Jeans that Run Small: J Brand 10" Skinny

March 5, 2009

I‘ve heard the J Brand 10″ skinny jean ran really small, so I had to search it out and test it for myself. Skinny jeans are supposed to fit nice and snug all the way down the thigh and leg, but on someone really petite, finding this snug fit is really hard to come by. My usual problem is the jeans are still too baggy in the thigh and leg…go figure…too skinny for skinny jeans…who knew? All my attempts at finding truly skinny skinny jeans have yielded no real success…until now.

J Brand 10″ Low Rise Skinny, DVF top, Cole Haan Shoes


These are the J Brand 10″ skinny jean in size 24! The 10″ refers to the leg opening at the bottom, so the taper on this jean is the skinniest of the J Brand fits, and the low rise is great for petites. The only alteration these would really need is to get the waist taken in a bit! I’m still amazed I found jeans that actually hug my little legs!

Unfortunately, I had to pass on purchasing these jeans because I did not like the back pockets. I felt the back pockets were a bit too big for my small frame, but I was really happy with the fit overall. If you like jeans with a bigger back pocket, or simply don’t mind them, then you have to try these out! Also, make sure to try the 10″ skinny jean, because I also tried on the 12″ pencil jean, which was not as fitted or flattering.

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  • Anonymous

    You should check out the Asos.com Petite range. I’m not quite as petite as you, but the best fitting skinny jeans I found have been from that site. They’re UK based but ship globally, very trend-driven so if there’s nothing that strikes your fancy check back in another 2-3 weeks. Always something new.

    I’m 5’1″ and 105 pounds and wear their size 8, so I think their 4 would fit you (smallest UK size). I’ve returned w/out problems if I had a size issue. Also there’s more petite stuff hidden on their site, from home page under “Clearance” and “Last chance to get”.

    Good luck!

  • Alterations Needed

    Thanks for the ASOS heads up! Good to hear their jeans are a good fit.

  • Anonymous

    Another brand to consider (though maybe not everyone’s style): Dollhouse skinny jeans (I bought a pair last year). The hips and lower rise fit well, back pockets OK (could be be smaller); only alteration needed was the length of the legs, but easy to do at home, and cheap to have done by a pro.

    –Y

  • Anonymous

    Hi! You look fab in the 910's! Like you I am petite (5'2", 47kg & a UK size 6)& find buying jeans/trousers very tricky! I have just bought a pair of the 910's in black (size 24) & they fit like a glove (though a little loose in the waist). I'm wondering if I should return them & size down as everybody says the jeans stretch out with wear. Did you size down in the 910's? Any help will be very much appreciated! Jules

  • Alterations Needed

    I never ended up getting the J Brands because the back pockets were a bit too bit for my frame =(. But the ones I tried on were size 24 and I would have also needed to take in the waist. As far as stretching goes…I’m not sure about J Brands, but size 23 is hard to come by, so if you can find them, definitely give them a shot!

  • Stacey

    I'm not quite as thin as you anymore and am 5'2", but I love Delias for inexpensive jeans that run small. I think they have 00 (I wear a 0) and they come in various inseam lengths. They're my little secret!

    JBrands stretch too much.

  • Christie

    I found size 22 & 23 J Brand jeans at a couple Nordstrom Racks in Seattle. They looked so small! If you are not in the Seattle area, you could friend a salesperson and have them scout out these sizes and/or have them shipped from another store. You would have to do this at a regular Nordstrom store, it would not be Rack prices but finding a great fitting jeans is worth it.

  • Alterations Needed

    Hi Christie! I ended up finding a pair of size 23's at a Rack here in Socal too! They fit great! I couldn't imagine going down to a size 22! I simply wouldn't fit!

    I just still don't like the J Brand pockets. I wish they were smaller.

  • Cindy

    Greetings! Have you tried J. Brands in kids? You'll definitely fit big girls size 12; even 10 might fit you! Not sure if you've tried the J. Brand for kids, but it's definitely worth a try….they fit perfectly, I wear size 14 cuz I'm starting to turn into a chunkster! EEK!

  • gisellethegreat

    Hi everyone – you should all try the Ritchie Jean by James Jeans. They fit beautifully and provide perkiness in all the right places. A size 24 fits like a glove, very fitted but allows for stretching. To give you some comparison, I wear a size 25 in Seven Jeans. One last thought, Levi's Girls Skinny Jeans are about $20.00 at Macy's and they fit very nicely. Good luck ladies.

  • Cindy

    Greetings! Have you tried J. Brands in kids? You'll definitely fit big girls size 12; even 10 might fit you! Not sure if you've tried the J. Brand for kids, but it's definitely worth a try….they fit perfectly, I wear size 14 cuz I'm starting to turn into a chunkster! EEK!

  • Anonymous

    Hi! You look fab in the 910's! Like you I am petite (5'2", 47kg & a UK size 6)& find buying jeans/trousers very tricky! I have just bought a pair of the 910's in black (size 24) & they fit like a glove (though a little loose in the waist). I'm wondering if I should return them & size down as everybody says the jeans stretch out with wear. Did you size down in the 910's? Any help will be very much appreciated! Jules

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