found a few genuine winners.
How I Chose the Best Curvy Petite Jeans
The best way to find jeans that actually work for your body? Trying them on. But first, I had to narrow down my selections. As any online shopper knows, scouring the reviews is going to be the best way to determine what you can expect when ordering a product. This is especially true when you’re looking for jeans. Sizing, length, and comfort can all vary drastically from brand to brand.
I started by looking at a few tried-and-true favorite brands. Many offer specific “curvy” and/or “petite” options that I knew I could consider. Typically, these options come with a little more elasticity, as well as a shorter length and inseam for shorter gals like myself. I also look at a few specific factors when it comes to picking out denim for myself.
What I Look For in Jeans
- Petite or Crop Sizing: Anyone 5 feet 4 inches and under is considered “petite” sizing. This often means a shorter length and inseam for jeans. While not all brands offer petite jeans, I always look out for the ones that do. This helps avoid having to tailor length or deal with factors like high-rise jeans that end up going all the way up to my chest (true story).
- Curvy Style: In the past decade or so, I’ve noticed a lot more brands expanding their “curvy” selection of jeans. Among other curve lines, Abercrombie & Fitch offers a Curve Love collection. These pants have additional room through the hips and thighs for optimal comfort. They’re often still offered in petite or short lengths as well, which is especially helpful.
- Fabric Content: For comfort, fabric content is going to be key. To give the jeans a bit of stretch, look out for a bit of polyester and elastane along with cotton.
- Buttons vs. Zipper: While not a must, I have found that zipper jeans are just far less of a hassle to deal with than button-up jeans. If I find a perfect pair that happens to have buttons, I’ll go for it, but typically I’m a zipper girl all the way.
- Straight Leg: Honestly, this one is down to personal preference. But I have found that straight leg or skinny jeans are typically easier to style on my shorter frame.
The Best Curvy Petite Jeans That I’ve Tried
After trying on quite a few options from a variety of brands, these were the best curvy petite jeans I managed to track down.
DÔEN Diana Crop Jean
DÔEN is one of my favorite investment brands to shop at, but I had never tried their denim options. But when I saw that they had created a “cropped” version of their popular Diana Jean with a half-inch shorter rise and 2-inch shorter inseam, my interest was piqued.
The DÔEN Diana Crop Jean is a splurge, to be sure. But when you try them on, you’ll understand why. Made with 100 percent organic cotton, these feel like a pair of jeans that will last a lifetime. My usual size fit like a glove. I also felt like it would stretch and mold with my body to become incredibly cozy (as most 100 percent cotton jeans will do). The length of the straight jeans hit right at my ankle, making them perfect to wear with some sneakers or a pair of boots. I loved them so much that I didn’t even mind that they broke my pro-zipper rule. Despite having a button fly, the style fits so well I barely even noticed.
Old Navy Curvy High-Waisted OG Straight Ankle Jeans
Another brand that has excelled in curvy petite jeans is Old Navy. The brand offers jeans in petite, regular, and tall, making them accessible to all heights. Their curve jeans market themselves as having a no-gap waist, making them perfect for those of us with some hips. Specifically, the curvy waist is 2 inches roomier at the hip.
For the Old Navy Curvy High-Waisted OG Straight Ankle Jeans, the straight leg is versatile to pair with anything, and the material is particularly comfortable with 83 percent cotton (and 5 percent recycled cotton), 11 percent recycled polyester, and 1 percent spandex for that stretch.
Abercrombie Curve Love Mid Rise ’90s Straight Jean
As a millennial, I never thought I’d say this in the year 2024, but Abercrombie & Fitch has become one of my absolute favorite brands to shop—especially for jeans. When it comes to their denim, Abercrombie offers the Curve Love collection, with extra room in the hips and thighs. Importantly, they also sell quite a few different length options. This includes extra short for below 5 feet and short for 5 feet 3 inches and below.
While there are quite a few Curve Love options to choose from, the pair that I’d say has gotten the most hype (and with good reason) is the Abercrombie Curve Love Mid Rise ’90s Straight Jean. These ’90s-style jeans have a mid-rise and straight leg and wear like the most perfect pair of vintage jeans. Available in quite a few washes, wearing these paired with a nice top made me feel like Rachel Green in the very best way.
Madewell The Curvy Perfect Vintage Jeans
If I had to choose just one brand to buy denim from, it would be Madewell. The Madewell The Curvy Perfect Vintage Jeans are similar to the Abercrombie & Fitch ’90s Straight Jean with their vintage appeal.
The brand’s curve-friendly styles are designed for an hourglass shape with a longer rise, contoured band, and extra room at the hips. Made with 98 percent cotton and 2 percent recycled elastane, the jeans are stretchy in all the right ways. They immediately felt very lived-in the first time you put them on. The Vintage Jeans are mid-rise and come in standard, tall, petite, and plus sizing. I have personally found Madewell jeans run a touch large, so I often size down from my typical sizing and find that works best.
Oliver Logan Madison Jeans
I was really impressed by the new-to-me brand Oliver Logan. I tried the Oliver Logan Madison Jeans and was immediately taken by how comfortable they were (definitely the most important quality). Made of 66 percent cotton, 33 percent recycled cotton, and 1 percent spandex, the jeans have the perfect amount of stretch for curves without feeling too clingy.
The relaxed fit through the leg also makes them fitted, but never too much like a 2000s-era skintight pair of skinny jeans. The style does run big, so I found going a size down from my usual was perfect. The length (which is only offered as regular, not petite or tall) is just the tiniest bit long but was easy enough to wear with a slight roll. I’ll likely look into getting them hemmed an inch because I enjoy the fit of them so much.
Sézane Slim Parfait Jeans
Surprisingly, I did fall in love with one pair of jeans that was not marketed towards curvy or petite sizing. The Sézane Slim Parfait are mid-rise skinny jeans, meant to (in their words) strike a balance “between stretch and structure.” And, honestly, I should have expected nothing less from the cult-favorite French brand.
I’m a true Millennial, so Gen Z can pry my skinny jeans from my cold dead hands. And these are one of the most flattering pairs I’ve ever worn. Made with 97 percent organic cotton and 3 percent elastane, the jeans are form-fitting and super flattering. I picked up the style in black and felt that the material only got comfier the longer I wore it.
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Morgan Flaherty, Contributing Writer
Morgan is full-time writer, editor, and mom. Along with her work as a contributing writer for The Everymom on all things Disney World, beauty products, and the latest fashion trends, her writing has appeared in Well + Good, InStyle, Scary Mommy, Byrdie, and Baby Chick.