Okay ladies, hands up if you’ve had to turn up a pair of trousers in the last month. Hands down if you’ve enjoyed it. The rest of you, welcome to my world……

Don’t get me wrong. I love my five foot two (and a half) frame. It makes me feel cute and adorable, plus I’m sure my mother told me men prefer shorter women to make them feel manlier. But not everybody loves it. My friend Amy hates it. “I find it hard to find clothes that fit me properly, especially trousers,” she’s confessed. “Also, I’d like longer legs.”

I know where she’s coming from though. When you’re short, buying trousers is the most difficult thing in the world. Most designers assume that because I’ve got what my mother calls “her good child-bearing hips” I must be a giant. When I try on a pair, there’s at least six inches worth of spare leg, and cropped trousers reach mid-ankle.

Needless to say, hemming them up is my least favourite option. I’m a full time student with two part-time jobs and a boyfriend who takes up lots of time. Sewing isn’t my strong point, and turning up trousers takes at least an hour. There is a seamstress in the city centre, but she charges five pounds a pair; not something my student budget can afford. Especially when you consider that I buy trousers like normal people buy food.

For a while, I took the trendy option and just hacked the extra off and left the ends jagged and frayed, but (unfortunately) that’s been and gone now. Good old Mum did teach me how to hem them up properly before I left home and made me practice on a pair of jeans, so this is a feather in my hat, but honestly? I hate it.

I was ready to throw my hands up and swear that trousers would never grace my wardrobe again. (Does this sound familiar, anyone?) But then, completely by accident, I discovered Miss Selfridge’s petite range. Aimed at people five foot three and under, it features items from the regular range, but aimed at the little people. Warily, I tried on a size 14, prepared for the excess material, but there was none! The hem touched the ground when I was barefooted, but when I slipped my trainers on, they were perfect. At last!

All of a sudden, a new world had opened up to me. It was as if everyone was featuring a petite range. Topshop does an entire range of clothes in petite sizes and is fantastic for trousers and skirts. Their miniskirts are actually mini, and cropped trousers end where they were meant to.

Dorothy Perkins has introduced a similar range, and, joy of joy, student discount at both of the above. Move aside food; there are trousers to buy!

Also good for trousers is New Look, as it offers all its trousers with leg lengths from 30-34 inches and in all the sizes. This is the perfect place to pop into to get a pair of black trousers for work because they stock a variety of styles, all with the varied leg lengths. With prices from around £20, there’s really no excuse not to.

For an even better bargain, try Matalan. They carry trousers in all styles, with all leg lengths catered for and styles trendy enough for even Victoria Beckham. If it’s good enough for her, it must be good enough for the rest of us.

Also good for a bargain check out web based Look Again. It does everything in a petite version, with jeans short enough for even the shortest out there with a 27 and a half-inch inseam. Prices start at £25 so you can afford to go a bit wild and invest in several pairs.

For the label bunnies out there, try Liz Claiborne’s ‘Elisabeth’ range. All trousers and jeans have a 30 inch inside seam, which makes them a little long on any one under five four in flats, but perfect for teaming with a pair of heels for a special night out. They dress up spectacularly, but be warned: glamour comes with a price. Jeans start at £100 and head up from there. The best thing to do is shop around. Most shops on the high street offer a petite range, and hopefully the big names will follow soon. Petite D&G jeans anyone?

Once you’ve found a brand that fits, it’s a good idea to stock up on them, as styles come and go, but jeans and trousers are never that different. It’s better to have three of the same pair in reserve for when you wear out the current ones than not to find anything at all. People will just assume that it’s the same pair and won’t give it a second thought.

Just a final word to the really petite: most shops only do petite wear from size ten upward. If you can’t find anything in the adult shops, return to your childhood and head to Tammy or your nearest child’s section. This really is a lifesaver for the tiny and thin out there, according to four foot eleven size six Jenny Graham.

At the end of the day, if you just can’t find anything short enough, go and buy a pair of heels. It’s a valid excuse for a new pair of shoes and what girl can argue with that? Shoe shopping beats sewing any day.

- Article by Sarah Davies