Review: The best Levi’s jeans for petites

Levi’s Black Friday sale just started with 40% off sitewide with free shipping & free returns! I’ve been loving this brand again in recent years for their iconic vintage style denim and flattering back design. After trying several styles, the 2 below are the most petite-friendly Levi’s that I reach for the most. Both have that classic “old school Levi’s” feel, but also feel current and relevant right now.

Sizing note: I got my usual size 24 waist in all the jeans below, and I’m usually a 24 in A&F and a 23/24 in Madewell jeans. For reference I’m about 5′ tall 95lb, 24.5″ waist / 32″ hips. If the Levi’s feel snug at the waist in the beginning, they usually stretch out a little with wear.

1. Levi’s Wedgie Straight Jeans

Fit: TTS and available in 2 inseam options. These are a slim straight, high rise jean that hit ankle length on me in the shortest 26″ inseam. If you’re new to Levi’s jeans, this one in my opinion is their most versatile style that’s the easiest to pair with all kinds of footwear (flats, sneakers, boots, heels…). Also, one of my favorite features of their “Wedgie” line is how lifting the cut is from behind. My pancake rear has never looked so shapely in denim!

As a heads up, different washes for the same Levi’s style jeans may vary in fit, denim thickness, and stretch. I included my exact washes below and others that I’ve tried.

Wedgie Straight Washes I Like

• Space to Think is a medium wash in a medium/thick fabric weight, with a little more stretch than “Unstoppable Wear.” This one was my favorite looks & comfort wise. Pictured above.
• Unstoppable Wear is a slightly darker medium blue, with a more rigid feel. Pictured below.

Here’s how they compare to my other favorite jeans that have a similar slim ankle fit:

• Abercrombie ultra high rise ankle (see on me). These Levi’s jeans in the 26″ inseam fit similar to my A&F high rise ankle jean in “Short.” The Levi’s have a button fly and are made of a thicker weight, more rigid-style denim than the A&F jeans which are thinner. I also find the Levi’s rear view to be more lifting and flattering, though the A&F are fine from the back.
• Madewell perfect vintage jeans (see on me). The Madewell jeans are a little more tapered and narrower at the leg opening compared to the Levi’s. Because of this, the Madewell PVJ don’t always fit as well over an ankle boot. I also need to shorten or cut the hems of my Madewell PVJ, even in their petite sizing.
• If I’m wearing sneakers like my Adidas Sambas with high white ankle socks, I’ll choose the Ribcage straight style below which fully covers up my ankles.

2. Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans

I discovered these unexpectedly through a friend’s teenage daughter, and they’ve quickly become one of my most-worn denim styles this past year!

Fit: TTS and available in 2 inseam options. These feature a super high rise, a relaxed straight cut, and the 27″ inseam length works perfectly on my 5 feet tall frame as a full length jean. As indicated by the style name, the length is intended to be ankle length on taller folks, but it’s just right on me for wearing with flats, sneakers or low heels without dragging on the floor.

Compared to the Wedgie Straight style reviewed above, these have a higher rise, longer length and fit looser from the hips through the legs.

Even though the Ribcage straight is popular with a younger crowd, it feels very wearable for me. I’m also inspired seeing the Ribcage style a lot on French fashionistas closer to me in age, looking chic simply with a classic white tee, a button down shirt, or a pullover sweater.

Ribcage washes I Like

• In the Middle – Light is more of a light medium, and this one is a Tencel blend making it a little more lightweight, thinner and soft than the washes listed below. See it on me above.
• Well Worn is a washed grey in a thicker weight denim. See it on me.
• Jazz Pop is a solid medium blue in a thicker weight denim. See it on me.
• Dark Indigo is a medium / dark blue in a thicker weight denim. This wash has just a faint touch of fading and is a nice option if you’re looking for a deeper blue color.