Problem Finding Jeans for My 16 Year Old Daughter Who Is Very Petite

Updated on December 09, 2012
D.B. asks from Westmont, IL
41 answers

Can anyone recommend a store where my daughter can find Jeans in a size 0 - Short. It is sooo frustrating to take my daughter shopping for Jeans. She is 16 years old and very small. We are having a problem finding a store that carries Jeans for a tiny person. Can anyone please give us some suggestions.

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K.F.

answers from Chicago on

I advice is to go to "the buckle". It is a store you can find in almost any mall, the jeans are pricey, but they alter the jeans for free and you dont lose the bottom seam. They also have a clearance section in the back, and you can usually find some great deals (especially for odd sizes). They go by the waist inseam, not size...but even if you found a pair of jeans you liked, they can alter the waisr as well...Hope this helps..Also, the jeans at The Buckle are very trendy and stylish!!

1 mom found this helpful
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V.J.

answers from Chicago on

This is a couple days late. My 16 yr old is also in 0 - petites. She has found some her size at Discovery, and sometimes they sell the "skinny jeans" at Walmart. My fifteen yr old is the opposite. She wears 11 jr miss - but we have to hem them. And, they have those at Discovery as well.

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M.C.

answers from Chicago on

I also have two daughters who are small and petite. I'd be interested in any advice folks gave you. Thanks!

M. Coussens (____@____.com)

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K.F.

answers from Chicago on

Try the Gap. They usually have jeans. I would say Abercrombi, but they are usually the super-tight low riders and I don't think those are good for teens to wear...too showy.

Good luck!!

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C.S.

answers from Chicago on

dear D., have you tried the stores Express or New York and company? depending on where you live, i know that both of those stores are at the westfield shopping center in hobart. also other stores in the mall that carry little sizes would be Delia's and i know that Old Navy has a wide variety of sizes. before i had my 2 kids i used to be a 5/6 short petite, and i worked and these were the only places i could find my jeans, they are a little pricey, though.
well i hope that my advice helps, good luck!!!!!!!!

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S.Z.

answers from Chicago on

Have you tried BeBe? Also Bennetton might work...Any of the trendier stores will probably have the smaller sizes.

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B.C.

answers from Chicago on

while i don't have the issue of being a size 0, and likely never will (lol!), i am pretty short and canNOT find jeans that are short enough for my legs. i'm guessing that you can find jeans that fit her body, just not her legs. assuming that's the case, here's my suggestion:

i take them to a tailor to get them shortened and have the tailor keep the orignal hem so they don't look lame (yes, i'm 32 and i think that'd look LAME!). there are 2 ways for them to keep the hem. one involves cutting off the bottom inch or so and sewing it inside which is more common and less expensive. the only issue is that if you ever want to cuff your jeans up (bad weather, etc), there's and odd extra part of the hem that will be there. the other way is to pretty much reattach that little piece of hem w/o any seams (looks fantastic!), which is costlier, but depending on the cost of the jeans themselves, worth the money.

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A.L.

answers from Chicago on

J Jill carries size 0 petite, check them out online or at a store near you.

A.

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D.L.

answers from Chicago on

Hi D.,
I'm 5'2" & size 00. I find jeans at Armani Exchange (I always buy the ones on sale). Other brands I wear are Guess, Free People, Seven Jeans & Page Jeans. Try & look for the skinny jean cut, they run much smaller.

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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

Have you tried express or nordtstom. they carry small sizes and petites. Stick to the junior section of dept stores, where the sizes tend to run small.

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T.C.

answers from Chicago on

Hi D.,
I've had the same problem all my life. I'm also going to recommend hemming, but having a tailor use the original hem. I didn't know it exhisted and hemmed jeans look horrible, but then found this new way they can do it. You totally can not even tell that they were hemmed becuase they keep the original hem so it retains the washed/faded or frayed look it had.
So go ahead and buy the affordable jeans and then take them to a tailor and ask for them to do an original hem. It may cost around $10 a pair, but its worth it.
Plus if you're some what handy with a sewing machine, after getting one hemmed take a look at how they did it. I did and now I've figured out how to hem my jeans myself keeping the original hem. Its not as perfect, but you still can't tell they've been hemmed. :)

~T.

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E.B.

answers from Chicago on

I just looked through most of the responses and I don't believe anyone has mentioned American Eagle. My cousin is 16, size 0 and barely 5 ft. tall. That's where she gets her jeans.

And having two teenage girl cousins, I know that they wouldn't be caught dead in jeans from most of the other stores the moms mentioned. Never, ever shop where your mom shops! :)

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I.B.

answers from Springfield on

try Kohl's. The have a big selection of juniors jeans in many styles and prices. I know because I work there and I supervise in the apparel area. Also, if you aren't near a store or if they don't have your size, try kohls.com, the often offer free shipping and you can always return anything bought on line at the store. Good luck!

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C.G.

answers from Augusta on

I don't suffer from this particular problem :) but Ann Taylor loft seemes to have a fairly large petites section. They are not too pricey for jeans.

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S.H.

answers from Chicago on

I recommend going to the Levi's store. (There's one on Michigan Ave.) They have jeans for every size and shape, so she should try on every style. Then when she finds a pair of jeans that fits, you can order them online whenever you need a new pair. Levi's last a very long time and they look great! I am short too.

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R.M.

answers from Chicago on

When I was 16yrs old I was also a size 0 (supper skinny)and short (petite). I use to buy my jeans from Wet Seal (they use to be called Contempo) in the mall or you can visit them at www.wetseal.com
They always carried a size 0.
Another newer store that carries teen clothes is Charlotte Russe, also in the mall (they may have smaller sizes like size 0). Let's see you can also try Discovery clothing and Forever 21. I use to shop at these stores when I was in high school too (not anymore though, LOL).

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E.P.

answers from Chicago on

Plato's closet is a GREAT place to get name brand jeans at affordable prices (even if you have to get them hemmed!) Every Plato is a little different. It is a resale shop. You have to go in there with the mentality that you'll be there for a while because there are A LOT of jeans - many expensive brands. They are organized nicely too! We occasionally go to the one in Orland Park but I see they have a couple locations closer to you in Downers Grove and Bloomingdale. They do have some new items. They have more items for females but they do have male selections too.

http://www.platosclosetdownersgrove.com/

Abercrombie and Hollister carry smaller sizes too. You will also find these brands at Plato's Closet.

Good luck.

Good luck.

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M.H.

answers from Springfield on

I would go ahead and buy the ones that are too long and have them hemmed. It can be done in a way that you can not tell that it has been hemmed. They remove the bottom hem, shorten the jeans and then reattach the original hem.
I would say the jrs section of most department stores carry smaller sizes. I know that Abercrombie and Fitch carries a 0 short and so does Hollister. I would try those (they would be cheaper on ebay!). If all else fails try a 14 slim in the girls section.

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P.H.

answers from Chicago on

I "second" the vote for Delia's, which is in most malls. I have three teenage daughters who love their jeans. You also can order them online, and usually there are special coupons with online purchases.

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M.F.

answers from Chicago on

My 14 year old daughter is also very tiny and she gets her jeans (00-short) at Delia's. They carry both short and petite lengths. They have several different cuts available, which helps in getting a good fit. The downside is that they're a bit pricey.

PacSun also carries 0-short. What I don't like about their jeans is the extremely low rise. My daughter really wants them, but mean mom says "no".

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J.L.

answers from Chicago on

Aeropostale has sizes all the way down to 00-short. My tiny 13 year old can fit into them and they are pretty economical.

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A.R.

answers from Chicago on

Have you tried eBay? I know you wouldn't be able to try them on, but if she has a pair now that she really loves, maybe you could find duplicates there.

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S.A.

answers from Chicago on

When I started ninth grade I weighed about 85lbs. I had to shop in the little girl section of stores. It was embarrassing. My prom dress my senior year was a size 0 and it was too big.

Fashions now days are more mature even for the little girls, so I would try the little girl sections and see what you can find.... I was still wearing a 14 slim in ninth grade from the little girl section.

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L.B.

answers from Chicago on

I have the same problem. I'm 32, 5 1 1/2 and need a size 2. I can never find jeans. I recently found jeans that came in a short at Walmart. I know not the place your daughter probably wants to shop but I'll take whatever I can get. I don't care what the brand name is. Have you tried Marshalls, Burlington Coat Factory or TJ Max? I have found a few pairs there that come in a short. With those store it's hit or miss though. Another more expensive option would be Calvin Klein. You can purchase the jeans by size and length so that you can get the perfect length. (Kinda like mens jeans.) I haven't looked at their jeans but have found some decently priced items at Delia's, not sure if they have pants in a short though. JCPenny's also has short jeans and kakhi pants. I've heard that Express has them but their jeans are $50. I hope this helps!

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D.T.

answers from Chicago on

Old navy is usually pretty good (check out the clearance rack, there are often good deals there.....also Discovery Clothing....usually has the smaller sizes (and their stuff runs small) with good prices. We sometimes find stuff at Deb clothing stores as well.....my daughter in law is only 4'9" and weighs a mere 85lbs but has a curvy figure so kid clothes are out of the question for fit...all 2 stores have plenty of choices for a teenager as far as style is concerned....Happy shopping!

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J.C.

answers from Chicago on

If the pants fit everywhere except the length, have them tailored. Many tailors and seamstresses hem pants and jeans for petite people. I have done this myself for a friend who is 4'10".

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A.S.

answers from Chicago on

I haven't read any of the responses so you might have already gotten this but try OLD NAVY!! I've always had a problem finding jeans for myself but Old Navy has size 0 & size 1 & they also offer "short" for the length. She should try them on though because I'm 5'3" & I wear the regular length because I find the shorts are too short after I wash them. Oh yeah, they are also priced right! Good luck!

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C.K.

answers from Chicago on

Try Maurices. Not sure where you live but they have one in McHenry. The one in McHenry is in the strip mall by Old Navy and Best Buy. They have awesome jeans in all sizes including "short."

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S.T.

answers from Chicago on

Lucky girl!! I'm gonna agree with D. who mentioned Old Navy. I love their clothes and when you catch a sale its great. Specifically, check them out on line. Sometimes the stores don't have the size you need. On line they do offer size 0 petite. Plus the way they fit is great and they have different shades of jean and different styles. Good luck!!

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B.W.

answers from Springfield on

My 16 year old daughter is also very tiny, size 0. We have had good luck at Hollister and Pacsun. I'm not sure if either store has short lengths, but the style now seems to be to have your jeans dragging the ground! My daughter is only 5'5" and the flare type jeans at Pacsun, the long length, she thought were too short. So, those may work for your daughter in their regular lenth. My daughter was able to wear the straight leg jeans from Pacsun in a long length. At Hollister she gets the flare in regular length and they are long on her (in style.) You may have to find a good seamstress that could shorten them for you.

I feel for you. We used to get size 16 slim from Limited too and Old Navy. They fit her perfect. Then they stopped making that size! We searched high and low to find jeans to fit. Each store is different, and some of the styles show their butt when they sit down! I remember one store the jeans were over $80 and so low! No way was I paying that for jeans to show off way too much! It's really frustrating when your daughter tries 0 and they are too big! Some stores have 00. I can't remember which ones. I just know the jeans my daughter is wearing now are from Paksun and Hollister. Good luck!

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L.H.

answers from Chicago on

My daughter is a size 0, but wears regular length. We have had the best luck at Carson Pirie Scott and Aeropostale. I'm not sure what price point you are looking for, but I'm usually able to walk out the door somewhere between $15-$30 a pair.

I agree with having the jeans hemmed. I have had it done for my daughter and I think it costs me about $12. Well worth it!

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S.L.

answers from Chicago on

I've read through some of your other responses and I noticed a lot of them are advising Holister and things like that. If you want affordable, I shop at T.J. Max for Mudd jeans. (I'm 5'1" and 100 lbs...And 28 I know what your daughter is going through.) The Mudd jeans run about $20 per pair and if you go in at the right time you can sometimes get them as little as $5 a pair. Good luck!

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A.

answers from Chicago on

Anne Taylor Loft sells petites. I am 5'0" and they are actually short enough for me (if I have a short heal on). They carry sizes as small as 00. They have a few different styles, and are NOT "mom jeans". Good luck!

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N.W.

answers from Chicago on

I'm very tiny and Express is where I get my jeans! Also Hollister and Aberbcrombie carry size 0. I buy size 0 short at Express.

Is 5-7-9 still around? They used to carry size 0 as well.

Sometimes I buy size 14 kids jeans. It's funny being an adult buying kids jeans or shoes, but sometimes it's cheaper!

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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

I am pretty short, and at one point in my life I got very tiny also. (no one would believe it now, haha) Anyway, nowadays there are so many cute comparable little girl racks I think she could get some stylish and well fitting jeans (if she's not insulted). That's what used to do. It's just luck a lot of times anyway. I've seen the racks at Target when things are on sale and most of the time those are the sizes that don't get sold very often. So try there, too.

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J.A.

answers from Chicago on

WEBERS JEANS, in Lockport,IL. It is the most awesome place. Their service is personable, and they hem them right there for a dollar. It is the only place that me and my daughter buy our jeans. They have every kind of style, cut, and size that you can ever imagine.

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L.S.

answers from Chicago on

Aeropostale has all their pants in Short, regular and long. My daughter is small too and she loves their pants because they are not as low cut on your hips as Holister or other stores. I think their prices are very reasonable too.

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C.C.

answers from Chicago on

There's a place in Geneva called The Denim Loft that specializes in all things jeans and carries every size. Name brands included. They have a web site you can order from, but I would recommend you go there in person as the store offers even more things. Also, there are a couple of sellers on Ebay that have very high ratings who sell jeans of all sizes and again name brands. I have purchased a few things from them and been very satisfied. They have good return policies an very fair prices. All their items are brand new with the tags. If you are interested in them just let me know and I'll look up their Ebay ID for you. (no affiliation of course, just a satisfied customer). There are two other stores I know about both are boutiques and carry the better brands. One is in Ottawa, called Lady Di's and the other is in Oswego called Jacqueline Dresses/American Male. Lovely stores both of them and both offer alterations. Hope this info is helpful, good luck! C.

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J.S.

answers from Peoria on

Try Vanity. It is a store that has current styles and the sizes start at 0.

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M.U.

answers from Chicago on

Hi D.,

I am also short, but not as skinny as your daughter (i wish) Charlotte Russe has some nise jeans they carry anything from size 0 in short to tall... I get my jeans there and they are not expensive either....you can find a store in the malls like woodfield in schaumburg or any other...hope this helps.

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L.F.

answers from San Diego on

I'm 17 years old and wear a size 00 and have been dealing with the same problem. I typically get my jeans from American Eagle who also carries a 0. I have recently been searching for a store that sells them for cheaper so if you find anything let me know!

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