Jeans for short men
Todd Shelton makes all-cotton jeans in 26 and 27-inch inseams for men 5'8" and under. Available in waist sizes 28–40, four thigh fits, and standard and high rise. Made in USA.
Short inseams are an afterthought at most brands
Brands stock a narrow range of inseam lengths. Short men hem down. Hemming, as the solution, is accepted enough that short inseams never get made. Todd Shelton makes jeans in its own factory in New Jersey, USA in lengths starting at 26 inches, cut and washed individually to preserve ankle width and the original hem.
Hemming changes the construction for short men
Hemming a standard 30 inch inseam jean changes the original construction. Hemming jeans is done two ways. The first cuts, folds, and stitches. With this method, the original hem's wash fades are lost. The second method cuts the leg and reattaches the original hem. The reattachment is either visible from the inside or bulky and lays unnaturally.
Both methods widen the leg opening. A 30 inch inseam hemmed to 27 inches loses the taper built into the original pattern. Thread color and weight rarely match the other topstitching on the jean.
Leg opening width for short men is the same at every inseam length
Todd Shelton publishes leg opening widths in the size chart. They apply to every jean regardless of inseam length. Each pair is individually scaled and cut to meet those measurements. Leg opening width is confirmed before shipping.
Standard leg opening is available on all jeans. Slim (1/2 inch narrower) and Straight (1/2 inch wider) are available through Keys to the Factory, a made-to-order order method.
When jeans for short men are hemmed, the leg opening widens as the inseam shortens. A 26 inch inseam at Todd Shelton is cut and washed to 26 inches. Not taken from the shelf and hemmed.
How to measure your inseam at home
Men 5'8" and under typically wear a 26, 27, or 28 inch inseam. Find a pair of jeans you currently own that fit well. Lay them on a flat, rigid surface. Smooth out the fabric and keep the outseam straight. Place a measuring tape at the middle of the crotch seam, where the two legs meet. Extend the tape to the bottom hem.
Todd Shelton inseams are measured before shipping with a tolerance of 1/4 inch. A 26 inch inseam ships between 25 3/4 and 26 1/4 inches. All-cotton denim shrinks up to 1/2 inch over several launderings.
If your measurement falls between two lengths, order longer if you prefer the jean to cover more of your footwear. Order shorter if you prefer a clean line with no break.
Rise for short men
Rise requirements are determined by bone structure and body composition. Requests for rise adjustments from men who need short inseams are rare at Todd Shelton. Compare your target rise to the measurements in the size chart before ordering.
Inseams shorter than 26 inches
Inseams shorter than 26 inches are available on request. New customers should establish waist and fit through a Standard or a Fit check jean first, then request the preferred inseam at exchange. Confirm specific length capabilities before ordering.
Comments from customers
I don’t usually write reviews, but my first pair of Todd Shelton Classic 12 jeans absolutely deserve one. I wanted to wear the jeans a few times, too, before writing my review. I apologize for the length of the review, but I hope it helps someone. As a shorter guy, finding jeans that actually fit properly—without needing expensive tailoring—has always been a struggle. These are hands-down the best pair I’ve ever ordered. Fit: The fit is phenomenal. The proportions are clearly designed for shorter frames, not just “regular jeans made shorter.” The rise sits perfectly, the knee break hits where it should, and the taper is clean without being too skinny. No bunching at the ankles, no awkward stacking, no baggy thighs. I put them on and for the first time thought, these were actually made for me. Material: The 100% cotton denim feels premium right out of the box. Soft with just the right amount of stretch—comfortable enough for all-day wear but structured enough to hold its shape. They don’t sag after a few hours, and they move with you instead of feeling stiff. You can tell this isn’t cheap denim; it feels durable and well-constructed. Customer Service: Beyond the jeans, the customer service that Todd extended was outstanding. I had a quick sizing question before ordering and got a fast, thoughtful reply that helped me choose the perfect size. Then I was shipped a try-on pair just to make sure with free return shipping. I let Todd know that the sizing was awesome, sent back the try-on pair, and then waited for my jeans to be made. Shipping was smooth, and everything arrived exactly as promised. It’s rare to feel genuinely taken care of as a customer, but Todd and his crew nailed it. Overall, these jeans completely exceeded my expectations. If you’re a shorter guy tired of compromising on fit, these are 100% worth it. I’ll definitely be ordering another pair.
- Tyngsboro, MA
I've always been a Levi's guy bc they were always within my budget but then I would have to pay the tailor tax because I'm short. Although they fit length wise they wouldn't fit right, enter TS. What drew me to this brand is the fact that they are made in a America and their customer service as well as their attention to detail shows how much pride everyone at Todd Shelton takes in delivering quality products and ensuring that their customers are satisfied even after delivery. Thanks TS Team!
- Weehawken, NJ