Wondering where to buy shorter length jeans? You’re in the right place. Here’s a list of places to buy men’s jeans with shorter inseams.
Jeans have been a men’s wardrobe staple for many decades, and they’re not going out of style anytime soon.
And why should they? They can easily be dressed up or down and are basically one of the most versatile and comfortable pieces of clothing a man can wear.
Heck, you can even wear them to the office these days (okay, maybe just on casual Fridays).
This is why almost every major clothing brand on the planet sells jeans. But, as with all clothing items for short men, most brands do not cater to our needs (in fact, they ignore men under 5’8″).
Though getting jeans hemmed is a fairly simple and affordable alteration, it isn’t always an option. Maybe you don’t have a tailor you can trust, can’t afford one, or are just really busy.
Sometimes it’s better if jeans just fit properly, right off the rack, which is why I’ve compiled for you a list of brands that make shorter jeans.
Specifically, the brands listed below sell jeans with inseams shorter than 30 inches.
Disclaimer: Some of the mentioned sizes may be exclusive to certain areas and/or stores. Always check online or call to double check!
Quick Take
Short on time? Here are our top three picks for the best places to buy jeans with shorter inseams:
Ash & Erie is a brand that focuses specifically on shorter men's fashion. They make shirts and pants, including slim fit and slightly stretchy jeans with inseams as short as 25 inches.
Under 510 makes clothes specifically for, you guessed it, guys under 5’10” (which is the average height of an adult American male).
When you decide to upgrade from basic denim brands like Levi’s to designer jeans, Nudie is a great “entry level” choice.
If you want more options and details, here’s the full list…
Where to Buy Jeans with Shorter Inseams
Here they are…
Levi’s
- Shortest Inseam: 28 inches
- Price: $50-130
Levi’s is known throughout the world as the largest supplier of jeans, so it makes sense that their jeans are available in many different sizes.
Levi’s also offers a wide variety of fits, styles and washes to choose from. My personal favorite cut is the 510 (which they call “skinny”), but many men prefer the classic 511 slim jeans.
Note: In some countries, Levi’s offers jeans with inseams down to 27 inches.
Ash & Erie
- Shortest Inseam: 25 inches
- Price: $158
Ash & Erie is a brand that focuses specifically on shorter men’s fashion. They make shirts and pants, including slim fit and slightly stretchy jeans with inseams as short as 25 inches.
Currently, they offer three different washes and a wide range of waist sizes (from 28 all the way up to 38).
For more pictures, check out my full Ash & Erie review.
Under 510
- Shortest Inseam: 25 inches
- Price: $60
Under 510 makes clothes specifically for, you guessed it, guys under 5’10” (which is the average height of an adult American male).
Their jeans come in a few different colors and rinses, all of which are cut for a slim, tapered look.
At $60 per pair, they’re pretty affordable for jeans that don’t need to be hemmed.
Bantam Clothing
- Shortest Inseam: 26 inches
- Price: £35
For UK- and EU-based readers who want to avoid shipping costs and import duties from American brands, you’ll want to check out Bantam Clothing.
At the time of writing, this new brand sells jeans down to 26″ in two different colors (dark blue and black).
These jeans are done in a slim, tapered cut. They’re made with 2% elastane for stretch, which is basically standard these days.
Bantam Clothing also offers bundle discounts when you buy more than one pair of jeans.
Gap
- Shortest Inseam: 28 inches
- Price: $60-108
Gap is known for their low-mid quality, affordable clothing. They provide a large variety of denim, including cuts and styles that will work for most body types.
I actually love their Stretch Skinny jeans, which were the underdog favorite in my best jeans for slim men post.
Just don’t expect their jeans to last forever. They’re not very high quality and will definitely wear out (and stretch out) more quickly than more premium denim.
Banana Republic
- Shortest Inseam: 28 inches
- Price: $89-198
Banana Republic is one step up from Gap in terms of quality, but it’s still pretty affordable. They also have a wide variety of denim available with shorter inseams.
BR isn’t exactly known for their denim, but they’re worth checking out. Many of their jeans are made with comfort in mind, so they have plenty of stretch built in (which is crucial for those of us who prefer a slim fit).
American Eagle
- Shortest Inseam: 28 inches
- Price: $50-80
American Eagle is definitely geared toward younger men, but that doesn’t mean their jeans can’t work for guys in their 20s and 30s too.
Just be sure to avoid jeans with too much fading or distressing. It’s hard not to look like a teenager when your jeans look used right off the rack.
Note: In some areas, AE offers jeans with 26 and 27 inch inseams.
Wrangler
- Shortest Inseam: 28 inches
- Price: $25-125
Wrangler makes classic jeans for working men. Traditionally, they’ve focused more on utility and durability than style or trends.
These days, they offer a variety of cuts and washes, but don’t expect their “slim fit” jeans to fit like, say, Uniqlo’s slim fit jeans.
Land’s End
- Shortest Inseam: 26 inches
- Price: $60-150
Land’s End specializes in casual clothing, and they’re not exactly known for their jeans.
But, believe it or not, they do sell a good-looking pair of slim fit, dark wash jeans (available down to 28×26 with custom hemming).
Just keep in mind, their version of “slim” will not be as slim as a more modern brand like Uniqlo or Nudie.
But, they do offer custom hemming down to 26 inches, which means they’ll hem your jeans for you before they ship them to your house.
Lee
- Shortest Inseam: 28 inches
- Price: $36-170
Like Wrangler, Lee is an old brand that is trying to keep up with the times by offering slim fit jeans with stretch.
They sell jeans down to 28×28, which is pretty small, and they offer a variety of fits (including straight and tapered leg).
I haven’t tried a pair of Lee jeans on in, well, a long time. So I can’t vouch for them.
But if you’re looking for an affordable pair of jeans that doesn’t need to be hemmed (at least down to 28″), and you prefer a more classic aesthetic, Lee might be worth a try.
Everlane
- Shortest Inseam: 28″
- Price: $60-80
Everlane may be best known for their mission to be radically transparent, but they happen to make a great pair of jeans.
At the time of writing, they offer four different fits – relaxed, slim, skinny, athletic – in a variety of colors down to 28 inches.
Everlane is a contemporary brand, so their “skinny” fit is actually very skinny. I think their slim fit or athletic fit will be the best option for most guys.
Dearborn Denim
- Shortest Inseam: 28 inches
- Price: $60-80
Chicago-based Dearborn Denim sells affordable, made-in-USA jeans for men and women.
Their jeans are available in four different cuts, from slim to classic, and a handful of classic colors.
One thing to keep in mind: Dearborn jeans run small in the waist (no vanity sizing). So when in doubt, size up.
Days of September
- Shortest Inseam: 24 inches
- Price: $89
Days of September sells selvedge jeans for surprisingly affordable prices.
They offer basic, non-distressed colors like classic indigo and black.
When you order a pair of jeans, you can select an exact inseam length, all the way down to 24 inches.
This is great because you can get the exact right length while preserving the original chainstitch hem.
Nudie
- Shortest Inseam: 30 inches
- Price: $180-400
When you decide to upgrade from basic denim brands like Levi’s to designer jeans, Nudie is a great “entry level” choice.
Expensive but not overpriced, Nudie offers a wide range of different fits, washes and fabrics, including plenty of raw denim.
Before you buy a pair, read our full Nudie Jeans review.
Amazon Essentials
- Shortest Inseam: 28 inches
- Price: $26 – 35
Amazon Essentials jeans are a good option for anyone on a tight budget. They’re available in a nice range of colors, washes and sizes, including 28″ inseams.
You can also find Amazon Essentials jeans in different cuts, including slim, athletic (more of a straight leg) and skinny.
All three fits have some stretch built in.
Amazon Goodthreads
- Shortest Inseam: 28 inches
- Price: $18 – 50
Amazon Goodthreads jeans are a slight upgrade from Amazon Essentials. The higher quality denim and construction is worth the extra money, in my opinion.
These are available in a handful of basic colors and a wide range of sizes, especially for guys who need a larger waist.
Bonobos
- Shortest Inseam: 28 inches
- Price: $100-180
Bonobos may be most well-known for their chinos and shorts, but they make a solid pair of 28″ inseam jeans too.
These are comparable to J.Crew in terms of quality, and they’re available in a variety of size-cut combinations, including slim-taper and athletic fits.
Uniqlo
- Shortest Inseam: n/a
- Price: $40-60
Uniqlo doesn’t actually make jeans with inseams shorter than 32 inches, but they do offer free, same-day hemming at all of their stores.
So if you live near a Uniqlo store, I recommend checking out their jeans. They look and fit great, and they’re priced very reasonably.
Which Brands Will You Try?
Us shorter guys are used to visiting the tailor and paying extra to make sure our clothes fit properly. So it’s nice to find something that fits off the rack, at least every now and then.
For that reason, I salute any brand that makes shorter length jeans, and I hope that this list will be much longer in the future.
Questions? Comments? Leave them below!
If I may add, Jimmy Au’s For Men 5’8″ and Under in Sherman Oaks, CA also carries short rise jeans in 30″, 29″ and some 28″ inseams. Made of premium denim in 4 short rise fits; classic (think dad jeans for shorter guys), modern fit (slimmer fit), slim fit, and a tapered fit (modern fit in the hips/thigh but tapered to a slim fit at the hem. Comes in a variety of denim washes and finishes in shades of indigo and navy blues, black, gray, tan, olive, beige and white. Available in seasonal weight fabrics from Spring, Summer, Fall to Winter. Any additional hem adjustments can be taken care of with our in-house tailor shop. Prices range from $250.00 to $325.00.
One of the best sources for a perfect fit for me turned out to be from Levis. Boy’s Husky size 12 turns out to be exactly the 32X27 that I need. And Levis boys sizes are made to last, just like the “adult” versions. Search Levis Boys Husky size chart to find your best fit there.
in my recent experience, the Lee “28in” are 29in length and the 29’s are now longer… i didn’t bother exploring any further than that.
Great article!
Very interesting list you have there! Will definitely buy one for myself. Thanks for sharing!
Stay safe and cool.
Cheers!
Where can I find the Basic Editions stretch pants in size 40 +×29
Bonobos has shorter jeans! I’m going to try my first pair this week.
Regarding most of the bigger brands above that claim to have 28 inch inseams—good luck finding them. I never have.
I’ve got some 28” inseam Mavi jeans from stitch fix…but they don’t have any true blue jeans, only colored denim. Mine are tan.
I’ve ordered some Dearborn jeans. The first 28” inseams I got were 3-4 inches too long. Awaiting the exchange pair. Hoping the original pair were sized wrong.
Best luck I’ve had is buying Levi’s kids 511 jeans with the stretch fit in 28/28.
I was able to get 28″ inseams from https://www.carhartt.com/.
Hi Brock, tried to make sure someone hadn’t already mentioned them but ASOS and H&M have Jean’s down to 30L. Where they fall shirt (no pun intended) is in higher waist sizes, e.g. 40, 42. Also, most their Jean’s and pants are low rise so be very careful to look at the models and read the descriptions. You may have to go with plus to get waist over 38″. ASOS also sells other brands.
What if I’m a little gutt heavy? which one has a lower or low rise fit?
If you have a Nordstrom card and purchase their jeans, the tailoring will be free.
These are NOT for short men! Hell, Walmart sells shorter inseam jeans. SHORT would be from 20″ to 26″. Anything longer than 26″ inseam can be found Everywhere.
DXL goes down to a 28 inseam on alot of the pants they carry. I prefer to use the DXL brand True Nation….and i believe they go down to like a 32 waist. Also side note….anybody near a mall..go to the Buckle.. the BKE jeans line they carry (i believe that is what it is called) they will measure and hem instore for you when you buy them.
I have a 40′ waist and a 27′ inseam. I am concerned about the leg opening at the bottom. when I have jeans altered the look very baggy!
I recommend getting them tapered when you get them hemmed. It cost a little extra, but they’ll fit much better!
Oddly enough, came across this post in a search for TALL jeans for my 12 yo son. He has FINALLY hit a 28” waist and needs a 28” inseam. Would men’s and boys sizes differ?
I no longer care about quality (good or bad) or price (low or high). I just want something that fits the kid!
At least the short guys HAVE the option to alter the length. Try being in middle school and walking around with jeans, pants or athletic pants that are two inches too short – that’s just looking to be picked on!
What’s worse is finding shirts (he prefers T-shirt’s, unfortunately) that don’t swallow him in width and are long enough in the torso and sleeves (during fall and winter).
Kim, not always true. My son is shorter than anyone who has stated a height here. Pants that fit around the waist have a crotch almost to his knees. I finally found a pair of pants that are closer to fitting, but still not a great fit been searching for years.
Lands’ End currently has Men’s Straight Fit Jeans, Item #501600-A57 that can be ordered in custom inseams from 26″ – 36″ in 1/4″ increments. I’m 5′ 5″, and I find that 26 1/2″ suits me very well, though they do have too much room in the seat for me. Get on their mailing list and wait for sales – there is always one on at 30% – 50% off. They also have one other style of jean and a number of other pants with custom hemming.
I just bought Land’s End jeans in a 28″ inseam and they were at least 3″ too long. Plus, they charge you $7 to return them unless you do so at a Land’s End store.
Just want to say the this is the first time on your site. Three cheers fo you. Good info and overall good design.
I tried all the websites you suggested and really like the jeans at banana republic but they have no 28L in 34 or 33W I checked the others and they seem to be the same. Peter Manning does but the jeans seem a bit boring. Do I have to keep checking as they replenish those sizes? Tks also great site!
thanks for all the good info and customer input. My husband usually wears Levi jeans and we do take them to a tailor he is body long but 26″ leg length-will look at Eddie Bauer and Peter Manning
You would not really expect it, but Duluth Trading sells several kinds of pants with a 28″ inseam including jeans (“Men’s DuluthFlex Ballroom Jeans”) and some basic khakis “Men’s Ballroom DuluthFlex Khaki Pants”.
A word of caution on the jeans, though — they seem to have a lot intentional and some intentional design points that make them very casual. They don’t pass for everyday or evening dark jeans. (I am only able to order online from Duluth where I live, but if you live near one check them out first)
They have a relatively high rise and an unforunate off-color stitching including the rear pockets — so if part of the reason you’re looking for a short inseam is because you are only moderately short but wear your pants low it can add up to being a bit sloppy/casual for a staple dark/indigo jean.
Lands’ End have 26″.
You’re a life saver! The 28″ I bought him still need to be altered. Thank you so much!
Boys jeans range in sizes to fit short men. 30×27 is what I got from a 16 husky in the boys section.
oops meant Eddie Bauer.
Eddie Bower has custom inseams down to 20″ in 1/4″ increments in two styles, high and low rise in dark or medium blue. Currently on sale for $35. 13.5 oz cotton.
Totally agree that Peter Manning is the MVP. Frankly, the other options are just token as they don’t even come close to serving the size needs of shorter men. At places like The Gap and Levi’s, it’s like they’ve taken a hatchet to the larger sizes to make the shorter ones. They simply look baggy and disproportional on short men.
Yes, Peter Manning for the win. They aren’t cheap but they fit great. They arrive in premium packaging and have an excellent return policy. I’m the guy above who was playing hit and miss with jeans purchased from eBay. Never again. Peter Manning all the way.
I’m trying to learn to dress better for my height and this helps a little. Let me just point out (as an impoverished Texas public schoolteacher) that if you can’t afford a tailor, you likely can’t afford most of these jeans. Also, the average American man is 5’9.5″. The average online clothing store uses models that wear medium shirts and are 6’2″. Why do manufacturers and retailers purposely sell clothes that are almost guaranteed not to fit the average man? Does that make us buy more clothes in hopes of finally finding something that fits? In my case, it makes me less likely to purchase clothes online.
Add Dickies to your list. They make a durable jean for people who don’t want holes in their knees.
L.L. Bean frequently offers 29″ inseam, and even when they don’t, their 30″ inseam is often shorter than other manufacturers’ 30″ inseam. Also, Brooks Bros. recently started selling their Men’s Advantage Chinos in a 29″ inseam, and being 5’8″, I’ve found them to be perfect.
Having been blessed with a father who was 5’5″ at his tallest, and mother who was 4’11”, I find I need 26″ inseam jeans to work for me. So most of these choices wouldn’t do it for me off the rack without alteration. And then there’s always issues with rise and overall proportional fit.
I have had some success purchasing used 26″-ish inseam jeans from eBay, and they almost always come from Thailand, where men are typically of modest size. The bottom seams when hemmed usually match the factory look very closely. It carries some risk because you can’t try them on, so you have to develop a sense of what works from looking at pictures. The only three pairs of jeans I have now that look “right” on me all came from eBay sellers in Thailand.
do you have the name of that seller?
Thanks for sharing this post. really helpful
Great blog as usual, Brock. Lots of good information. I still wear some Levi’s, but the jeans that seem to fit me well now are the Old Navy Built-in Flex Skinny Jeans. They have a medium to long rise, sit at the natural waist, and are very tapered at the legs and ankles. They are 99% cotton and 1% spandex, and while not high-end, they look, wear, and feel like more expensive jeans (they’re only about $35, sometimes less when on sale). Available in 3 colors. The fit is much more slim than skinny and is best suited for average-weight-for-height guys (for reference, I’m 5’5″, 145, and a 32 x 30 fits me well). The 30 lengths are a tad long, but because the ankle opening is very narrow, the jeans can be rolled up nicely into a cuff, or can be hemmed to fit perfectly without cuffs (usually around $15 extra for an original hem).
I found the best place to look for jeans with shorter inseam is Amazon. Look up Levi’s boys jeans and you’ll find a lot of really good cuts and colors and lengths, and you can get them in slim or husky if your waist is slimmer or wider than average. Returns are free so there’s no risk if you want to try a bunch to dial in which sizes fit you the best and return the rest afterwards. Another bonus is that since they’re “kids” clothes, they are super affordable around the $20 range, even though the quality is still exactly the same.
Thanks as always. Can you do an article on sweaters for shorter men? I am 5.4 and and never able to find sweaters to layer below coats/ blazers. Either they are baggy, too tight, sleeves too long etc.
Im 5’4 to with a 28 inch inseam do you think we look funny when sitting down on the floor..?LIKE little kids I think short little legs I feel really akward i think most people notice that to.Let me know if its just my perspective when sitting or if its true we just look bad.I tried making my legs thicker by squating in hopes of making it less noticetable in my perspextive but i think its hopeless
Two places I’ve been very happy with online have been Blue Owl Workshop and Naked and Famous (their retail outlet, technically, Tate & Yoko). They’re more “pricey denim-head” sort of sites, but they both take really good measurement info, and they both do free (!) chain-stitch hemming for your orders. And excellent customer service. Only major caveat I would mention is that some of the really-strongly-tapered denim cuts can fit a bit off if they’ve had a solid 6″ chopped off the bottom, but there’s so much variety of cuts that it’s not difficult to avoid. (And, perhaps as a given, there aren’t returns for hemmed jeans.) Happy hunting to everyone, and a hearty cheers to Brock for all the great content!
Not available online, but if you’re ever out in LA, check out Jimmy Au’s for jeans and tailored clothing. http://www.jimmyaus.com
For those reading comments for extra input:
Wrangler jeans can be found at any Target, I get them for $17.
Wrangler jeans go up to 29×38 that I’ve seen, which is a godsend for me, because not all short guys are slender.
I’m 5’2″ and a pair of 29 fits perfect if I’m wearing boots, and need a cuff if I’m wearing converse.
Wranglers are the only pair of jeans Ive worn for the past five years, no pair has worn out on me yet.
As mentioned in the article, these aren’t jeans that can be dressed up, they’re pretty much casual only.
Thanks so much for mentioning them Brock, I love these jeans, and I would love for others to find their favorite pair too
I just ordered Wranglers regular fit 28″ inseam for my husband online. The brand he wears.
Off topic a bit, but I’ve consistently found good button up shirts and flannels at American Eagle that fit a “modest” upper torso. I.e the lengths and sleeves are not too long and actually fit me good (5′-6″, 42″ chest). Most of the stuff is for teenagers and early twenty somethings but I almost always find good fitting casual button downs that fit very well, have small patterns, and are affordable. Jeans are pretty cheap and I’ve had several that have ripped at the crotch but fit well however will require a hem.
Cool. I don’t have any of these in my country.
What country?
Romania. Some levi’s products at few retailers. But nothing else.
Hmm wish I could help but I have no idea what’s available there.
Thanks for the heads up BUT although I need the shorter inseam, I also need a short rise pant in a size for “mature” short people (5’6″) . Most of these are regular rise not short enough in a 36-38 size. Does anyone make short rise pants and jeans? I have found some made in Germany but they are mega-expensive. In addition, I am shopping in $CD and need to convert then add shipping costs(and return costs when things are not as they were described). Ugh! Any suggestions? Mike
You might look at the Levi’s 510 (skinny) or 511 (regular to skinny). They’ve got 9-10″ rise, which works pretty well for those of us under 5’8″. In fact, the 511 in 32X29 are my favorite choice for jeans.
Very useful. I will see how many of these I can get in the UK or shipped to the UK? It would be really helpful to find jumpers and tops that are a shorter length. What looks good on a model who is 6ft is not going to look the same as someone who is under 5ft 8.
Eddie Bauer Relaxed Fit (for those of who find this more comfortable) offers short rise and custom inseam length in 1/4 inch increments. The ones I bought fit great, even my wife says so.
My adult son with special needs wears 34×24 pants. We used to be able to by shorter inseam from Lands End and Eddie Bauer, but not available any longer. It IS frustrating!
Dearborn Denim (www.dearborndenim.us) is worth checking out. Made in Chicago. American-made quality. Only $49. They hem the jeans to your desired length before shipping it out to you.
But they won’t go shorter than 28″. My husband needs a 24″ inseam and it’s impossible to find him pants without chopping off 4 to 6 inches. It’s frustrating since we pay $60 and up for a pair of pants, then pay to get them hemmed. (Jeans are tricky to hem yourself.) Why don’t conpanies have a true customizeable inseam? He’s just short! 5’1″
My young adult son is also a 24 inch inseam. We can’t afford custom clothing, but what are we supposed to do for office attire?? sooooo frustrating. I have yet to find anything that doesn’t look like a complete sack on him.
Why are about one half of your models turning the cuff up an inch? If that would become “stylish” then a 28″ inseam would work for a guy who needs 27″, would it not?
Rod
Well they’re not “my” models…
Thanks for this post – it’s really helpful because jeans are so versatile that a good pair or two can go a long way and is worth the cost.
Do you think that these larger brands, like Gap or Uniqlo, have good enough back pocket placement? Has that been an issue? Sometimes I wonder if my altered pants have pockets that are too low that make it look like my pants are sagging. My guess is that the Peter Manning items take all of this into consideration, though it is a bit pricier, and so that’s why I ask for your opinion before making a decision.
Some are better than others. None will be as good as PMNYC in terms of the details (pocket placement, etc.), although it’s usually not a deal breaker for me (especially with mid rise jeans).
Good point. In all my life of having to hem jeans and pants I’ve never ever thought of the effect it would have on the look of the back pockets — and I’m 60!
In the UK & Ireland, M&S usually has 29″ in store and 27″ online.
Thanks for this post. I have been on a hunt for jeans recently. I use the service Bombfell to help me with shopping. Recently they sent me slim fit jeans made by Big Star. I got a short size and the length is perfect on me and I’m 5’4″. They are definitely worth a look.