Not all pant styles are created equal. Especially when it comes to finding the best pant styles for petite plus size. I’m happy to be your guide to help you find the perfect fit for your body!
Pants used to be the bane of my petite plus-size existence. When I was coming of age, the skinniest skinny jeans with the lowest rise were the most popular style.
When you have thick thighs, muscular calves, and a belly, girl you know this is a recipe for disaster! But, I found ways to wear these trending pants for a while.
That mostly looked like me wearing longer undershirts so I could pull it down over my butt when I sat down. Trying to keep my crack from bursting out of the low-rise pants I had no business trying to wear! Being a teenager is hard y’all.
You live and you learn though. Once I finally realized that there are actually other pant styles out there in the world, I found ways to balance style with my body size.
I was able to wear pants that actually fit, made me feel comfortable, and still put together a great outfit, who knew? Now, I want to help you find the best pant styles for your body too!
In this article I’m going to break down the Best Pant Styles for Petite Plus Size:
I’ll also help answer what petite plus means in pants, a few things to consider when buying petite plus pants, what an inseam is and the different types of pant rises to choose from.
This article is dedicated to the best pant styles for petite plus-size women.
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Best Pant Styles for Petite Plus Size
1. Straight Leg, Slim Fit Pants
Let’s jump in with the best go-to pant style for petite plus size: slim fit, straight leg pants. Not to be confused with the skin-tight skinny jean I mentioned earlier.
The difference between skinny pants and slim straight-leg pants is how tight they fit your body. Skinny pants were popular for too many years but luckily, they aren’t as much anymore.
They are unforgiving for anyone with a larger body because of how tightly they fit your waist, hips, and thighs.
Whereas straight-leg pants with a slim fit will actually give you a more flattering look overall.
This is because straight-leg pants will help to elongate your leg by creating a seamless straight line from your waist to your feet.
When you do this, you are not highlighting thicker legs, wider hips, or muscular calves. You create a streamlined and defined silhouette which is so much better than the suffocating skinny jeans look.
I think you might also like: The Best Jacket Styles for Petite Plus
2. High Waisted Pants
Next on the list, and my personal favorite type of petite plus pants, are high-waisted pants.
High-waisted pants are a great option when you are petite plus size because they will cinch you at your natural waistline. Giving you a defined waist while also making your legs appear longer by visually extending your torso.
You can definitely wear high-waisted pants that are too high though. This happens when a pair of pants literally sit under your bustline, that would be too high for you.
This typically happens when shopping in the plus size section where most clothes are made for bigger bodies that are at least 5’6 or taller. When looking for high-waisted pants to fit your petite plus frame, look for a pant that will hit you at your belly button or 1 to 2 inches above it.
3. Fitted Boyfriend Jeans
Boyfriend jeans have been popular for the last couple of years.
I think this is because they have a casual and comfy feel to them but can also create a chic outfit moment.
When you are petite and plus size, the best type of boyfriend jeans are going to be those with a straight or fitted leg.
If you choose a style that is too baggy, it will inevitably make you appear shorter and larger.
I get that the idea is that you are wearing your boyfriend’s jeans, but you don’t want to look like your body is hidden behind layers of fabric either.
The best way to flatter your figure is to embrace it and wear clothes that do the same.
Check out my Guide on the 10 Style Mistakes that are Making you Look Shorter and What to Wear Instead
4. Wide Leg Pants
You may have heard in the past, that the only people who can pull off wide-leg pants are those who are super tall and super skinny.
I’m here to tell you, that is a fashion myth.
Wide-leg pants are a great option when you are petite plus size. This is because the wide width helps to highlight your curves in a proportional way.
When you wear pants with a wider leg, you will actually appear taller.
This is because the shape of the pant creates a gradual fullness starting from your waist and ending at your feet.
This draws the eye downward, instead of focusing on just one area of your body.
I do have a few style tips for how to wear wide-leg pants. When you wear wide-leg pants, don’t go too wide, as this can overwhelm your body and have the reverse effect.
Think exaggerated bell bottoms, that would be too wide.
Also, pair a simpler more fitted top or blouse when wearing this style. That way your waistline will be defined and you don’t have too much volume happening at the top and bottom of your body.
5. Cropped Cargos
Cargo pants may not be your everyday pant that comes to mind, or maybe it is if you’re super casual. But, they do come in handy especially when traveling or doing outdoor activities. All those pockets can be helpful.
The same rules apply for cargo pants as the above styles. Choose a slim fit, because baggy is not your friend.
You also want to choose a cropped inseam to avoid wearing cargo pants that are too long. A good length for your petite plus cargo pants would be one that stops at your ankles or just an inch or two below them.
Now for pockets, stay away from any styles that have really large cargo pockets or wide-width pocket flaps. This will overwhelm your frame and add visual weight to your legs.
6. Fitted Joggers
Speaking of super casual pant styles, let’s talk about the final petite plus pant style on our list: Fitted Joggers.
I couldn’t leave out these ultra-comfy pants because lets be real, most of us are probably lounging around in joggers more often than wide-leg pants.
So, when you are petite plus size and want to wear joggers, look for a slim or fitted style.
I probably sound like a broken record, but you don’t want to choose anything too tight but also don’t want a really baggy style either.
Unless these are joggers that you will never leave the house in.
In that case, wear what you want boo.
If you are looking for joggers with added details, choose any style that has vertical accents or smaller prints. So this could be a vertical stripe along the side of the legs or joggers with a smaller scale pattern.
When you choose these simpler details for your pants, they will not camouflage your shape but will add to your overall look.
Related: How to Look Polished when Short & Curvy (with easy outfit ideas)
What does Petite Plus mean in Pants?
When we talk about being petite plus size, that means you are 5’4 or shorter and wear plus sizes, which are typically a size 12 or 14 and above.
You might like this article I wrote about what it means to be petite plus size. Petite plus-size women are the most underserved market in the fashion industry.
When it comes to petite plus size pants, this means pants with a shorter inseam but also made to fit a plus size body with wider hips and larger thighs.
I will say that finding petite pants that are available in plus sizes can be tough.
One brand that is currently offering petite plus-size pants is Lane Bryant. They typically have more office-type clothes, so you can check them out for your work pant needs.
Things to Consider when Buying Petite Plus Pants
The Difference Between Short and Petite Pants
Short inseam pants are made for standard body proportions and not necessarily petite frames. A short inseam is usually around 28 inches.
Whereas petite pants are made for a short and narrow body type. Petite inseams usually start around 26 inches.
As you can see, if you are both petite and plus size, there isn’t a clear answer to this question. I’m 5’2 and a size 16 and find that petite pants are sometimes too short and always too tight for me.
I have to choose plus size pants with a shorter inseam. 29 to 30-inch inseams work best for me.
Finding Your Inseam
When shopping for pants, it’s important to know what your inseam is. The inseam is the length of the inside seam on a pair of pants.
It is the measurement from the crotch to your inner ankle, this is why it’s called an inseam.
You can find your own inseam by taking a pair of pants that have a fit you love and folding them in half to measure the inseam. Or you can ask a friend to help you measure on your body.
For this method, you’ll need a flexible tape measure which should start from the inside of your thigh, at your crotch, and measure down to your ankle.
I would add at least 1 inch to this measurement for the most comfortable inseam fit.
Read about the Best Petite Plus Size Fashion Staples you Need in your Wardrobe.
Types of Pant Rise (and Which Ones to Avoid for Petite Plus Size)
The rise of a pant is the measurement from the waistline to the crotch of a pair of pants.
High Rise: Your Best Friend
A high-rise pant has a longer rise length and the waist will typically stop at your belly button or a few inches above it. High-rise pant is another term for high-waisted pants, which we discussed earlier.
Pants with a higher rise are a good option for petite plus size because the longer rise will be more flattering and comfortable for a larger stomach area.
Mid Rise: An Easy Choice
Mid-rise pants have a rise length that sits below your belly button but above your hips. This would be the waistline that most women are used to wearing, but it is different from your natural waistline.
Mid-rise pants can work for petite plus size, as long as the pants aren’t too tight. When you are wearing super skinny jeans and they are mid-rise, they will continuously be pulled down as you move.
This is because the rise isn’t long enough to accommodate your curves and a skintight fit. Take it from me, when you want to wear a mid-rise pant, choose a straight-leg fit.
Low Rise: Not your Friend, Stay Away
Low-rise pants have the shortest rise of the three. These pants are designed to sit on or below your hips.
This rise is the least flattering for petite plus size because when you wear pants that sit on or below your hips and you have a fuller tummy area, this will create the dreaded muffin-top look.
And if you have a larger butt, a low-rise pant will not be able to provide the most flattering coverage. AKA, this is when that plumber look will happen, no thanks.
Low-rise pants work best for body types with longer torsos and slimmer hips, which usually do not include petite plus-size bodies.
Related: Wear these Shorts If you have Thick Thighs that Save Lives
A Few more Petite Plus Pant Style Tips
- Choose a nude color pant that matches your skin tone to give an elongated visual illusion to your overall frame.
- Pants with vertical details or patterns are always a great choice. Vertical details to consider are Tuxedo striping on the sideseam, a split hem, or vertical striped patterns.
- Avoid awkwardly cropped pant styles like capris or Bermuda shorts, these will make you look shorter.
- Choose a fun pattern with a smaller scale. When you choose a daintier pattern, it won’t overwhelm or camouflage your shape.
This is your comprehensive guide to the best pant styles for petite plus size.
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