Appropriately fitting clothes are especially important in the workplace and professional environments. But, this can be especially difficult to achieve if you have a petite figure. Oftentimes regular-sized dress pants are too long, baggy, and swallow a petite figure. Regular-sized pants usually require alterations to fit a petite frame, and this can be both time-consuming and expensive.
There are few stores that carry petite-friendly work pants, and those that do, usually have a limited selection. Fortunately though, with a little effort and research, I discovered a handful of work pants designed to flatter petite figures, so you can feel confident and look your best at work. Below I share some of my favorite work-appropriate dress pants for petites.
Ann Taylor: The Petite High Waist Ankle Pant
Size: 0P
Color: Black
Ann Taylor is my go-to store for finding petite work pants- and petite clothes in general. They offer a wide range of trendy styles, fabrics, and colors, and they add new petite styles frequently. While their pants can be on the pricey side, they have sales often.
The Ann Taylor Petite High Waist Ankle Pants are available in Petite Regular and Petite Curvy to suit your specific body type. Sizes range from 00-16. These pants are available in several different colors and prints. I personally have these pants in both black and navy.
Features:
- High-waisted (11 1/8″ front rise)
- Ankle-length (25″ inseam)
- Front zip with hook-and-bar closure
- Front off-seam pockets
- Back besom pockets
- Fabric: 82% Cotton, 18% Hemp
- Machine Washable
Ann Taylor: The Petite Slim Pant
The Ann Taylor Petite Slim Pant is available in Petite Regular and Petite Curvy. Sizes range from 00-16. These pants are one of Ann Taylor’s best sellers- probably because slim and cropped styles are really flattering on petite body types, so it’s hard to go wrong with these pants.
Features:
- Slim fit
- High-waisted (11 7/8″ front rise)
- Slightly cropped (25″ inseam)
- Front zip with double hook-and-bar closure
- Available in: Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Neutral, and Red
- Fabric: 85% Polyester, 11% Rayon, 4% Spandex
- Machine Washable
Ann Taylor: The Petite Audrey Pant in Bi-Stretch
The Ann Taylor Audrey Pant fits like a legging and is made with form-fitting, stretch fabric. Also available in black. They’re really comfortable, but also provide structure, have a quality feel, and a more polished look making them a great option for the workplace. It can be tough to pair work pants with boots, but these skinny pants fit easily in ankle boots during the colder months.
Features:
- Skinny fit with medium stretch
- High, elasticized waistline
- Full-length (27″ inseam)
- Front zip with double hook-and-bar closure
- Hidden zippers at inseam hem
- Available in: Black, Brown, and Red
- Fabric: 64% Polyester, 31% Viscose, 5% Elastane
- Machine Washable
J Crew: Petite High-Rise Cameron Pant in Four-Season Stretch
As the name suggests, the J. Crew Petite High-Rise Cameron Pant in Four-Season Stretch is a great pant to wear year-round. They’re made with fabric that allows you to be comfortable in them in warm and cold weather. These pants are also available in various colors including: black, navy, saddle/tan, and graphite. These pants are a great wardrobe staple.
Features:
- Slim-fit
- High-waisted, 11″ rise (regular rise also available)
- Cropped leg (24 1/4″ inseam)
- Back seam
- Available in: Black, Navy, Graphite
- Fabric: Poly/viscose/elastane
- Machine Washable
Also Available in Slim Crop Italian Stretch Wool
Seventy Black Work Trousers
Size: IT 38
Shoes: Sam Edelman Women’s Hazel Pumps (in Soft Beige)
The Seventy Black Work Trousers are simply a pair of classic pants that can be worn to work– a closet staple that every working woman needs. These can be worn year-round and go with almost anything, which make it much easier to style your outfit.
Features:
- Straight cut
- Fabric: Black crepe (88% polyester, 12% elastane)
- Back pockets
- 37″ from waist to hemline
Veronica Beard Gemini Printed Pants
I never thought I’d ever actually like, let alone love, a pair of work pants, until I discovered the Veronica Beard Gemini Printed Pants. These pants are extremely flattering, comfortable, and have just the right amount of flare. Though they aren’t available in petites, they are ankle-length and very petite-friendly. I’ve received compliments on these pants every single time I’ve worn them.
Features:
- Black and white gingham print
- High-waisted, 11″ rise
- Ankle-length, 27″ inseam
- Fabric: 100% cotton
- Side pockets
Getting dressed for work every morning can be dreadful, especially since work pants are often unflattering, uncomfortable, and lack style and flare. If you’re petite, it can also be tough to find work pants that fit well, which can make them even more uncomfortable. Having a handful of well-fitting, stylish pants in your closet can make getting dressed for work a much less negative experience. Hopefully the above mentioned petite-friendly work pants work out for you as well as they have for me and help complete your petite workwear wardrobe.
For more petite finds, check out my post on where to shop for petite clothes.