I’ve never been much of a pants person. As someone on the shorter side, hemming has always been a hassle, and honestly, I just love the ease of throwing on a dress and heading out the door. But even I can’t deny the timeless appeal of a great pair of pleated trousers. Lately, those flowy, wide-leg pants have become a staple for effortlessly cool girls everywhere. They’re polished and professional yet somehow still laid-back—making them perfect for more than just office wear. My only challenge as a 5’1” girl? Figuring out how to wear them without looking like I raided my mom’s ‘80s power suit collection.
Thankfully, styling them is way easier than it seems. With brands like Abercrombie & Fitch and Madewell offering petite sizing, finding pleated trousers that don’t swallow me whole has gotten a lot simpler. Over time, I’ve picked up a few styling tricks to make them work for my height, but I also turned to Angela Foster—a stylist who specializes in dressing petite women—for expert advice. “Petites can absolutely wear pleated pants,” she told me. “Like any piece of clothing, it’s just about finding the right fit for your body shape.”
Meet the Expert
Angela Foster is a petite style coach and personal shopper with over 20 years of experience in the fashion and beauty industry. She helps high-achieving, shorter-statured women find clothing that makes them look and feel amazing.
How to Wear Pleated Pants as a Petite
1. Go for a Longer Length
It might seem counterintuitive, but making sure your pleated pants have a longer inseam is key to creating a lengthening effect. “Shorter lengths, like ankle cuts, tend to make petites look even shorter and wider,” Foster explains. Instead, she suggests opting for a hem that just grazes the tops of your shoes to create the illusion of longer legs.
2. The Higher the Waist, the Better
Higher-rise styles also work wonders for elongating your frame. “The most flattering cuts will be high-rise—hitting at your natural waist—or high-waist, which can go anywhere from above your waist to just under your ribcage,” says Foster. “Both styles help create the illusion of longer legs.” And I totally agree—my go-to for a leg-lengthening effect is Abercrombie & Fitch’s Sloane Tailored Pants ($90).
3. Keep Proportions in Check
Proportion is everything, but for petites, it’s even more crucial. Wide-leg pleated pants can overwhelm a shorter frame, so balance is key. Foster and I both recommend pairing them with a more fitted or structured top. One foolproof trick? Follow the Rule of Thirds by tucking in a slim-fitting shirt or wearing a cropped top, just like petite style queen Florence Pugh. This keeps the look intentional rather than oversized. “Too much loose fabric can drown petites,” Foster warns, so it’s all about finding the right balance.
4. Go Monochrome
One of my favorite styling hacks for maximizing my height? Dressing in one color from head to toe. It looks effortlessly chic, but more importantly, it creates one continuous line, making you appear taller. This trick is especially useful when wearing voluminous pieces, like pleated trousers, since it helps counteract the extra fabric.
5. Make Sure the Pleats Lay Flat
This is probably the most important tip Foster shared with me, and after a few fashion fails, I totally get why. “If pleats pull apart or pucker, they add unnecessary volume to your midsection,” she explains. This usually happens when the waistband is too tight. Her rule of thumb? “If needed, size up for a more flattering fit.” And if that means adding a belt, so be it—it’s worth it to achieve that effortless, slouchy look that makes pleated trousers so stylish.
So, if you’re petite and hesitant about wide-leg pleated pants, don’t be. With the right fit, styling tricks, and a little confidence, you can absolutely pull them off—no hemming nightmares required.
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