Where my little ladies 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 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 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.

 

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.  Our favorite finds?  The 7/8-length pants (they're great!), which hit perfectly at the top of your 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 ($98)

 

Align Pant ($98)

 

Jet Pant ($98)

 

Free to Be Bra ($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 Tri-Tone Warmup Legging ($90)

 

Dipped Warmup Legging ($95)

 

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.

Daily Tank ($39)

 

Energy Power Up 7/8 Tight ($84)

 

Old Navy

Did you know that OldNavy.com has a dedicated category page for petite activewear?  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.

Go-Dry Cool 2-in-1 Tank ($24)

 

Mesh-Trim Compression Leggings ($30)

 

Lucy Activewear

Lucy is one of the only brands to offer a pant in a size XXS (these, pictured) PLUS customizable length.  You'll get a seriously tailored fit, without having to jump through any hoops.  In general, it offers more of a snug fit with other products, so you'll have a lot of luck with tops and bras, too.

Perfect Core Pant ($108)

 

Let It Be Bra Tank ($65)

 

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.

The Cut Bra ($75)

 

Captain Ankle Tight ($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.

Dri-FIT Cool Women's Running Top ($45)

 

Legendary Fabric Twist Tight Women's Training Capris ($72)

 

Legendary Sculpt Tight Women's Training Pants ($100)

 

Pro Indy Cool Women's Light Support Bra ($50)

 

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 (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 ($52)

 

Zella Starlight Racerback Sports Bra ($48)

 

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 Mesh-Paneled Leggings ($23)

 

Active Heathered Pullover ($25)