Finding trousers to suit petite frames is an everyday struggle for those of us 5ft4 and under.
And, when the warmer weather finally arrives, that burden is by no means lessened.
You see, we have the same problem when it comes to flashing our pins in line with elevated temperatures and switching to shorts.
The issue is that they have a way of dwarfing us, harking back to the ¾ length capri pants from the 90s that we pray will not make a comeback.
Instead, it is important to look for specifically petite-labelled shorts to ensure they are both well-fitting and good-looking. These short inseams and cuts mean that we can skip the tailor once and for all.
This has become all the more pressing this season as traditional short shorts that have dominated summer apparel have been replaced with stretched-out lengths. Divisive it may be, but the style set is ditching the cutoffs in favour of long shorts, elegantly styled with an oversized white shirt, strappy sandals or even kitten heels. They come in denim, linen and tailored but crucially, they must finish just above the knee.
Elsewhere, boxer shorts have made their way out of the underwear drawer and are now ubiquitous on the streets of London and there is much to be said for the borrowed-from-the-boys aesthetic, particularly in the comfort department.
You can also always rely on activewear and cycling shorts to take you from the gym to the festival field. Look out for shorter lengths for a leg-lengthening effect.
Shop the best shorts for petite women below
Stradivarius Petite denim dad short in medium blue
Fill your warm weather arsenal with a classic pair of denim shorts, cut just right for those with a shorter frame. In line with this season’s biggest jean trend, they are longer than the once-dominating short shorts, giving greater coverage and thus comfort.
Buy now £25.99, ASOS
NA-KD Striped Elastic Waist Cotton Shorts
Boxer shorts as outerwear is a borrowed-from-the-boys trend that has been popularised by the style set. The once-underwear staple has been revamped for the day and you can never go wrong with a traditional pinstripe version in a blue and white colourway.
Buy now £39.95, NA-KD
Lululemon Wunder Train High-Rise Short 4"
Working out in summer needs the breathable cycling shorts to suit and this 4-inch iteration from the activewear experts at Lululemon will have petite frames covered. They come in a range of colours including this soft powder blue so we won’t blame you if they become a regular feature when exercising isn’t on the cards.
Buy now, Lululemon
Whistles Petite Authentic Denim Shorts, Blue
As shown by the styling in the picture, these longer denim shorts can be dressed up when paired with a white shirt (the more oversized, the better). Cinch it together with a belt and you may even be able to wear the look to the office. Heatwave, eat your heart out.
Buy now £69.00, John Lewis
Sports & Rich Wellness Sweat Shorts
Vintage-inspired workout wear is what has given Sporty & Rich its ubiquity among the style-savvy on your Instagram feed. The brand is made for smaller statures even without a designated petite range due to the old-school short-short nature of the silhouette.
Buy now £55.00, Flannels
Stradivarius Petite linen look short in ecru
These shorts are summer in sartorial form. From the ecru colourway to the linen material, they will form a stalwart in your warm-weather wardrobe for years to come. The shorts are available in sizes 4 to 16.
Buy now £19.99, ASOS
ASOS DESIGN Petite dad short with linen in olive
With a slightly longer length, this piece that comes from ASOS’ Design collection adheres to the latest in shorts trend but instead of denim, they have a lightweight and breathable linen construction. The petite dad shorts come in three earth and neutral-toned colourways - black, natural and olive.
Buy now £21.99, ASOS
New Look Petite Black Jersey Wrap Skort
Dressing for the office when the mercury rises is no easy task. Reduce that morning stress by infusing your wardrobe with tactical items like this skort. While it may look like a smart skirt from the exterior, it is constructed with secret shorts that make it more Tube-friendly.
Buy now £20.00, New Look
ASOS DESIGN Petite crochet shorts in blue stripe
Crochet is another fabric that imbues summer connotations and the material has been given a nautical feel with blue and white stripes. The short shorts have a flattering scalloped trim and can be paired with the coordinating top to wear at festivals and beyond.
Buy now £26.00, ASOS
ASOS DESIGN Petite flippy short in red floral print
White flowers are set on a vibrant red backdrop with these playful flippy shorts that will have you booking your next doubt-digit temperature break. This piece, paired with a white tank, will form the foundation of your summer outfit rotation.
Buy now £14.00, ASOS
New Look Petite Light Brown Linen Blend Tailored Shorts
Bringing the linen short into the realms of the 9 to 5, look to these tailored iterations from New Look. The slightly longer length makes them modest enough to take from boardroom to bar, especially when paired with darker colours or suiting.
Buy now £23.99, New Look
