My Petite Friend Thought She Couldn't Wear Capri Pants—I Made It My Mission to Find Her Perfect Pair
Calf-grazing, body-skimming and mid-rise—capris pants are a controversial cut of trousers that could easily strike fear in the hearts of the less emboldened fashion lovers amongst us. However, apprehension around wearing the trend is only compounded when you’re on the shorter side. Well, at least that's what all my petite friends tell me.
As someone who narrowly misses out on being categorised as petite—for the uninitiated, petites are considered as someone who falls under 5’ 4” and I just scarcely skim this classification at 5’5”—my experience as a fashion editor affords me to speak on the subject, especially when coupled insights from my petite contemporaries. Rest assured, the struggle to find trousers that cut at the right spot on your leg is one I know all too well also.
You see, the key to establishing a chic capri pant outfit all comes down to proportions. Given their three-quarter length, it’s important that the silhouette falls between the bottom of the knee and the middle of the shin, or it will run the risk of being deemed a cropped trouser. (The difference between the two is that the latter will stop just above the ankle.)
However, where petites are at an advantage is that the shape itself was designed with smaller frames in mind. The original adopters of capri pants were actually more gamine film starlets like Audrey Hepburn, proving that despite lacking in stature, the illusion of height is achieved by revealing a glint of skin.
These days, there are endless petite style icons who have co-signed on the capri pants trend. Sabrina Carpenter has consistently worn the look, both on stage during her Short’N’Sweet tour and while off-duty. Ariana Greenblatt channelled her inner old Hollywood bombshell while attending the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in a pair of vintage Chanel capri pants from Karl Lagerfeld’s spring 1993 collection.
As these fashion insiders have proven, there’s no precise rule for finding the best capri pants for petites other than ensuring the length remains in that goldilocks spot on your lower leg. To ensure this without trying on, you’ll want to keep your eye out for options that have a maximum inseam of 22”.
This measurement refers to the length from the crotch to the hem, so as long as you don’t exceed these dimensions, you’re certain to find a pair that suits you best.
To prove this point, I’ve rounded up the best capri pants for petites across the designer set and expensive-looking high-street staples.
There’s nothing quite like trying things on in person before you buy, but to help you get a feel for what’s available, keep scrolling through to see the styles that are the crème de la crème.
Shop the Best Capri Pants for PetitesIf you've gotten this far into the article and are unsure whether capri pants suit petites, allow me to be the voice of reason to convince you once and for all that yes, capri pants suit petites.
Because these pants are cropped in a way that exposes at least a quarter of your leg at all times, they give you an elongated effect as your frame won't be swallowed in fabric the way wide-leg trousers or some dresses might.
What Should Petites Look Out for When Buying Capri Pants?There are two crucial factors that petite women should factor in when buying capri pants.
The first is length. You'll want to ensure that the capri pants stop between your calf and knee, so looking for styles that have a length of 22" and below is paramount.
Secondly, you should keep an eye out for fabric. Some cotton styles run the risk of losing shape, which means they won't be as tight around your leg or bum and result in a sagging silhouette that's never complementary.
What Brands Make the Best Capri Pants for Capris?There are so many brands that make the best capri pants for capris, but to shout out just a few, the likes of Reformation, Abercrombie and Nobody's Child, as these have dedicated petites offerings that ensure the fit of their capris is cut to suit smaller frames specifically.
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