13 Petite High-waisted Travel Pants From $17

As someone who’s 5-feet tall, finding a pair of flattering pants can be a challenge. I prefer a sophisticated high-waisted style over low- and mid-rise pants, but most standard options look like my pants are swallowing me whole. That’s why I rely exclusively on petite-cut, high-waisted pants for a fit that highlights my proportions instead of hiding them. 

With a few end-of-summer trips planned, I’m looking to add a few new, comfortable, petite pants to my wardrobe, so I turned to my favorite petite-friendly retailers that never fail to have exactly what I’m looking for. I found a pair of polished trousers, stylish lounge pants, flowy palazzo pants, and more flattering options that are perfect for any itinerary. Shop all my top picks from traveler-loved brands like Lululemon, Gap, Vuori, and Athleta, all starting at just $17.

Best Deals Overall

Spanx Spanxsupersmooth Stretch Twill Cropped Wide-leg Pant

Spanx is one of my go-to spots for travel-friendly petite bottoms, and right now I’m eyeing these flattering cropped trousers. The chic pants are versatile enough to wear into the office or for an elevated travel look, and the ultra-soft stretch twill fabric provides a comfortable fit. They feature a high-waist design with gentle compression around the front, waist, and back, providing a smoothing look. You can shop the pants in five neutral, everyday colors, along with a striking red option that’s currently marked down to $89.

Athleta Venice High-rise Wide-leg Pants

Flattering and stylish, these wide-leg bottoms from Athleta are a year-round, petite-friendly travel piece worth investing in. The high-rise, semi-fitted pants are made from a lightweight, stretchy material and have a ribbed waistband that offers a bit of added support. The versatile pants also have two discrete, zipper-back pockets and two side pockets. 

One reviewer raves that they are “the perfect travel pant,” adding that they’re also “nice enough to wear out to dinner.” Meanwhile, another shopper wrote, they’re “great for wearing on the plane since they don’t wrinkle.”

Crz Yoga Lightweight Wide-leg Cropped Pants  

These loose-fitting, cropped everyday pants combine style with functionality. The soft fabric is lightweight, quick-drying, and has a bit of stretch, too. The 25-inch inseam falls full-length for those under 5-foot-4, as opposed to capri, but one reviewer wrote, “The size is just right for my petite height.” They added that the material “doesn’t wrinkle at all.” The pants come in 11 color options—including a grey sage shade that I can already picture myself wearing all of fall. 

G4free Straight-leg Yoga Pants

These easy-to-wear, straight-leg yoga pants are an instant travel wardrobe staple. Available in a 27-inch inseam, these high-waisted petite bottoms are great for travel, working out, running errands, and so much more. They feature elevated details like a faux fly and faux back pockets, plus two functional side pockets. 

Lululemon Softstreme High-rise Straight-leg Cropped Pants 

As if these high-rise, petite-friendly Lululemon pants weren’t irresistible enough, they’re currently marked down to $59. I know—it sounds almost too good to be true. The cropped, straight-leg bottoms are made with the brand’s popular softstreme material, known for its “peach fuzz soft” feel and comfortable four-way stretch. 

They come in a 24-inch inseam that one 5-foot-1 reviewer said is “the perfect length.” Another person wrote, “I’m not usually someone who wears (even stylish) sweats out in public, but these changed my mind,” and said they’re “great for long flights or lounging with friends.”

Lands’ End Creaseless High-rise Palazzo Crop Pants

These easy, breezy bottoms from Lands’ End are an effortlessly chic addition to any travel wardrobe. The high-rise palazzo-style bottoms are lightweight and wrinkle-resistant, making them the ideal pants to pack on any type of vacation, from the beach to European cobblestone streets. I can’t help but favor the rich coffee brown shade, which is predicted to be a must-have color for fall.

Old Navy High-waisted SleekTech Wide-leg Cargo Pants

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw these high-waisted, petite cargo pants were 65 percent off at Old Navy, bringing the price to just $17. The lightweight bottoms come in a moody boxwood shade that’s a unique, wearable alternative to classic black. The trendy pants have over 1,000 perfect ratings from shoppers. One reviewer wrote that they’re “taking [the pants] on a trip to Europe” because of their “comfort and versatility,” while another said they “plan to use them for hiking in Alaska,” thanks to their quick-drying capabilities. 

Halara High-waisted Linen-feel Pants

Summer isn’t over yet, and with a few end-of-season trips upcoming, I’m adding these Halara high-waisted linen-feel pants to my shopping cart. The flattering high-waisted bottoms have an adjustable drawstring waistband and two side pockets. The linen-like material is thick enough to wear traveling or lounging, but the flowy bottoms can also be thrown on over a swimsuit with a button-down and worn as a cover-up on vacation. 

Iuga High-waisted Wide-leg Jeans

Sweatpant jeans have become fashion-lovers’ favorite travel pants this year, and this $40 option from Iuga is a wallet-friendly way to try out the trend. The highly-rated bottoms are made with an ultra-soft, stretchy denim material that’s not constraining and easy to move in. They feature a double-layered sculpting waistband that offers comfortable tummy control. One 5-foot-2 shopper shared that they purchased the petite-length pants and gushed that “they are so soft and stretchy” and feel “like wearing PJs.”

Athleta Brooklyn Heights High-rise Cargo Pants

These Athleta cargo pants are sure to make me the best-dressed traveler on my next trip. The fashionable bottoms can be worn in-flight with a cozy sweater or out and about with a simple tank and a cropped jacket. The lightweight, breathable material boasts several notable qualities, including being wrinkle-resistant, quick-drying, abrasion-resistant (meaning they likely won’t snag or tear), and offering UPF 40+ sun protection.

Wit & Wisdom Skyrise Pintuck Pleat Wide-leg Pants

Sometimes less is more, and these simple, yet sophisticated travel pants from Wit & Wisdom prove just that. The high-waisted, wide-leg bottoms have pintuck pleats that give the classic black bottoms a stylish flair that can easily be dressed up or down. Plus, the pull-on style is easy to put on, which I love as someone who is always on the go.  

Old Navy High-waisted Wide-leg Leggings

I’m usually not one for printed bottoms, but these houndstooth high-waisted leggings immediately caught my eye. The chic pants can be paired with a simple black sweater and sneakers for a fashionable, on-the-go look that will effortlessly transition from the airplane to sightseeing without having to make a pitstop to change. 

Gap GapFit Tech High-rise Split-hem Pants

I’ve found Gap has one of the largest selections of petite bottoms, all of which prioritize style and comfort. These sporty-looking split-hem pants can seamlessly transition from travel wear to workwear. In addition to the flattering high-rise waistband, the pants are made with a moisture-wicking material that’s wrinkle-resistant and has UPF 50+ sun protection. 

Vuori Halo Essential Wide-leg Pant

These splurge-worthy bottoms from Vuori have earned a worthy spot on my travel pants wishlist. As an owner of different Vuori bottoms, I can confirm the brand’s signature DreamKnit material is buttery soft and lives up to all the hype. The high-waisted, wide-leg bottoms are the perfect off-duty bottoms that will make any look put-together. 

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