Petite vs. Tall Plus Size Pants: How to Pick Your Inseam
Measure the inside leg of pants you love, then match it to each style's listed Petite, Average or Tall inseam. Some Bend Over styles add a 25" Petite Short.
Your best inseam is already hanging in your closet. Measure the pair that lands exactly where you like, then match that number to the Petite, Average or Tall inseam each style lists on its product page. It's the fastest way to find plus size pants that end where you want them to: no puddling, no surprise ankle.
How do I measure my inseam?
Measure a pair of pants that already fits you well, not your body. Lay them flat and run a tape from the crotch seam to the bottom of the hem along the inside leg. That number is your inseam.
- Pick pants with a similar leg shape to the style you want: a straight leg to buy a straight leg, a wide leg to buy a wide leg.
- Lay them flat, fold one leg back, and smooth out any wrinkles without stretching the fabric.
- Measure from where the inner-leg seams meet at the crotch down to the hem edge.
- Round to the nearest half inch and write it down next to the shoes you usually wear with them.
No pair you love? Stand barefoot, wearing the shoes you'll pair most often in hand, and have a friend measure from your crotch to where you'd like the hem to fall. Keep that shoe height in mind when you compare lengths.
What inseam is petite, average and tall?
On our best-selling bottoms, Petite usually runs about 2 inches shorter than Average and Tall about 3 inches longer. The exact numbers change by style, so compare your measurement with the specific pant, not a general rule.
Our Classic Bend Over structured straight leg pant is the standout for shorter legs: its 25" Petite Short is the shortest length on the chart. For an easy knit with the same 28", 30" and 33" options, while our soft knit relaxed straight leg pant is our most-ordered pull-on pant.
| Style | Petite Short | Petite | Average | Tall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Bend Over Structured Straight Leg Pull-On Pant | 25" | 28" | 30" | 33" |
| Soft Knit Relaxed Pull-On Straight Leg Pant | Not listed | 28" | 30" | 33" |
| Wide Leg Bend Over Pant | Not listed | 28" | 30" | 33" |
| Essential Stretch Ankle Length Pull-On Legging | Not listed | 26" | 28" | 31" |
| Wide Leg Jean | Not listed | 29" | 31" | 34" |
Which length should I choose for my height?
Let your measured inseam decide, not your height. Two women who are both 5'6" can have legs that differ by inches, which is why "I'm 5'6", will this be too long?" has no single answer. Pick the listed length closest to your number.
- Your number matches a listed length: order that length.
- You fall between two lengths: choose the longer one if you wear heels or want a hem you can tailor; choose the shorter one if you live in flats or sneakers.
- You're tall and Average always ends above your ankle: go straight to Tall. A shopper who wrote "I'm 5'10 and they are too short" is exactly who a 33" or 34" Tall inseam is made for.
- Average puddles on you: try Petite, and on Bend Over styles that list it, Petite Short.
Why does the same length label land differently by style?
Each silhouette is designed to end in a different spot, so Petite, Average and Tall mean different numbers on different pants. Read the label as a starting point and the listed inseam as the real answer.
- Ankle-length leggings run shorter on purpose. The Essential Stretch ankle-length legging lists 28" Average, about 2 inches shorter than our straight leg pants, so it shows a little ankle by design. Browse more Roamans plus size leggings with the same check in mind.
- Wide legs and jeans run longer. The wide leg jean lists 31" Average and 34" Tall, made to skim the floor in a heel. Find more fits among our plus size jeans.
- Same numbers, different drape. The wide leg Bend Over pant shares the 28"/30"/33" lengths of its straight-leg sister, but a fuller hem looks longer at the same inseam.
Where should each pant length hit?
Aim the hem at the spot that suits the leg shape and the shoes you'll wear most. When it lands there, the whole look reads polished, head-to-toe.
- Straight leg: a light break at the top of your shoe, the front hem just touching it.
- Wide leg: about half an inch above the floor in your usual shoes, so the hem swings when you move.
- Ankle leggings: at or just above the ankle bone, ideal with tunics and sneakers.
Can pant length change after washing?
Some shoppers notice length shift after laundering, so treat the first wash as part of your fit check. Follow the care label, which for these styles says machine wash, and re-measure the inseam afterward.
If you're right on the edge between two lengths in a cotton-blend knit or denim, the longer length gives you a little margin. Woven styles like the Bend Over structured pant tend to hold their shape, so your measured number is your best guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do Roaman's plus size pants come in petite lengths?
Yes! Many of our best-selling pants, jeans and leggings list Petite and Tall inseams in the FIT section of the product page. Availability varies by style, so check that section on each page before you order.
What should I do if a product page doesn't list an inseam?
Ask in the questions section of the product page and compare against your own measured number before ordering. Styles that do list inseams, like the ones in the chart above, are the easiest to buy with confidence.
Should I size down if pants feel long?
No. Size and length are separate choices: size governs the waist and hips, length governs the inseam. Some shoppers say certain styles run large, so read each style's own sizing tip, then pick length separately.
Can I hem Tall pants if I'm between lengths?
Yes. Taking a hem up is a simple tailoring job, while letting one down is rarely possible. If you're between two lengths, the longer one gives you room to tailor.