The BEST Affordable Petite-Friendly Work & Casual Pants

Nov. 27, 2024 / fashion+ fashion+ reviews

As a petite woman (I’m 5ft or 152cm!), finding pants that fit doesn’t come easily. Unlike jeans with various inseam lengths, pants typically come in one length, and many petite women need to spend additional money to get them tailored.

Not to mention, finding good quality pants is also hard to come by! Nobody wants pants that disintegrate after 1 wash or are so thin, your panty lines show. Additionally, I like to maximize my wardrobe when possible so I like to get pants that I can wear from the office and into the weekend. It’s nice to be able to dress them up or down depending on the occasion to save money and wardrobe space.

If you’re like me, dropping $150-$200 on one pair of pants seems too much, despite how everyone raves about them. Maybe, dropping a couple of hundred dollars on one pair of pants isn’t too bad, but if you multiply that by 3 or 4 pants, it’s getting up there!

After spending months trying on various pants, I finally found one that checks all my boxes! It’s been so reliable that I can confidently buy whatever colour this brand releases without hesitation.

What do I look for when shopping for a pair of pants?

Affordability – As mentioned above, I don’t want to spend hundreds on a single pair of pants! My budget for a good pair of pants is typically around $50-80.
Straight legs – Don’t hate me, but I don’t think wide-leg pants look good on petite ladies, especially if they’re not wearing heels. I find straight legs to be the most flattering and versatile with shoes. Alternatively, I’m ok with skinny legs but I try to avoid them since skinny pants can sometimes appear unprofessional in a workplace.
Petite-friendly – As I said, I don’t want to spend more money to get them tailored if I don’t have to!
Waist height – High-waisted looks best on petite ladies since it elongates the legs.
Style – I’m looking for the perfect balance between professional and casual so I can wear it to the office or on the weekend.
Quality – Lastly, the pair of pants should last several washes, and not rip apart if I need to squat. Also, it shouldn’t be so thin that I freeze in the winter!

Am I looking for too much? Perhaps. But, one brand has managed to meet them all.

Old Navy.

Specifically, Old Navy’s Extra High-Waisted Taylor Trouser Straight Pants.

I purchased 4 basic colours when they were on sale for $35/pair and fell in love with them instantly. My stop for the perfect pair of pants was finally over!

Not only are they super affordable when on sale (and stacked with discount codes), but the quality is amazing. I have a few pairs of Shein pants that are thin enough for my seamless panty lines to show, even when I opt for thongs. These Old Navy Taylor pants are comfy and thick enough that none of my lines show, but not thick enough to sweat in them in the summer, making them perfect year-round.

My work has weekly 15-minute HIIT or dance classes, and sometimes I forget to wear my active joggers but these Taylor pants are stretchy enough (they come with a stretchy band at the back) to do squats and high-knees in them without fear that they’ll rip. Since I’m sweating in these pants, you can imagine how often I throw them into the wash and dryer and love that they survive both cycles.

I feel the style of these pants is also the perfect blend between the office and the weekend. It’s not too posh, but not too casual. I snagged all the capsule colours (beige, cream/white, black, navy), and the seasonal burgundy colour.

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Burgundy colour.

For those who are a fan of wide-legs, Old Navy also made the Taylor pants in wide-leg! I think the Taylor pants are great without breaking the bank. I recommend grabbing them in all the capsule (basic) colours, and keeping an eye out for their seasonal colours. Since I wear a lot of basic colours, I’m content with keeping my cheap Shein pants in the odd colours to switch up my wardrobe now and then.

*This review is not sponsored by Old Navy. All opinions are mine.