A good pair of jeans can be the most versatile part of your wardrobe. Wear them dressed up, casually, and for any occasion in between.

But, you can’t wear jeans at all if you don’t have a pair that fits correctly! Sadly, most of the time we short guys end up defaulting to ill-fitting denim simply because we couldn't find a pair that fits without heavy alterations. Can’t have that useful versatility if your jeans don’t fit.

In this article, we’ll discuss how to style jeans for short men and go through some of our favorite denim looks featuring the Bruce and Xavier jeans. Most importantly, we’ll tell you how to get the right fit.

How Jeans Should Fit on Short Guys

First, let’s break down the fit of your jeans into a few key terms. If you’ve been with us for a while, you know that these kinds of fit focal points are universal, but it’s harder to find them in the right measurements for short men.

Jeans are now the most popular type of pants for the average guy today

This is undoubtedly the most crucial measurement to get right when speaking of getting the right fit. It’s also the measurement that is most often incorrect on shorter men.

Most stores don’t typically carry inseam lengths shorter than 30”. So if you’re shorter than average height in the US (which is roughly 5’10”), that means they’ll be way too long for you. There are two solutions: You’ll either have to cuff the hem or get them tailored.

Going to the tailor is both time consuming and very expensive. This inconvenience was probably the primary motivation for creating Under 510! Cuffing jeans is actually a pretty good solution if you have jeans that are too long.

Cuffs can be functional, stylish, and are a free alternative to alterations. However, cuffs can often look clunky especially if the jeans are way too long. Plus, every guy should have jeans in the perfect inseam length, which is much cleaner and better suited for dressing up. So let’s talk about how to find the right inseam length for your jeans.

Because every guy is built differently, there is no foolproof way to figure out your proper inseam length. Additionally, even if you were to measure out your preferred inseam length, it's best to see them for yourself. We offer free returns and exchanges on all US orders, and free shipping on US orders of $150 or more, so it's free and easy to try multiple sizes. Generally though, guys that are 5’5” and below should go for a 25” inseam and those who are 5’5” or above should opt for the 28” inseam. If you fall in between, it’s best to try out a few inseam lengths, see how you look in each, and return the ones you don’t want free of charge.

We also have a full guide on inseams as well as our inseam tutorial video that you can check out for further info. Under 5’10 offers inseams that go all the way down to 25” so there’s a good chance you’ll find the length that’s perfect for you!

From a style perspective, everyone likes their jeans to lay differently. Some guys might be the same height, yet one of them may like their pants to fall really short (above the ankle) and the other may like a bit of a break at the top of the shoe. Therefore, when choosing inseams, think about how you like your jeans to lay. Also think about which shoes you are wearing with the jeans. Guys wearing sneakers would want a longer inseam than those who are wearing boots, since the height of a boot will cause bunching.

Getting the right inseam for short guys is almost always impossible - Under 510 is your solution!

The next point of focus is the fit of the crotch. If the crotch is either too tight or too loose you may be in some serious trouble. Too much room and you end up looking like you’re wearing a diaper. There’s a balloon effect that is unflattering to everyone’s shape and may offend those around you. Cue the famous “tent scene” from the first ever episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Too little room and it looks like you borrowed jeans from your sister, or worse, you’re a little too excited (if you catch my drift).

Even if you like a slim/skinny fit, your goal is to Goldilocks this one and find the fit that is just right, leaving you room to breathe without being too baggy. Unlike choosing an inseam size, there aren’t multiple options available when it comes to getting the right fit in the crotch area of your jeans.

Additionally, they can’t really be altered if the crotch is too tight or too loose. So just pay attention to whichever jeans you are wearing and steer clear of jeans that don’t accommodate your body correctly. Jeans from Under 510 are specially made to fit shorter guys, so you shouldn’t have any issues when buying jeans from our store.

Don't end up like Larry - make sure the crotch of your jeans doesn't look like someone pitched a tent down there

As someone who used to work in an office surrounded by female coworkers, I can confidently say that others will notice how your jeans make your butt look - for worse or for better.

The key to the right fit is similar to one above: you don’t want too much or too little room.

If you are wearing jeans that make your butt look saggy, you won’t be doing yourself any favors. A saggy rear is generally not an attractive look for a guy (I have my sources).

Even if you’re a comfort first kind of guy and don’t like tight clothes, try to find a pair of jeans that hugs your butt just a bit more than you’re used to. It’s better to err on the side of tight than on the side of loose here. Give yourself some shape and support!

The good news is that a lot of jeans today, including all jeans from Under 510, feature stretch content (like spandex or elastane) which is extremely helpful. The stretch fabric will allow you to get jeans that hug your butt, yet aren’t tight and uncomfortable. Again, our jeans are all designed to fit you correctly in all of the right places so be confident when giving our jeans a try. Trust me, you’re much more likely to get compliments when your rear is looking firm!

Jeans should gently hug your glutes - avoid saggy-butt-jeans at all cost

The taper of the jeans refers to the narrowing of the leg from the knee to the ankle opening. While the correct taper is a personal style choice and one that often varies with trends (Gen Z might be trying to convince you that skinny jeans are dead), we believe it is the most important fit factor when talking about jeans. It’s the one that will improve your confidence the most when you get it right.

For short men, the taper of your jeans is the secret to looking your best. This is because a skinnier fit gives you a leaner, and taller appearance. Think about how a square looks next to a vertical rectangle of equal height. The rectangle looks taller, even though it isn’t. In much the same way, baggier clothes will make you look wider and stumpier. But clothes that give you a narrower silhouette will make you look taller.

These jeans look great on Frankie because they have a taper that makes him look taller and leaner. Can you guess his height from this photo?

Additionally, the ideal masculine shape is a triangle because men stereotypically have broad shoulders, a lean torso, and toned legs.That sort of upside-down triangle shape creates a taller appearance. Even if you don’t have the ideal masculine build, don’t worry, very few of us actually do. But it is a good visual to have in mind to help you understand how things should fit.

However, if you go too skinny, you’re in danger of what I call the Sausage-Casing Effect. In other words, your legs look like they’re going to bust out of the jeans at any minute. Some guys like their jeans to be super duper skinny on the legs, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Cue Kramer trying to get his jeans off.

Taper and Skinny nomenclature are also not universal between brands. You’ll need to try out different pairs to figure out the difference between slim, skinny, tapered skinny, and super skinny to find your fit.

If your jeans are extremely difficult to get on and take off, they're probably too tight!