A while back I bought 2 pairs of jeans, a size 18, and a size 16, same brand, same style. The thing is I didn't realize the 16s were a petite (16P) where as the 18s were average (18A), they're from Walmart, cheap jeans. I'm 5'6" so I'm not petite by any stretch of the imagination.

My 18s are way big now but these particular 16s are so tight I can't wear them. I know brands can vary, so it doesn't phase me that I do have size 16s that fit just fine, and even a pair of 18s that still fit just fine in a different brand. But since these are virtually the same jean it made me confused.

Question is, are petites just shorter? That's what I thought, but it's just weird that even right out of the dryer the 18s are too big, but the 16s are so incredibly tight. Makes me wonder if they are just smaller as a whole.

I was just going to roll them up into capris, but I can't even wear them they are too uncomfortable.

Petite is usually cut differently than regular or average to account for a person of smaller proportions. A 16P might be closer to a 14R (but not quite).

I always thought that petite sizes were just shorter.

Its possible that the size difference is just a fluke/flaw....whatever you wanna call it. I did the same thing at Old Navy last summer. 2 pairs of jean capris - the EXACT same style, just different colors and sizes - one in 12 and the other 14. The 12's were HUGE and the 14's fit.

Ahhhh yes, that does make sense!

If you want short, you go for Short vs Petite. Although short is really what I need, I have to often wear petites for my short legs.

I definitely don't need short, or petite, just bought it by accident. I have a short waist and longer legs, it's awkward! lol

Yeah they're definitely cut a bit different like Sontaikle said. I have some 12L that fit perfectly but 12r would probably be a bit tight. I possibly have long legs or maybe I'm just pretending I fit into a 12 haha

I'll put it this way, I am 5'8" and I will never be able to fit into Petite sizes because I'm too tall.

I can sometimes pull off petite in tops & dresses only. Probably the reason the pants don't fit is because the rise (crotch area) is shorter in petites. I can't wear petite pants because of that issue. I'd return them. This is why I try EVERYTHING on. I'm always surprised at how some things look differently once you have them on your body.

Petite sizes are for people 5'4 and under I think. I am 5'4 1/2 so I usually find the pants are just a smidge too short and average length is too long. It sucks!

The rise of the jeans and the inseam tend to be shorter than a regular size, even if the style is the same.

I am petite in height but not build or proportions for anything but my torso (I have a VERY short torso but extremely long legs, for my size) so a petite top is perfect provided it isn't cut too narrowly in the bust, but petite pants are always high water on my at the legs. However given my short waist, the rise of those pants is perfect, it is really just the inseam that is too short (because my only body part that isn't petite is the measurement between my hip bone and knee - long, lean thighs).

Clear as mud?

Lol. I'm partially understanding it and partially more confused than before!

From my understanding the petites would basically sit lower, like at my hips, instead of a little bit higher, which might explain why they are so tight.

As an experiment I tried on some 14s I have. While the legs on the 14s are much tighter than the petite 16, the tightness level was the same.

My conclusion is that it would be safe indeed to buy a new pair of AVERAGE/REGULAR 16s, and to always try things on before I buy.

Something funny about petite vs. regular. I am 5'6" 1/2 and not petite by any means. I have always had issues with my shirts. I didn't know what the problem was. I went to get my hair cut one day. I was talking with the stylists in there about my weight loss, etc. They are all into fashion, so I asked them what was wrong with my shirt. It didn't fit right, but I didn't know what was wrong. They told me that I needed to buy that style shirt in a petite. The reason being is because my waist is high (legs look very long because my waist is high). When I wear a regular shirt, it looks too long and actually makes me look shorter and dumpy. Also, I have long arms. If I get a shirt that's elbow length, it actually fits me like a regular short sleeve. If I get a petite, 3/4 length sleeve, it's actually an elbow length shirt.

This is o/t from what the original poster asked, but maybe it will help someone else. I went 42 years not understanding why my shirts didn't fit me right.

Yes, likely it is hitting your body in such a way that the proportion of the garment doesn't fit the proportion of your body. That is why petite, regular, and tall exist. The torso and femur length can vary GREATLY among women of the exact same height, because their proportions vary despite their overall same 'size' as humans of _____ inches of height.

Example: Your hip bone may be three inches lower than my hip bone, even though we could be the same height. Would the same size and style of pants flatter both of us if the curve of the garment hit me at a sweet spot and you at a trouble spot, because of the difference in our proportions? It may be that you would need the longer, regular size and have a tailor hem the legs to get the longer rise without the longer inseam, where I could wear it off the shelf because the longer legs fit me just fine.

As Diana said, a woman with a short torso may be any height (she is three inches taller than me) and yet we both must choose petite tops in some styles, because the longer hemline will make us look like we're playing dress up in someone's else's bigger clothes, with the way our upper halves are proportioned

It is really helpful when picking clothing not only to know your overall silhouette (bowling pin, spoon, ruler, hourglass, inverted triangle, whatever) but also your proportions (short torso/long leg body type, long torso/short leg body type, or a combination of the two that can be right in the middle or tend toward one or the other). That will help you dress in cuts and styles that truly flatter all aspects of your figure, and can eliminate much guesswork.

Technically I AM petite at 5'3" but I cannot wear petite pants (shirts are ok). The pants are always too short on me...

I found that my inseam is 31" therefore my legs are too long for most petite pants. Unfortunately with most regular pants having a 32" inseam, they are too long for me.

I've actually done well buying the larger girls sizes—they have a 31" inseam. The challenge is finding pants that do not have unicorns on the butt.