Shopping trips, no matter the goal, inevitably turn into another leg of my neverending quest for the perfect pair of jeans.
My biggest denim issue has always been length – it seems like every pair is made for the Elle McPhersons of the world, while I hover just above the 5’0″ mark. Oh, just get them hemmed, you say? Well, that wouldn’t be such a pain if it didn’t:
1. Automatically add $25 to the pair of already way-too-expensive pants.
2. Put my purchase at risk of butchery (I once had a pair of very expensive jeans ruined by someone who took them up just 1 inch too high – yes, that’s all it takes.)
3. Make me feel like life is so incredibly unfair for all the short people, unless you’re an Olsen.
But after an unusually successful department store trip this past MLK day, consider me satisfied (at least for now.)
I finally got around to trying out the petite line from Paige Jeans (owned by Fred Kayne, father to Jenni), and I have to say, they’re amazing. Not only are they subtly flattering (which is really all we want from jeans), but the second I slid them on – and could feel only the floor beneath my feet – I knew I was going to walk out of a store with wear-ready jeans for the first time ever.
Now if I could only convince shoe designers that 5.5 is a worthwhile size to include in their normal lines, I’d be all set.
Tags: denim, Jeans, Paige Denim
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i feel ya girl, 100%.
i’m 4’11, size 5 shoe.
i remember trying an ankle length j.brand that actually was the perfect length for me.
it kinda sucks, but i’ve actually gotten some good size 5s (dior, ysl) for cheap! because no one has that tiny of a foot!
But with tiny feet you can clean out at the end of season sales at Barneys and Bergdorf!
Ahh i know how you feel! I’m almost 4’11″ and have size 4.5-5 feet. At least you fit the petite length. I go into try on jeans in the short length and the sales lady tells me, “we have those jeans come in short if you want me to get a pair for you.” Hah, I am wearing the short!
does suck for us short girls…but if it’s any consolation, my friend who is 5’10 has the WORST time finding pants that are long enough. Guess you have to be like 5’6 for anything to fit
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I feel your pain for sure…
but I am not 5’0″
The same problems can be found for those 5’10″ or taller with a size 11 shoe (me).
Basically, if you’re not average or sample size (the most unaverage), buying clothes that fit perfectly is more like hunting for snipes.
I have to recommend though, that those with a small stature can benefit Greatly from vintage shops. Come to Portland, OR, we have quite a few. :)
I just looked on their site and I’m a bit saddened. The length of the inseam for the petite is 31, and I usually hem my jeans to 31.75. Dangit, guess I’ve gotta keep putting my denim in the hands of the butcher… (btw, I had the exact same thing happen to a pair of citizens, I rolled them up and wore them as capris, but I was still beyond pissed about it.)
At the risk of sounding so condescending, 5’0 and a size 5 shoe — you are a tiny little woman!!! I am 5’4 (with my chin up) and it’s good to hear the Paige petite line worked for you. I’ll definitely try it. Oprah mag gave it a shoutout this month, so that’s two endorsements.
Neiman Marcus hems up your jeans for free, but then you have to trust that the seamstresses will get it perfectly right. Also, hemming messes up the overall fit sometimes, especially if you’re looking for flares or wide-leg jeans. So unfair!
I prefer to think of myself as Olsen-sized.
Natalie, I am also Olsen- (and Nicole Richie, Christina Ricci, Ellen Page, Rachel Bilson, and Kristen Bell-)sized! Where did you find the petite Paige’s? I tried on the petite line from Joe’s and did not find them flattering at all on me. BTW, if you’re in LA Ron Herman also hems for free.
I totally sympathize, at 6’2″ barely any jeans are long enough for me ):
i can’t find a good pair of jeans to save my life!!!
my mom wont spend more than $100 on jeans and i am a broke 16 who is 6’0 and like a size 4 sooo.. i am forced to buy from the only two places i know that offer a 37 inch inseam, dealia’s and alloy ewww!! By the end of the day the jeans are always stretchy and saggy in the ass :( PLEASE fashionista help us short and tall people!!!
btw i can barely find a good pair of tights long enough for me ohh life would be nice and merry if i only had some money!
Yay!!!! its so great to finally found a pair of jeans that fits. My problem with pants/jeans is that the short/petite is a bit too short for me, and reg length is too long. Bleh.
ooh i guess i am blessed to be 5’6”, but still growing so who knows! but compared to other people i have huuge feet (size 9.5). It’s frustrating when shoe brands don’t carry half sizes for shoes over size 9 but during sales and such size 9.5 feet sure do come in handy.
Hallelujah! I’ve been wanting to try Paige denim, but because the regular styles look to tall on the rack for me (I am barely over 5’1″) I had to pass them by for the usual suspects.
Now that I know they are available for the tiny crew, I shall purchase.
you know this is the same for us tall girls too. I’m 5,11 but i never find a pair of jeans can a) be closed without my hipfat to roll out on each side or b) they make them for such big tummys.
and shoesize wise im 42/43 european sizes. dont know what that is in america but my feet are pretty huge and i can never seem 2 find a pair that dont make me look like an ostrich/elephant. plus in heels im so much taller than my guy friends and am still not used to it. makes me feel realy uncomfy instead of confident.
Im 5’0 and size 5/5.5 also known as petite- Girls- RUN to barneys before they clear out i got the most killer shoes last night!
Since I can’t find denim in the length I desire, I just don’t wear jeans. It’s hard enough finding a pair that fits, let alone finding a pair that is the right inseam, the right wash, and so on and so forth. So I just gave up and there is not a pair of pants in my wardrobe.
HELL YES! I know exactly what you are talking about! Finding high heels in size 5.5 is like spotting a unicorn. Thanks to the guest about the barney’s tip and thanks you natalie for the tip off about j. brand jeans!
Samantha, that makes me sad. :( You really should try paige, I own three of their jeans and love them. Don’t give up!
“Guess you have to be like 5’6 for anything to fit” heh, not always. im 5’6 and whenever i try on any pair of jeans i like (ESPECIALLY from Zara) they are about a foot too long. and even when i do find good jeans (which hasnt happened in 3 years) i still have problems finding shoes for my size 9.5-10 feet…sigh
Even though I have to get jeans hemmed to fit with flats, I like that I have the option of buying with the intent to wear them with heels. I couldn’t do that the other way around – they’d be way too short!
bananahana, you’re right about the frustration of being a 9.5. i’m tired of emailing online stores to ask if their 10s run small.
also, i hate finding jeans because i’m 5’10 with normal legs and a tiny waist.
Can’t help the tall people, but Uniqlo has great jeans that are 40-60 dollars. They’re classic, cute, and flattering in a couple styles. You can buy them online- but for people our height (5 1) they’re hemmed. For free.
Well, I’m barely 5’2″ but I’m built strange. I have absurdly long legs for a short girl and wear a size 6.5/7 shoe. So regular length is too short and longs are too long. I found my solution at a Gap company outlet store where they send there irregular stuff. It’s heaven for odd shaped girls! Plus you can often get size 0-4 jeans for $1.99. I can now stop complaining.
I had the same problem with jeans for the longest time since I too am just barely 5’0 (on a good day…with good posture). But Siwy’s hannah slim crops (skinny jeans) are perfection. The inseam is either 28/29 and the bottom leg holes are 11″. I have a pair in every color!
Paige is great (though a little long for petite…I have to wear heels, and I usually don’t need heels for petite jeans…dress pants are another matter. So many dress pants are severely vanity sized! Size 0P is really a 2P!) I also have a pair of 7s that are approximately 29 1/2″ or 30″. Christa Jean over at petitefashionista.com recommends Joe’s (Provocateurs)
You would be able to find size 5.5 shoes. Stuart Weitzman has size 5.5 in pretty much ALL his lines, and most start at a 4 or 4.5. MICHAEL Michael Kors has size 5s as well. However, good luck finding these sizes on sale (another place to try for smaller shoes: ASIAN MALLS! They’re usually found in suburbs that have a significant Asian population. In Toronto, many smaller women go to Pacific Mall (www.pacificmalltoronto.com)
To “Jan 23, 2008 4:06PM” guest, you should try j crew matchstick jeans in tall inseam. They are usually on sale when I’m in there.
Also, you ladies should LEARN TO SEW! I can remove the cuff the manufacturer has made and re- attach it after cutting a designated length of jean off. The trick is that you reattach directly on the hem seam that they made.
Also for tall girls w/ less $$: Gap has tall inseams now too.
I am 5.5″ tall and I do consider myself short because most jeans are made for people shorter than me. I have monkey arms and long giraffe legs and clothes never go all the way down.
I have had tailors mess up my clothes when tightening up my jeans.
try this measurements 32B-22-32 I mean its not exactly normal.l
Hi!
Have you considered wearing petite tops and pants for taller people?
I am 5’0 myself, also a 5.5 shoe. I got a pair of Joe’s Provocateurs, but find that they are really stretchy. I have to buy a pair that is almost a little too tight, knowing they would be just fine in a wear or two. I also still had to get them hemmed up, and I have a long inseam for a shorty.
Take a look at Honeyshed.com for recommendations on jeans for all types of bodies. I found my latest jbrands there and they’re a-mazing. (Had to get them tailored cause I’m a shorty too)