There’s a certain kind of pant every petite wardrobe needs: one you can wear to a meeting, onto a plane and out to dinner without changing. When the length lands right and the fabric holds its shape, getting dressed gets a whole lot easier.
That’s what this roundup is for. I gathered 10 of the best petite pants for women that skip the denim entirely — polished options for the office, comfortable pairs for long travel days and easy everyday styles that work for both. You’ll find a range of price points, including a budget pick, with the inseam, fabric and shipping details listed for each one, so you have it all right at your fingertips while you shop.
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A Note on Sizing Before You Shop
As always, the label alone won’t tell you everything. Where a retailer didn’t list a length, I’ve marked it “not listed” rather than guess. Fabric content works the same way — if a percentage breakdown isn’t shown here, it’s because the retailer didn’t supply one, not because I left it out.
Before you choose a size, check our Petite Clothing Sizing Guide for tips on measuring yourself and the pants you already own.
A Note About Pricing, Shipping & Returns
For these picks, I use a simple price icon based on the regular/list price in our research: $ = under $50, $$ = $50–$99, $$$ = $100–$149, and $$$$ = $150+. Temporary sale prices are not used to set the icon, because sales and markdowns change. Prices, promotions, shipping terms and return policies can all change after publication, so the figures below reflect what each retailer listed at the time of our research — always confirm current pricing, shipping and return details directly with the retailer before ordering.
Price key: $ under $50 | $$ $50–$99 | $$$ $100–$149 | $$$$ $150+
The Picks
1. Endless High Rise Pant — Athleta
🛍️ Found Online | $$$
Petite sizes: Petite 00–14 | Inseam: 25½” | Rise: High rise | Leg: Straight and barrel | Fabric: 86% recycled polyester, 14% spandex | Colors: 6
The strongest travel pick in this roundup. The fabric resists wrinkles, the waistband is built for comfort, and zip pockets keep your phone and cards secure on the go. You can choose a straight or barrel leg in the same petite inseam.
Shipping & returns: 30 days; free returns by mail. Free shipping on $50+.
2. Affinity Barrel-Leg Pant — J.Jill
🛍️ Found Online | $$
Petite sizes: XSP–XLP | Inseam: 24.5″ | Rise: not listed | Leg: Barrel | Fabric: 57% pima cotton, 38% TENCEL™ Modal, 5% spandex | Colors: Coffee Bean, Navy
A soft knit barrel leg that curves gently and narrows at the ankle, with a pull-on waist for all-day ease. It pairs as easily with a fitted tee for the office as it does with a tunic on the weekend.
Shipping & returns: 60 days; free in-store, $8.95 fee by mail.
3. Modern Fit Slim-Leg Cord — J.Jill
🛍️ Found Online | $$
Petite sizes: Petite 00P–18P | Inseam: 26½” | Rise: Sits just below the waist (per retailer) | Leg: Slim ankle | Fabric: 98% cotton, 2% spandex | Colors: 4
A fine-wale corduroy with a little stretch, and a seasonal swap for your usual chinos. Reviewers say it runs slightly small, so check the size chart before ordering.
Shipping & returns: 60 days; free in-store, $8.95 fee by mail.
4. Sport Knit High Rise Barrel Ankle Pants — Lands’ End
🛍️ Found Online | $$
Petite sizes: Petite XS–XL | Inseam: 25″ | Rise: High rise | Leg: Barrel ankle | Fabric: 100% cotton | Colors: 4
An all-cotton knit with a relaxed barrel shape. It’s the weekend and casual travel pick, with on-seam pockets that keep the line clean.
Shipping & returns: 90 days; free in-store, $6.95 per package by mail.
5. Style & Co Petite Mid-Rise Pull-On Straight-Leg Ponte Pants — Macy’s
🛍️ Found Online | $
Petite sizes: PP–PXL | Inseam: 28″ | Rise: Mid rise | Leg: Straight | Fabric: Rayon, nylon, spandex | Colors: Blue, Black
A budget-friendly ponte that pulls on and looks like a trouser. It has decorative hip pockets in front and patch pockets in back.
Shipping & returns: 30 days; free in-store, free by mail for Star Rewards members ($9.99 otherwise).
6. High-Waisted Pixie Straight Pants — Old Navy
🛍️ Found Online | $
Petite sizes: Petite 00–20 | Inseam: 25″ | Rise: High-waisted | Leg: Straight | Fabric: Varies by color (cotton blends; see listing) | Colors: 8
The widest petite size range here, and one of the budget picks. Fabric changes by color, from cotton-rayon stretch blends to a cotton velvet, so check the listing for the shade you want.
Shipping & returns: 30 days; free returns and exchanges in-store or by mail.
7. Ultra-Stretch Ponte Bootcut Pants – Petite — Quince
🛍️ Found Online | $
Petite sizes: Short XS–XL | Inseam: 28″ | Rise: not listed | Leg: Bootcut | Fabric: 67% rayon, 28% nylon, 5% spandex | Colors: 4
A four-way-stretch ponte that resists wrinkles, which makes it a great budget option for travel. A flat elastic waist and belt loops let it look tailored while it feels like a pull-on. Quince sizes it as “Short” rather than petite.
Shipping & returns: Free shipping; 365-day returns.
8. Ultra-Stretch Ponte Straight-Leg Pant — Quince
🛍️ Found Online | $
Petite sizes: Extra Short XS–XL; Short XS–XL | Inseam: 26″ (Extra Short), 28″ (Short) | Rise: not listed | Leg: Straight | Fabric: 67% rayon, 28% nylon, 5% spandex | Colors: 11
The straight-leg version of the Quince ponte above. It has the comfort of a yoga pant with the look of a classic straight trouser. The four-way stretch fabric resists wrinkles and pilling, and the flat pull-on waist has belt loops and faux pockets for a tailored look. It’s the only pick here with an Extra Short option.
Shipping & returns: Free shipping; 365-day returns.
9. Southampton Tailored Stretch Straight-Leg Pants – Double Windowpane — Talbots
🛍️ Found Online | $$$
Petite sizes: Petite 0–16; Petite Plus 14–22 | Inseam: 27″ | Rise: Mid rise | Leg: Straight trouser | Fabric: 66% polyester, 30% viscose, 4% spandex | Colors: Black/Ivory
The most traditional office trouser here, with a fly front, a hook-and-bar closure, and slash and welt pockets. The black-and-ivory windowpane adds a bit of pattern without feeling loud. It also comes in petite plus sizes. Select Petite on the product page to see petite sizes.
Shipping & returns: 60 days; free in-store, $8.95 fee by mail.
10. Straight-Leg Pull-On Pants – Pickstitch Pinstripe — Talbots
🛍️ Found Online | $$$$
Petite sizes: Petite P–XL; Petite Plus X–3X | Inseam: 27″ | Rise: not listed | Leg: Straight | Fabric: 68% polyester, 28% viscose, 4% spandex; fully lined | Colors: Grey, Brown Multi
A pinstripe that looks like suiting but pulls on, with a lining and slash front pockets. It’s the splurge pick for the office. Note that it’s dry clean only.
Shipping & returns: 60 days; free in-store, $8.95 fee by mail.
A Few Things to Check Before Ordering
Inseam — petite inseams here run from 24.5″ to 28″, so compare each one to a pair you already own and like the length of.
Waistband — most of these pull on, while the Talbots Southampton has a fly front with a hook-and-bar. If you’re between sizes, that difference matters.
Fabric — for travel, the Athleta and both Quince pants are listed as wrinkle resistant. The Talbots Pinstripe is dry clean only, so keep it for the office rather than the suitcase.
Petite labeling — Quince uses “Short” and “Extra Short” sizes rather than petite. The bootcut comes in Short only, while the straight leg adds an Extra Short with a 26″ inseam.
Shipping and returns — windows range from 30 days (Athleta, Macy’s, Old Navy) to 365 days (Quince). If you’re ordering two sizes, start with the longer windows.
The Bottom Line
From a pinstripe pull-on for the office to a wrinkle-resistant pant for long travel days, these 10 picks cover a lot of ground without a single pair of denim. There’s a budget option, a splurge, and plenty in between. Find the length and fabric that suit your week, and you’ll have a pair you reach for again and again. And when you’re ready for denim, our Petite Jeans for Fall: 10 Pairs to Try roundup picks up right where this one leaves off.
