How to Style Cargo Pants if You're Petite
This post was originally published on September 19, 2022, and updated and recirculated on September 27, 2024. I preserved all of the original blog post.
Happy Monday! How was your weekend? I’ve had an exceptionally busy month so far (there’s so much to do in Boise in September!) and spent this past weekend at the first Boise State home football game of the season and also celebrating my dad’s birthday. Mine is coming up later this week!!! My mind is blown that we are already over halfway through the month.
One recent fall trend I’ve been hearing about but didn’t really think I’d be into is the cargo pant trend, especially because I’m short. I remember wearing cargo pants as a kid and didn’t really have a desire to wear them again, lol. I recently ordered a pair of cargo pants (they’re currently on sale at Madewell!), and I surprisingly love them! Below, I shared my tips for styling cargo pants if you’re petite (or borderline petite) like me.
How to Style Cargo Pants if You’re Petite
Because I grew up in the 90s and early 2000s, I’ve been less enthused about seeing that the 90s are back. There are many trends I’m probably always going to resist (overalls and flare jeans are two off the top of my head). That said, there are a few that I’m coming around to… one of those being cargo pants. Since they’re more of a utilitarian pant, cargo pants can be so bulky with all the pockets everywhere, especially if they’re also a looser/wider leg.
When you’re petite (which is based solely on height and simply means that you’re 5’4” or shorter), wearing anything bulky and/or wide can make it feel like you look shorter than you already are. Here are my tips for styling cargo pants if you’re short!
Opt for a cropped/petite length
Much like with wide leg pants, the key to wearing cargo pants when you’re petite is to make sure the inseam is slightly cropped. You want the pant legs to hit at or just above your ankle bone. The Madewell pants I’m wearing here are in the “regular” length, which hits me just above the ankle bone.
If you wear full-length pants that extend past your ankle bone or even drag on the ground, you might look overwhelmed by them and like your proportions are out of balance. HOWEVER, I realize that loose, long pants are in style again—if that’s your thing, rock ‘em, even if you are short! Play around with the tops and go for something to balance that silhouette. More on those below!
Pick a rise that goes with the tops you plan to wear
If you plan to wear mostly cropped tops with your cargo pants, pick cargo pants with a higher rise (whatever rise hits you at your natural waist). Low rise pants ARE coming back into style (gulp), so if you plan to wear mostly regular-length tops and/or tops tucked into your cargo pants, you could consider a lower rise.
The rise of your pants is definitely mostly personal preference. I suggest a rise that hits at your natural midsection so you still look proportional, but you might find that you prefer something different! Try a bunch of styles to see what sticks.
Play around with proportions
Depending on the style of cargo pant you choose, you may prefer either wearing more fitted tops, or you may prefer looser/more oversized tops. For your typical oversized cargo pant, I gravitate towards and would recommend a more form-fitting top. Cropped tops with low-rise pants are a thing again. Even though I personally wouldn’t wear that combo myself, if you are younger you may feel confident in that and I say more power to you!
Here, I’m wearing cargo pants that taper at the ankle. Since they’re not super wide in the leg, I decided to wear a cropped, boxy shirt instead of a form-fitting top. Even though the hem of the shirt covers the pants, I still look proportional because the shirt hits just below my waist, and the pants taper in at the ankles.
If you pick a pair of cargo pants with a skinnier fit, go for the oversized top OR double up: wear a thin, fitted tank or bodysuit under an oversized, unbuttoned shirt jacket or other third piece (blazer, leather jacket, suede jacket, etc.).
Finish with shoes that add some height
Depending on the weather/season, I reach for either heeled/platform sandals (like the clog sandals I’m wearing here) or heeled boots (such as sock booties). Lugsoles are another big trend, and it would be fun to go all-in and tuck your cargo pants into a pair of chunky lugsole boots. If it’s cool out and your cargo pants have a slimmer silhouette, definitely play around with the thicker lugsole heel! The extra height from the shoes makes me feel more proportional overall and less short, especially if the cargo pants aren’t a skinny fit.
If you have a looser pair of cargo pants and prefer a shoe without a lot of extra height, look for flat sneakers like Converse. Ballet flats are another great option and allow for a little extra skin to show.
Hope these tips help you feel more confident when styling cargo pants, even if you are petite! What’s your favorite way to style cargo pants?
More Ways to Style Loose Pants:
Shop Cargo Pants
OUTFIT DETAILS
Everlane shirt / exact (last seen here)
Madewell pants / exact (curvy version) or regular version (also available from Nordstrom)
Earth sandals c/o / old; similar by Nisolo (also available from Zappos or Anthropologie)
Maison Miru earrings / exact or similar from Nordstrom Rack
Le Specs sunglasses / exact via Revolve, Shopbop, or Nordstrom
Dior Lip Glow in rosewood / exact