Where my little ladies [1] at? As a 5'2" fitness addict who is currently wearing a size 23 petite pair of jeans (that almost needed hemming), I feel your struggle when it comes to finding the perfect pair of running tights [2] that don't need to be cuffed four or five times or a long-sleeved active tee that doesn't swallow you whole and make you look like you're wearing a neon pink potato sack.
Fortunately, there are some really incredible brands making tiny clothes [3] for tiny people like you and me. With shorter inseams, customizable lengths, dedicated petite sections, and free tailoring, these brands are the ultimate destination for an activewear-loving petite shopper. Find what you need for any activity, any class, anytime.
— Additional reporting by India Yaffe
Lululemon
It's pretty well-known that Lulu's sizing skews particularly small. With a size two equating to an XXS, everything seems to be well-tailored to a petite frame. Even the svelte, tall models on its website wear a size six, meaning sizes two and four are really, really small. My favourite finds? The 7/8-length pants (I own these, and they're great!), which hit perfectly at the top of my feet as full-length pants. The brand also offers free hemming on all its products, including tops, so you can adjust to the right length.
High Times 7/8 Pant [4] ($98)
Align Pant [5] ($98)
On The Fly Pant [6] ($98)
Free to Be Bra [7] ($48)
Outdoor Voices
Another brand with a great 7/8 pants is Outdoor Voices. But the great part about its pants? They're already a bit smaller to begin with. The average women's pants inseam is 32 inches, but OV offers full-length leggings with a standard 28-inch inseam and 7/8 pants with a 26-inch inseam. Its XS sizing is quite snug, and I would equate it to a size 23 or 24 fit.
7/8 Two-Tone Legging [8] ($85)
7/8 Springs Legging [9] ($85)
Athleta
With petite sizing offerings, Athleta is a dream for short shoppers, especially with a 23-inch inseam on 7/8 pants. Its petite-specific products extend into tops as well, which is great for all of us with a particularly small torso.
Cloudlight Asym Side Tie Tank [10] ($49)
Colourblock Contender 7/8 Tight [11] ($89)
Old Navy
Did you know that OldNavy.com has a dedicated category page for petite activewear [12]? Bless them. You can get the "it was tailored for me" feeling without the "it was tailored for me" price — and that, friends, is a beautiful thing.
Relaxed Mesh-Back Fly-Away Tank [13] ($20)
High-Rise 7/8-Length Colour-Block Compression Leggings [14] ($33)
Alala
Alala active is another brand that I've found to have particularly small sizing — the XS in both tops and bottoms is quite snug, and the leggings at full length have a 27.5-inch inseam. It's also got plenty of light-support sports bras for those who are petite up top, too. Bonus: its aesthetic is so fashion forward and stylish.
Mirage Sports Bra [15] ($75)
Captain Ankle Tight [16] ($110)
Nike
Nike was the first activewear brand I ever tried, and it's worked for my small frame for years. It too offers a shorter inseam for leggings (27.5 inches, typically), and its XS products skew small (I've even sized up to an S in some items, which is super rare for me!). This comes in handy for long-sleeved tees with those convenient little thumb holes for running — you don't have to bunch up the arms to get the right fit. Like Lululemon, Nike offers free pant hemming in-store.
Nike Therma Sphere Element Women's Running Top [17] ($75)
Nike Power Epic Lux Crop Running Tights [18] ($85)
Nike Sportswear Women's Leggings [19] ($50)
Nike Pro Indy Logo Sports Bra [20] ($40)
Nordstrom
Nordstrom is a haven for fit petite shoppers for reasons beyond its own active brand (Zella, which offers a 29-inch inseam on full-length pants). Not only does it offer brands like Nike, Outdoor Voices, and a myriad of top activewear lines, but it also offers free tailoring [21] (not just hemming) on any product you buy from Nordstrom. Seriously. Just pick any brand you love, and let the Nordstrom tailors custom-fit the product to your body. FO FREE.
Zella Live In Leggings [22] ($54)
Zella Vinyasa Sports Bra
Zella Vinyasa Sports Bra [23] ($49)
Forever 21
My 4'11" best friend loves her Forever 21 active pants. While the 28-inch inseam still bunches at the ankles for her, it's still four whole inches shorter than the average pant inseam. Its XS is true to size, and the price is extremely low compared to other brands.
Active Stretch-Knit Leggings [24] ($20)
Active Rainbow-Striped Zip-Up Hoodie [25] ($20)