Petite trousers for autumn and winter 2026: 18 gorgeous styles to shop
Chocolate velvet for dinner, sweeping satin for a special occasion, cream trousers that look gorgeous beneath your favourite coat: there is so much to get excited about in this season’s petite trouser edit. We want the pairs that make getting dressed a pleasure — comfortable enough for a busy day, chic enough for an impromptu lunch, and special enough to plan an evening around.
We have brought together 18 styles from a number of our favourite petite brands, with dedicated petite proportions and shorter-length options to help you find your fit. Expect comfortable elevated staples for chic everyday outfits, beautifully textured cords and standout party trousers. These are pieces to enjoy with the clothes you already love, whether you live in loafers or cannot resist a gorgeous pair of heels.
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Eight trousers we’re excited to wear
Gorgeous cord, rich velvet and everyday favourites. Start with these eight, then explore the full edit for fit details and outfit ideas.
Petite Marjorie side-stripe ponte trousers
£109
Side-stripe ponte for elevated casual outfits
Asphodel cropped wide cord trousers
£65
Cropped cord in a choice of colours
Safie palazzo sateen trousers
£179
Chocolate palazzo trousers with a subtle sheen
Premium jersey seam-detail wide-leg trousers
£32
Ecru jersey for polished everyday dressing
Comfortable elevated staples for chic everyday outfits
1. Petite Marjorie side-stripe ponte trousers
£109
The red and taupe stripes give these black trousers a sporty edge, but just look at how chic they are with heels in the photograph. That is what we love about this pair: you can dress them up with a blouse and heels for lunch or dinner, then wear them with a simple T-shirt, trainers and a jacket at the weekend. The elasticated waist adds the comfort we want from an elevated everyday staple.
Sizes and lengths: Petite UK 6-18.
Fit details: 72.5cm petite inside leg. Elasticated waist and side pockets.
2. Wide-leg ponte stretch trousers
£25
The rich wine colour is a really easy way to introduce colour without making an outfit feel difficult to put together. This £25 pair would look lovely with grey, cream, navy or black, and the stretch makes it an appealing everyday choice. Try a cream blouse and ankle boots, then finish with a tailored coat for a chic outfit you can wear to work or out for lunch.
Sizes and lengths: Petite UK 8-18.
Fit details: Approximately 69cm inside leg. Full-length wide leg and elasticated waist.
3. Premium jersey seam-detail wide-leg trousers
£32
Ecru trousers look gorgeous with a camel coat, a grey jumper or rich chocolate brown. This £32 jersey pair has a lovely drape and front seam detail that make it an easy choice when you want to look chic and feel comfortable. Wear it with a soft jumper for daytime, or an elegant dark fitted top and heels for an evening out.
Sizes and lengths: UK 6-24; extra short, short/petite and regular.
Fit details: Pull-on, high-waisted wide leg with front seam detail.
4. Asphodel cropped wide cord trousers
£65
Asphodel is already a favourite with our readers, and these two colours show why. Maritime is a dark navy that is easy to wear with stripes, shirts and boots; Rose Bay is a lovely light pink for brightening up autumn and winter outfits. Both are £65. The cropped wide leg looks great with a close-fitting ankle boot, while organic-cotton cord adds the texture we love at this time of year.
Sizes and lengths: Petite UK 8-20; regular 8-28.
Fit and fabric: Organic-cotton cord. Cropped wide leg, sitting just below the natural waist, with a button-and-zip fastening, belt loops and side pockets.
5. Sholl cord tapered joggers
£69.95
If comfort is high on your list, start here. Sholl brings the ease of a jogger to organic-cotton corduroy, with an adjustable waist and a gently tapered shape. We would wear these with a striped top, trainers and a quilted jacket for coffee dates and weekend plans. They are a lovely option when you want the texture of cord without a fixed waistband.
Sizes and lengths: Petite UK 8-16; regular 8-28.
Fit and fabric: 100% organic cotton main fabric and pocket lining. Pull-on design sitting at the natural waist, with an elasticated waistband, adjustable drawcord, gently tapered cropped leg and pockets.
6. Ashby organic-cotton barrel trousers
£48 in the sale
Lucy & Yak brings some of the most joyful colour and print to this edit. We love the teal with a simple white shirt, and Pink Palace floral for days when you want your trousers to be the star of the outfit. The relaxed fit over the hips and elasticated waist make the comfort appeal clear, while 100% organic cotton heavyweight twill is a lovely fabric detail. At £48 in the sale, these are a tempting way to try something different.
Sizes and lengths: Petite UK 6–30.
Fit and fabric: 100% organic cotton heavyweight twill. Elasticated waistband, front pleats, relaxed fit over the hips and deep pockets.
7. Pure cotton barrel-leg trousers
£40
If you want to freshen up your autumn wardrobe, this sandstone pair is a lovely place to start. The curved barrel leg gives a simple outfit a more fashion-forward feel, and the light neutral would look gorgeous with chocolate, navy or burgundy. Try a tucked-in shirt and loafers, or a fitted top and cropped jacket so you can see the shape of the trousers.
Sizes and lengths: UK 6-24; extra short, short/petite and regular.
Fit and fabric: 100% cotton, with a high rise, side pleat detailing and hook-and-zip fastening.
8. Brushed-check wide-leg trousers
£29.99
These burgundy checks are such a lovely way to bring pattern into your autumn wardrobe. A black fitted top, ankle boots and a leather jacket would make an easy outfit for lunch or a weekend away. At £29.99, they are also an affordable way to try a new look without replacing everything else in your wardrobe.
Sizes and lengths: Petite UK 6-18.
Fit details: Petite wide-leg shape with a 27-inch leg length.
Faux leather, velvet and standout occasion trousers
9. Faux-leather high-waisted ankle grazers
£22
Faux-leather trousers are one of our standout picks for the season, and this £22 pair is an exciting find. They are such an easy way to elevate an autumn outfit: chocolate with a cream blouse and camel coat, or black with a fitted top and heeled boots. With so much interest in petite faux-leather trousers right now, we would not leave a favourite pair until the last minute. The elasticated waist is another reason to love them for everyday wear.
Sizes and lengths: UK 6-24; extra short, short/petite, regular, long.
Fit details: High waist, elasticated waistband and ankle-grazing length.
10. Wide-leg velvet stretch trousers
£32
Black velvet always gets us excited for party season, and this £32 pair leaves room in the budget for a gorgeous top or new earrings. We would wear them with an embellished camisole for dinner, or a simple blouse and statement earrings for drinks with friends. The stretch and pull-on design are especially appealing when you want to dress up and still feel comfortable.
Sizes and lengths: Petite UK 8-18.
Fit details: Approximately 69cm inside leg. Full-length wide leg, pull-on design and elasticated back.
11. Safie palazzo sateen trousers
£179
Chocolate brown is such a gorgeous alternative to black, particularly with a crisp white shirt or a cream blouse. Safie brings that rich colour together with a sweeping palazzo shape and a subtle sheen. Wear them with a shirt and blazer for the office, then switch to an embellished top, heels and a standout coat for dinner. These are trousers to build an outfit around.
Sizes and lengths: Petite UK 6-18; regular 6-18.
Fit details: 73cm petite inside leg. Palazzo shape with double front pleats, pockets and a concealed hook-and-bar fastening.
12. Velvet flared trousers
£46
The rich chocolate velvet makes these flares feel so special. We would wear them with a blouse and heels for dinner, or a fitted top, ankle boots and a cropped jacket for a daytime outfit that feels a little more dressed up. The flared leg is gorgeous, and the cotton-rich fabric has a little stretch. At £46, they are a lovely addition to an autumn and winter wardrobe.
Sizes and lengths: UK 6-24 in short/petite; also available in regular.
Fit and fabric: 98% cotton, 2% elastane. High-waisted flare with a side zip.
13. Agnes satin palazzo trousers
£179
These are the pair for a little more drama. The sweeping palazzo leg and lustrous khaki satin would look gorgeous with an elegant evening top and heels. For daytime, we love the idea of a simple T-shirt and tailored jacket. The rich green gives you another way to dress up without defaulting to black, and would be beautiful beneath a long winter coat.
Sizes and lengths: Petite UK 6-18.
Fit details: 71cm petite inside leg. Satin palazzo shape with a front zip and hook-and-bar fastening.
14. Sequin balloon trousers
£110
It may feel early to think about party season, but we could not keep these new-in sequin trousers to ourselves. The navy-mix sparkle and balloon shape are absolutely gorgeous, and we think these could go quickly as festive plans fill the diary. We would rather share them now than wait until the party invitations arrive. Add a simple evening top and heels for Christmas drinks, a celebration dinner or a night out with friends.
Sizes and lengths: Petite UK 6-16; regular up to 18.
Fit details: High-rise balloon shape in Navy Mix, with a flat waistband, side zip and lining.
15. Petite faux-leather jeans
£49.50
If you prefer a slimmer leg, this Wallis pair is a gorgeous alternative to the M&S ankle grazers. The seam detail at the knee gives them a little extra interest, and the shape works beautifully with a relaxed jumper and ankle boots. For dinner, swap to a blouse and heels and add a blazer. They are an easy way to dress up without feeling overdressed.
Sizes and lengths: Petite UK 8-20.
Fit details: Petite slim leg tapering to the ankle, with a button fastening and seam detail at the knee.
Cord and tailoring for smarter days
16. Melis corduroy wide-leg trousers
£159
Deep khaki corduroy feels right at home in an autumn wardrobe. Melis has that gorgeous texture we love with boots, but the clean shape makes it easy to dress up for work. We would pair it with a cream jumper and loafers, or a shirt and blazer for the office. The small amount of elastane is a useful detail if you prefer a little stretch.
Sizes and lengths: Petite UK 6-18.
Fit and fabric: 71cm petite inside leg. 99% organic cotton, 1% elastane. Front zip and side-seam pockets.
17. Anna wide-leg trousers
£169
A good pair of black tailored trousers can become one of the most useful pieces in your wardrobe. Anna is the pair we would reach for with a crisp shirt for work, a beautiful blouse for dinner, or a blazer when we want a full tailored outfit. The virgin wool, recycled polyester and partial lining are welcome details in a pair we would want to wear season after season.
Sizes and lengths: Petite UK 6-18.
Fit and fabric: 72cm petite inside leg. 51% recycled polyester, 44% virgin wool, 3% polyester and 2% elastane. Lined to the knee, with cotton inside the waistband and a front hip pocket.
18. Checked pintuck wide-leg trousers with wool
£69.30 (was £99)
These checked RO&ZO trousers are a lovely choice for days when you want something smarter than jeans. We would wear them with a tucked-in shirt and loafers for work, or a fitted top, cropped jacket and ankle boots for a weekend lunch. The pintuck detail and classic check give them a timeless look that will work with plenty of pieces you already own.
Sizes and lengths: Petite UK 6-16; regular 6-18.
Fit and fabric: Pintuck wide-leg shape with wool in the fabric.
Why these petite brands are worth knowing
Seasalt Cornwall: organic-cotton cord and petite proportions
Seasalt Cornwall is a lovely place to look for colour, texture and everyday clothes you will be excited to wear again. Its petite collection is designed for women 5ft 3in and under, and the brand says it adjusts key proportions as well as length. That attention to fit is particularly welcome when you want to enjoy a wide or cropped leg. Seasalt’s fit guidance
There is substance behind its environmental commitments, too: Seasalt has been a certified B Corp since July 2024. In this edit, the organic-cotton cord in Sholl and Asphodel gives us a specific fabric detail to love alongside the colours and shapes. B Corp certification assesses the business’s social and environmental performance. Seasalt’s B Corp profile
Baukjen: petite fit with plenty of dress-up potential
Baukjen is particularly appealing for trousers you can take from everyday plans to an evening out. The petite Marjorie is designed for women 5ft 3in and under, with proportions the brand describes as specially tailored for a shorter frame. It is a useful detail when choosing a statement shape such as these side-stripe trousers. Baukjen’s Marjorie fit details
House of Baukjen has held B Corp certification since 2021. Its use of organic cotton in Melis and recycled polyester alongside wool in Anna gives shoppers specific material choices within this edit. The certification relates to the company as a whole. Baukjen’s B Corp information
Petite: affordable pieces to dress up or down
Petite earns its place here with two wonderfully wearable wide-leg options: wine ponte for everyday outfits and black velvet for evenings. At £25 and £32 respectively, both combine an accessible price with a flexible waistband and an approximately 69cm inside leg. They are tempting additions when you want something fresh to wear with your favourite tops and shoes.
Finding the right length for the shoes you love
Before choosing a leg length, think about how you want to wear your trousers. Will you reach for heels or flats most often? Do you want the hem to finish at your ankle, skim the top of your shoe or fall close to the ground?
I am just under 5ft 3in, and I love wearing heels with trousers. I have bought extra short before and found them far too short for the shoes I wanted to wear. Sometimes I even buy regular length when I want a flared leg to fall close to the ground over heels. Your height is a starting point, but the shoes and the look you want make a real difference.
Check your measurements against the brand’s size guide, and compare the inside leg with a pair you already love. Measure from the crotch seam to the hem, then try the trousers with the shoes you intend to wear. Aim for the hem position you want without leaving fabric trailing underfoot. The right length for a flat loafer may be different from the length you want over a heel.
Waistbands matter as well as hems. If you prefer flexibility, look at the elasticated-waist options, including Sholl, Marjorie and the rich wine ponte trousers. For a more tailored feel, Anna and the checked RO&ZO pair are lovely alternatives. Choose the shape you feel good in, then use the measurements and your favourite shoes to find the right fit.
Petite trouser questions, answered
Are petite trousers just shorter trousers?
Petite ranges can adjust the proportions of a garment as well as its length. Seasalt explicitly says it adjusts key proportions, while Baukjen describes Marjorie as tailored for a shorter frame. A short-leg option does not, by itself, tell you which other measurements have changed, so check the individual fit notes and size guide. Seasalt’s sizing explanation
Can petite women wear wide-leg or barrel-leg trousers?
Absolutely. Choose a pair that feels comfortable at your waist and hips, then check where the hem falls with your chosen shoes. For a simple outfit, try wide legs with a tucked-in blouse, or barrel legs with a fitted top and cropped jacket. You can enjoy either shape with flats or heels.
What trouser length should I choose for heels?
Choose the length around the shoes and hem position you want. A full-length flare worn over heels may need more length than a pair worn with flat loafers. Compare the stated inside leg with trousers you already like, and try the new pair with your intended shoes so the hem falls where you want without trailing underfoot.
Which petite trousers have comfortable waistbands?
Look for an elasticated waist, a drawcord or stretch, depending on the feel you prefer. In this edit, Seasalt Sholl has an adjustable drawcord, Baukjen Marjorie has an elasticated waist, and Petite offers pull-on velvet trousers with an elasticated back. These are useful options when you want flexibility through the day or evening.
Where can I find petite trousers in larger sizes?
The Lucy & Yak Ashby styles selected here are available in petite UK 6–30. The featured M&S own-brand trousers offer UK 6–24 in short/petite, with extra-short options on selected styles. Check the size range for the particular colour and length you choose; regular and petite ranges can differ.
Petite Trousers for Autumn
Beautiful checks, relaxed proportions and a little statement tailoring. These are the trousers we're drawn to for autumn, from everyday dressing to outfits with a little more personality.
M&S
Checked Wide-Leg Trousers
A classic autumn check with an easy wide-leg silhouette. Beautiful with a fine knit, crisp shirt or softly tailored jacket.
SHOP THE TROUSERS →
NEVER FULLY DRESSED
Wool Check Bryony Trousers, Petite
Heritage checks with a contemporary twist. A striking petite style that makes even a simple knit feel beautifully dressed.
SHOP THE TROUSERS →This section contains affiliate links. Friday Petite may earn a small commission if you shop through them, at no extra cost to you.
Petite Trousers, Beautifully Considered
Good petite trousers should offer more
than a shorter leg.
Thoughtful proportions, quality fabrics
and flattering cuts make all the difference.
Baukjen's petite collection brings those
details together in styles designed
to work beyond a single season.
Explore three pieces from our
Baukjen review, or read the full article
for more petite jeans and trousers.
Three Petite Styles to Explore
Relaxed stripes, polished ponte and easy everyday tailoring.
BAUKJEN | PETITE
Tippi 2.0 Side Stripe Trousers
Dark Chocolate & Cream Stripe
Side-stripe trousers that bring a contemporary feel to everyday outfits. Easy with knitwear, shirts or simple tees.
£109
SHOP THE TROUSERS →
BAUKJEN | PETITE
Marian Ponte Wide Leg Trousers
Caviar Black
A polished black wide-leg trouser with the comfort of ponte fabric. A versatile choice for work and weekends.
£99
SHOP THE TROUSERS →
BAUKJEN | PETITE
Tippi 2.0 Side Stripe Trousers
Black & Cream
A classic colourway with a relaxed, sports-inspired finish. Ideal for giving simple outfits a sharper edge.
£109
SHOP THE TROUSERS →This feature contains affiliate links. Friday Petite may earn a small commission if you shop through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices are those supplied for this edit and may change.
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Great style has no age limit.
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getting dressed exciting, from M&S
and Seasalt to FatFace, Wallis and Whistles.
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clothing, beautiful fits and practical
advice for building a wardrobe you
genuinely love wearing.
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