Old Navy petite jeans cost less than a nice lunch for two. After six weeks of testing four styles, here is what that $40 actually gets you.
Old Navy petite jeans occupy a unique space in the petite denim market. They are the most accessible option for women 5’4″ and under, both in price (most styles run $35 to $50) and in availability (nearly every Old Navy store carries petite in-store, not just online). At 5’2″ and a size 4/27, I tested four Old Navy petite styles over six weeks to find out whether budget petite denim is worth buying or whether you are better off saving for a mid-range pair. This review is part of our Petite Jeans hub.
I will be straightforward: Old Navy petite jeans are not going to compete with Madewell or AGOLDE on fabric quality, stretch retention, or long-term durability. The question is whether they are good enough for the price, and whether they serve a purpose in a petite woman’s denim wardrobe.
OG Straight Petite: the best of the bunch
The OG Straight in petite has a 26-inch inseam and a 10.5-inch rise. These measurements are solid for petites, and on my 5’2″ frame, the inseam hit right at the ankle and the rise sat at my natural waist. The straight-leg silhouette is clean and classic.
The fabric is a lightweight blend, approximately 91% cotton, 7% polyester, 2% elastane, that weighs about 9 oz. For context, most mid-range denim is 11 to 12 oz, and premium rigid denim can be 13 to 14 oz. You can feel the difference. Old Navy denim is thinner, softer, and less structured. On day one, this feels like a positive because the jeans are immediately comfortable. By week three, it is a negative because the jeans have lost their shape.
Stretch-out data: after six weeks of wear (three to four days per week) and five washes, the waist stretched a full inch, and the knees bagged noticeably by mid-afternoon each day. Cold washing and hang drying reset the fit, but the stretch-out returned within a few hours of wearing. A belt is required by wash three.
Color retention was poor. The medium indigo wash faded noticeably after just three washes, developing a washed-out look that was not intentional. If you buy these in a dark wash, expect them to lighten significantly within the first month.
For $40, the OG Straight Petite is a reasonable pair if you treat it as a seasonal staple rather than a long-term investment. Wear it for a season, accept the stretch-out and fading, and replace it. At that price point, the per-season cost is comparable to dry cleaning a premium pair. Old Navy Og Straight Petite Jeans on Amazon
High-Rise Wide Leg Petite: decent shape, poor structure
Old Navy’s petite wide leg has a 26-inch inseam, a 10.5-inch rise, and a 22-inch leg opening. The proportions on paper are good for petites. In practice, the lightweight fabric does not have enough structure to maintain the wide-leg drape.
By mid-morning on my first wear, the wide legs were clinging to my thighs rather than draping. The fabric is simply too thin and too stretchy to hold a wide-leg shape. Wide-leg jeans need denim with some rigidity, and Old Navy’s fabric does not provide it.
After washing, the wide-leg shape reset briefly but collapsed again within a couple hours of wear. If you want petite wide-leg jeans, invest in a pair with heavier, more structured denim. My Petite Wide Leg Jeans covers better options at various price points.
Rockstar Super Skinny Petite: the most wearable style
Old Navy’s super skinny is where the lightweight, stretchy fabric actually works in your favor. Skinny jeans are meant to cling, so the soft, elastic fabric feels comfortable rather than limp. The 26-inch petite inseam hits at the ankle, and the 9.5-inch rise is a good mid-rise for petites.
These are essentially structured leggings. The stretch blend (85% cotton, 13% polyester, 2% elastane) is the stretchiest of any pair I tested across all brands. They do not look or feel like traditional denim, but for a casual, easy-wearing petite skinny, they do the job.
Stretch-out in the knees is the main issue. By mid-afternoon, the knee area bags out, and by the end of the day, the skinny silhouette around the knees looks more like a straight leg. A wash resets everything, but you will need to wash these after every two to three wears to maintain the skinny shape. Old Navy Rockstar Skinny Petite Jeans on Amazon
Original Boot Petite: skip it
Old Navy’s petite bootcut has a 26-inch inseam and a 17-inch hem opening. The bootcut silhouette is subtle, almost too subtle, reading more as a straight leg with a very slight flare. The lightweight fabric cannot hold the gentle boot shape, and by mid-day the lower leg looks like a straight leg.
If you want a petite bootcut, Levi’s 315 Petite is a far better option with proper structure and a more defined boot opening. See my Petite Bootcut Jeans for alternatives.
Old Navy petite sizing notes
Old Navy petite runs about half a size large in the waist. I wear a 27 in most brands but sized down to a 4 (equivalent to a 26-27) at Old Navy and still had room. The hip and thigh measurements are more accurate to true size.
The petite size range runs from 0 to 20 in most styles, which is one of the most inclusive petite size ranges available. Old Navy deserves credit for offering petite across a wider size spectrum than most brands, including premium ones.
In-store availability for petite is better at Old Navy than almost any other brand. Most locations carry at least two or three petite styles on the floor, whereas many brands are online-only for petite sizes.
How Old Navy petite compares to the competition
Against Abercrombie petite ($80-$100): Abercrombie wins on fabric quality, stretch retention, and shape maintenance. Old Navy wins on price and in-store availability. If you can spend $80, go Abercrombie.
Against Target’s Universal Thread petite ($25-$35): similar price point, similar quality. Old Navy has slightly better petite proportional adjustments, while Universal Thread has slightly better fabric weight. It is a toss-up at this tier.
Against Madewell petite ($128-$148): different leagues. Madewell’s fabric, construction, and proportional accuracy are significantly better. Old Navy is not trying to compete here, and it does not need to.
The verdict
Old Navy petite jeans serve a specific purpose: they are the most affordable and accessible petite denim available, and they are best treated as seasonal, disposable basics. The OG Straight Petite and Rockstar Super Skinny Petite are the two styles worth buying. Skip the wide-leg and bootcut, which need more fabric structure than Old Navy’s lightweight denim can provide.
If you are new to petite denim and want to test different silhouettes without spending $100+ per pair, Old Navy is a reasonable starting point. If you already know what silhouettes work for you and want denim that lasts beyond one season, invest in Madewell, Abercrombie, or one of the picks in our Best Jeans For Petite Women.
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FAQ
Do Old Navy petite jeans run true to size?
They run about half a size large in the waist. I recommend sizing down one size from your usual Old Navy size, or checking the size chart and going by waist measurement rather than your usual number.
How long do Old Navy petite jeans last?
With regular wear (three to four days per week), expect one to two seasons of good wear before stretch-out and fading become too noticeable. They are not built for long-term durability, and the price reflects that.
What is the best Old Navy petite jean style?
The OG Straight Petite is the best all-around option. The Rockstar Super Skinny is good if you want a soft, stretchy skinny. Avoid the wide-leg and bootcut, which need heavier fabric than Old Navy uses.
Does Old Navy carry petite in stores?
Yes, most Old Navy locations stock at least a few petite styles in-store, which is more than most brands offer. Selection varies by store, but the OG Straight Petite is the style most commonly found on the floor.
