If there’s one thing trickier than finding pants that fit my petite 5-foot-3 frame, it’s getting my hands on packable pants that travel well and don’t crowd my bag with their bulk. After falling in love with my Vuori down puffer coat this winter, I thought I’d try the brand’s wide-leg Villa pants for spring and summer travel. I’m here to tell you—I’m in love!
When I first slipped on these buttery black pants, I could tell it was the start of a beautiful relationship. Made up of 45 percent recycled polyester, 41 percent polyester, and 14 percent Elastane, these Vuori pants boastthe magic blend for comfort, stretch, and lightweightness, allowing them almost to disappear when you roll them up for your suitcase (maybe I was hungry, when I rolled them up, all I could think of was that these Vuori Villa pants looked just like a compact package about the size of a Chipotle burrito).
Vuori Villa Wide-leg Pants
Vuori
And, going with the theme, if you rolled the matching Villa Cropped Tank in aluminum foil (not saying you should), you’d swear it was a side tortilla. Trust me, these are some seriously small bundles. But what impressed me most was that, after unrolling—even several hours later—the pants remained in perfect condition and I could slip them on for a day of adventure thanks to the fabric’s wrinkle-free properties. I thought I might have to give them a quick steam, but thankfully, they’re very much grab-and-go pants.
The fabric also shines with its light-as-air feel. That, combined with the wide, stretchy waistband, which sits high and relaxed, gives me just enough room to move around without overheating or feeling restricted. But as comfortable as these pants are, they don’t look like you’re wearing them for comfort, if you know what I mean. Let’s just say I had one friend who looked a little shocked when I told her they were Vuori, because they don’t come off as athletic clothing, especially in black. However, make no mistake, they do deliver all the benefits of athletic wear since they’re designed to stretch and wick away moisture.
Vuori Villa Wide-leg Pants
Vuori
If you’re petite like me, you know the struggle of buying normal-size pants; they must be rolled, hemmed, or worn with your tallest pair of platform shoes. The fact that Vuori offers short, regular, and long length options makes me love this brand even more. In the warmer months, you’ll find me tooling around in flip-flops more often than not, and these pants go perfectly with my flat summer shoes; no dragging, draping, or dusting the floors. I’ve also paired them with a short heel to dress up the look for a nice evening dinner out, and the length still looks great.
Another important reason they’re mainstays in my suitcase is their versatility. Sure, they’re excellent pants for lounging and casual itinerary activities. But I’ve figured out how to use them to double my outfit options with a deceiving hack: pairing them with a black tank so it looks like a jumpsuit. This way, I get the same easy, flattering look without the public (or airplane) restroom struggles. I’ve also worn this outfit with a baseball cap on a home tour, with my favorite travel fedora at an art show, and with a jean jacket for the evening. They really are the pants version of the LBD (little black dress).
Travel + Leisure
And I’m not alone in my love for these lightweight packable pants. Over in the reviews section, Vuori shoppers have given them a combined 4.7-star rating. They’ve racked up nearly 1,000 glowing reviews, with customers calling them “heavenly pants” and declaring, “I’m going to live in them. No one will stop me!” Chiming in, a petite shopper added, “I’m 5-foot-3 and I struggle to find pants that are a good length. These pants are perfect, from the fit to the length to the comfort.”
Vuori Villa Wide-leg Pants
Vuori
Allow me to say that we’re fortunate to live in a time when athleisure is now considered more than workout gear. With upcoming trips to southern Arizona wine country, the mountains of Colorado, and the California beaches, I see the Vuori Villa Wide-leg Pants and a cropped tank being on heavy rotation in the coming months. And since I’m sure to have plenty of time at home, sweating it out in the Arizona summer, I love knowing I can reach for these lightweight, airy pants for a chic, comfortable look.
Still on the hunt for the perfect petite pants? Keep scrolling to see the other petite-friendly styles I found from around the web that are equally great for travel.
More Petite Pants to Shop:
Frank & Eileen Catherine Favorite Sweatpants
Frank & Eileen
Anrabess Cropped Wide-leg Palazzo Pants
Amazon
Quince 100% European Linen Wide-leg Pants
Quince
Athleta Venice Wide-leg Cargo Pants
Athleta
Spanx Air Essentials Wide-leg Pants
Spanx
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