I’m a tiny 5ft 1 and buying jeans is a nightmare – so I tried 12 different looks from six different brands

JEANS are a staple of most women’s wardrobes. But at 5ft 1in, I’ve always felt left out of the trend.

More and more brands offer petite lines but I struggle to buy trousers that fit my short legs. Most either drown my size 6 frame or look like they were made for a child, meaning they don’t even fit over my bum.

Dan WilliamsJosie tries six different brands and ten styles of jeans before marking them out of ten[/caption]

Now in my late 20s, I’ve settled on a style which works for me, which tends to be a knee-length dress with boots or heels.

But I am often asked why I never wear trousers. Last week, when the rain was lashing down, a colleague told me my outfit was way too optimistically spring-like.

So I decided to try six different brands, ten styles of jeans – to see if ANY actually work for me – and marked them out of ten.

Styling by Abby McHale.

Pretty Little Thing: 7/10

Dan WilliamsWhite satin shirt, £25, Skinny jean light wash, £28[/caption]

WAIST-WISE, these were a better fit than some but they were weirdly tight on my legs, with a lot of gathered material.

They felt more like leggings than jeans, but it was nice to have the stretch around the waist. I felt like I could comfortably wear them all day, although I didn’t necessarily want to.

River Island: 9/10

Dan WilliamsWide mom jean, £46[/caption]

DING ding ding! We have a winner. Finally some proof it IS possible to get the waist and length right for someone mini like me.

Not too tight, not hanging off me, this pair hung in the right places and they were so nice, I had to take them home with me.

Boohoo: 8/9

Dan WilliamsIndigo skinny jean, £20[/caption]

THE first pair I tried and one of my favourites, giving me a false sense of optimism about how the day would pan out.

In a stretchy legging-like fabric, they were a good fit, although uncomfortably tight around the crotch area. You wouldn’t catch me doing lunges in them, that’s for sure.

River Island: 6/10

Dan WilliamsSkinny jean, £46[/caption]

ALTHOUGH these are skinnies, they were much too tight. I could just about do them up, but they didn’t sit as high as they were meant to as they weren’t big enough.

They seemed like they were made for a child, with no curves, and there’s no way they would see me through a weekend of eating and drinking.

Boohoo: 3/10

Dan WilliamsVintage wash split hem, £16[/caption]

THESE jeans were enormous, with slits that came all the way up to my ankle and a large amount of fabric trailing on the floor. The waist was way too big, with handfuls of spare material.

Both Boohoo’s jeans were the cheapest of the lot so I suppose you get what you pay for. I think it’s worth going up to the £30 mark for quality – after all, a good pair of jeans will be with you for years.

Next: 1/10

Dan WilliamsSkinny jean, £45[/caption]

I FELT bootylicious in these, but for all the wrong reasons.

They just would not come up over my bum, even though I’m a slim size six. It was impossible to even pull them up to the crotch area, let alone think about tightening the zip. Not impressed at all.

Pretty Little Thing: 3/10

Dan WilliamsBoyfriend jean, £30[/caption]

THE length on these wasn’t too bad but the width was ridiculous, especially at the thighs.

I was able to fit both my legs into one hole, which I’m sure isn’t how they’re meant to be worn. It’s crazy to think these are from the same brand that designed a pair too tight on my legs.

M&S: 6/10

Dan WilliamsGrey skinny jean, £35[/caption]

THESE jeans were too long, meaning they clumped around the ankle. But weirdly they were also too tight.

With the button done up, they were making me feel quite queasy and I was very glad I hadn’t eaten lunch yet as I squeezed myself into them.
But they looked nice in the pictures.

Next: 7/10

Dan WilliamsLight wash wide leg, £52[/caption]

THE fit on these was nice around my waist, but they were too long again – why can’t brands can’t get the length right when they’re making stuff for petite people. It’s frustrating when so many clothes feel like they’re made for 6ft models.

But aside from the length, they felt really nice, so I’ll give them a decent score for someone a bit taller than me. They’re also the priciest pair, so personally I would send them back. They’re not worth the money if the fit isn’t right.

New Look: 2/10

Dan WilliamsEmilee jeans, £32.99[/caption]

A TOTAL fail, I couldn’t even pull this pair up. They gave a whole new meaning to the “low slung” jeans trend, I’m not sure even Bella Hadid could pull this look off.

I would’ve expected more given they were a stretchy legging material, with no zip or buttons, but had no joy.