Todd Shelton logo

Jeans for short men

Todd Shelton makes all-cotton jeans in 26 and 27 inch inseams in the USA. Available in waist sizes 28–40, four thigh fits, and standard and high rise. Men 5'8" and under typically wear a 26 or 27 inch inseam.

Why short jeans are hard to find

Hemming has made short inseams an afterthought. Brands stock longer lengths and hem down. 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.

Why hemming doesn't work 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. 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 is the same for short men across all inseam lengths

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.

post hero image

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.